So, I feel like its been an eternity since I last posted, and in the age of technology it kind of has been. I had said I would post every Wednesday and beyond failed that one. I also failed at my senior year resolution of trying something new every week, forcing myself out of my comfort zone. I am trying new things, but not quite how I had pictured it. The biggest new thing being that I am now an intern.
One thing I have learned recently that I'm amazed I didn't know before, is how important an internship can be when job searching. Showing you have experience in your field is a huge leg up when employers are comparing resumes. Good grades just doesn't cut it any more unfortunately. If the resume builder isn't winning you over, it is a chance to work temporarily in your field and see if it is something you'd be able to do for the next 30-40 years. I've recently thrown all of my life plans in the trash because I was/am completely burnt out on school and the previous plan required a Ph.D. I'm not saying I will never go back to that, but for now I'm just not in the right place. In the meantime I've got to come up with something because I am definitely not working retail for the rest of my life.
So far the internship has been great. I don't have a lot of free time anymore but its worth it. After realizing that I really wasn't up to Graduate school I was of the mind frame that I had just wasted 4 years and roughly $80,000 on a degree that would do nothing for me. The internship has been a reminder that there is more than one use for a Political Science degree. I'm not getting paid to be there or anything but the people in the office are fun and I am definitely pushing the edges of my comfort zone in a good way. I'm making connections for future jobs and gaining experience in the catch-22 world that requires experience to be hired but you can't get experience until you are hired.
If I've convinced you to look into the whole thing but don't know where to start, here's a few tips. Ask professors in your department. If they are up to date in their field they probably know a few places in the area that are looking for people specialized in whatever your major is. Pay attention/actually read department emails. Usually they send out information on opportunities as they become aware of them and they might have running partnerships with businesses you just have to apply for. Last but not least, Google. Search engines are our friends. I spent a nice chunk of time looking around and found out there's such a thing as an online internship that is set up basically as a work from home situation. With this set up you can intern for a company that's hundreds of miles away as long as you have internet connection.
I hope this isn't seen as annoying or me just trying to post things that universities preach about. I honestly had no idea about most of this and I figured if I didn't there was probably someone else out there who just might stumble upon this post and learn from my mistakes. I hope everyone is in good health and I will post again soon.
-Erin
