I did not have a conventional fun-in-the-sun all day, every day sort of summer. Instead I had an 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. internship working in sales. This summer, I had a taste of the real world and what life is like after college. Throughout the course of just a few weeks this summer, I learned so much about myself, what I want out of life, and how the professional world works. Here are my main takeaways.
1. We are SO lucky to be in college.
Sleeping in until noon? Pulling all-night Netflix binge fests with no consequence? Going out on a Tuesday? Wearing Norts and a t-shirt every day? These are the comforts of college life you will SORELY miss when you're pulling yourself out of bed at 5:45 A.M. to iron your dress clothes and commute in morning traffic to work. The free coffee at work helps.
2. 9 to 5 jobs can consume your life.
Unless you plan accordingly, and schedule time for the things that are important to you, you can easily become work-obsessed. With a Monday through Friday 9-5 job you really have to put an effort into keeping up friendship, spending time with your family, and other hobbies you enjoy. It's not college, you can't just hit up your friends to go to happy hour at 2pm (no drinking on lunch break!) and you won't have the energy for late-night adventures to Waffle House at 3 am (sleep is too valuable!).
3. Money isn't everything
It's easy to feel pressured to go into a certain career just because it pays well. But at the end of the day do you really want to be miserable at a certain job, just so you can have a few more dollars in the bank? Or do you want to have a fulfilling career that you enjoy every day? Life can get crazy and it's easy to 'settle' for a good-paying job (especially in this job market), but if you don't like your job you'll end up unhappy fast. Money doesn't buy happiness, as cliche as that sounds. I've learned that good salary does not always equal happiness - and no big bucks salary is worth sacrificing your happiness.
4. "Dress for the job you want, not the job you have."
A wise coworker told me this during intern training week, and it really struck me. As much as I'd like to deny it, dressing in comfy shirts and yoga leggings will get you nowhere in the workplace. On the other hand, dressing nicely will make your coworkers think you have your life together, and will definitely give you an edge in the workplace. If you want to be a CEO, dress like one. I know it seems superficial, but it really does make a subconscious difference in how you are perceived by others in the workplace!
5. Speak out!
If you have an idea that you think could help the company, share it with your boss. If you have a business proposal you want to pitch, pitch it! If you see a solution to a problem, speak out and share your ideas. If you're not liking your current department, and think you'd work better in a different one, speak out! Talk to your boss and see where would be best for you and the company. Speak up for your ideas and beliefs. Employers love to see motivated and ambitious individuals. Stay curious. You'll go farther in life innovating your own ideas than following others'.
Now that my summer internship is over, I'll go and take a nice long nap.
