Kick Start Your Career

Claire Brumback graduated from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, with a minor in Women’s Studies. During her degree program, she interned at U.S. Kids Magazines at the Saturday Evening Post. She is currently an intern in the Public Affairs department at Indianapolis Power and Light Company.

Internships are a great kick start to your career, and most degree programs won’t let you graduate without having one. Real-world experience is just as important as all those classes you have been taking for the past few years.

Sometimes being an intern can be rough, but you have to start somewhere. Sometimes it can be overwhelming, but patience is key. If you’ve never had an internship before, here’s a list of some things you can expect.

1.  You will be assigned work that isn’t glamorous.

It’s not as bad as it sounds. There are some tedious, mundane tasks that need to be done in any work place, and the higher-ups just might not have time to get to them. That’s where you come in. You’ll have to send emails, make copies, work on those long spreadsheets  and maybe even go on those stereotypical coffee runs. It may not feel like you are contributing to the overall success of the company, but those small tasks aren’t as meaningless as they seem. Even though the projects can be boring and feel like busy work, keep your head up and be willing to help out any time that you can. You have to start somewhere. Just look at Drake; he started from the bottom, and now he’s here.

2.  You will be treated like an adult.

Being an intern is a wake-up call. You can’t call in sick if you partied a little too hard the night before or if you didn’t finish your homework for your evening class. You also can’t sit around on your phone all day or scroll through your social media newsfeed. You’ll be treated like an adult: you’ll have projects to complete, deadlines to meet, and meetings to attend. Some days you may not even have time to check your phone.

3.  There will be people you like and people you don’t like.

Just like any job, you may run into other employees that you don’t particularly like, which is perfectly normal. Of course, since you are being treated like an adult now, you have to act like an adult. If you have to work with someone you don’t like, you have to grin and bear it. On the other hand, there will be people you love working with, and you may even make new friends or connections in the field. However, if someone is not treating you with respect, that could be a problem. Just remember that you still deserve respect at your internship, and if you are not given it, don’t be afraid to talk to your supervisor or human resources department.

4.  There will be good days and bad days.

Some days will be better than others. Some days will be filled with stress and seem never-ending, but other days will be full of opportunities. If you continue to have bad days and don’t enjoy your time at the internship, then maybe that position isn’t right for you. Internships are designed as a trial run for students to ensure they have chosen the right career path for them. It’s okay if it’s not for you; just talk to an advisor so you can figure out a career path that would be more suitable for you.

5.  You may not get paid.

Unfortunately, a lot of internships are unpaid. My first internship at the Saturday Evening Post was unpaid, so I also had a part-time job on campus so I would have some money. It’s not ideal, but in most cases you are gaining valuable work experience to add to your resume, and you’re making connections in your field. My internship at the Saturday Evening Post eventually led to regular freelance gigs with the publication. In most cases, you can get college credit for an internship. I know experience and college credit doesn’t pay the bills, but the internship will be worth it. At the end of your internship, you will have plenty of skills to add to your resume.

6.  It all pays off in the end.

A lot of internships pave the way for full-time employment opportunities after college. According to a report by The National Associate of Colleges and Employers, students are more likely to land a job after graduation if they had an internship during college. A lot of entry-level positions still require at least one to two years of experience, and your internship will count toward that experience. If you have internship experience on your resume, future employees will know that you are dedicated to the field. Also, it shows that you were able to take what you learned in college and put it to use in the field.

Internships can be a lot of work, and it may not always be rainbows and butterflies. But, it will be worth it when you get offered that first job after (or even before) graduation. Keep your head up, stay patient, and start drinking coffee if you haven’t already. You’ve got work to do.