What I Did:
I interned at an agency, doing public relations. This was my first time working in an office, and in a big city that I had never lived in before. It was an unpaid internship, but my boss was willing to take a chance on me because I had very little experience pertaining to public relations.
I helped with editing, reports, quality assurance, cold calling... I also did little errands like getting lunch. Typical intern duties.
How I Did It:
I did a summer internship during my sophomore year in college. This was the smartest thing I did because I realized before I graduated that I did not want to pursue public relations. It was one of the most stressful environments.
But I met really fun, and around my same age co-workers. We still keep in touch today and laugh about our experiences. I hung out with them from time to time.
I learned that I am a valuable asset in the workplace. I realized I worked harder than most people. I worked like I was earning money. I earned currency in the form for a stellar recommendation letter and an offer for me to complete an internship next year. Although I ended up working with another firm with a paid internship, my manager ended up being a good reference for me.
Advice
- Get a college internship in the field of your choice, this way you'll find out if you love or hate it before you graduate and get stuck in a full time job with real bills to pay
- Learn to be humble. Have to get lunch? Ok. Run errands? Can do. Although it's one of those pesky things, once you rise up in the ranks, this will no longer be required of you
- Work hard, but also explore. On the weekends, if you are living away for the summer, go places, see people, meet people, do things!
- I realized what I can handle and what I can't handle. What I like to do, what I don't like to do, my strengths and weaknesses
