I’ll Take an Internship over Some Job

Drip. drip. drip.

I stood there, amidst the drizzle as I waited to walk out onto the field for Miami University’s graduation ceremony. I looked around the sea of red surrounding me. Thousands of spry, soon-to-be grads were celebratory in their tones, filled with relief that they’ve made it.

But there was uncertainty in some of the voices as well… Those voices were the ones questioning, “what’s next?” And it hit me then… How fortunate am I to walk across the stage with a full-time job?

*the picture below sums up the feeling*

DOUGLAS CHAN PHOTOGRAPHY

The path wasn’t easy though, and it was extremely humbling.

Knowing that I’d be done in December, I began searching for jobs over the summer. My degrees are in journalism and entrepreneurship, and I knew I didn’t want to go into TV, so then what? Sure, I could follow the millennial trend of going down the start-up path, but I wanted something more structured and more guaranteed. Hence came my search for public relations jobs.

I quickly learned that without prior PR experience, it would be challenging to land a great job as I didn’t possess some of the skills and understanding needed to be successful. And so, my proud self had to come back down to earth and apply for internships. This was the only way I could get into PR.

Looking back on the last four months, I am so glad things worked out the way they did. I was able to use and further enhance my writing & pitching skills, and become a better teammate, all while creating value for a client. I wasn’t scrutinized for mistakes, and my job wasn’t on the line if I failed at something. On the contrary, I GREW. 

That is what internships do for you – they allow you to get familiar with an industry and envision yourself at the company. If it’s not the right fit, no problem, just move forward. But if it is, it blooms into a beautiful thing and makes the transition into #adulthood that much sweeter (and easier).

After I received an offer last week, a coworker and I were discussing how fortunate we both were to work in a field pertaining to our undergraduate education. We both knew so many people that settled – they chose random full-time jobs just for the sake of having a job, versus sucking it up and completing an internship post-grad instead.

So, if you are reading this and this is you, don’t settle. Embrace ambiguity and do the opposite of what society tells you to. There is nothing to be embarrassed about having to tell someone you are interning… If anything, that experience will set you up for further success, and make the transition into a full-time employee much smoother, as it did for me. It is better to do what you love, even as an intern.

“Choose a job you love, and you will never work a day in your life.” – Confucius

I am excited to officially begin my journey as an assistant account executive at Falls Communications located in Cleveland, OH. Coolest part? I get to work in Terminal Tower, a landmark skyscraper.

XO,

Karolina

P.S. If you are in need of an internship or need another set of eyes on your resume/portfolio, please don’t hesitate to reach out  Always happy to lend a hand.

P.S.S. Thank you to my family, fiance, mentors, etc. for being patient as I embarked on this journey. Couldn’t do it without you.