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(0) CommentsSay “yes” (even when it’s easier to say “no”)
I was recently taken by an entry on the AU Interns blog by Kate, an AU graduate student and summer intern with the Danish Refugee Council in Liberia. In it, Kate advises readers to say “yes” to opportunities to try and learn new things. While this seems like a fairly simple concept, it can be difficult in reality when you’re faced with school, work and social activities. Still, this is an incredibly important lesson for new professionals and a great reminder for those who have been in the workplace for a while.
Meeting new people and developing new skills can provide personal enrichment and enhance your career possibilities. And living in DC provides you with countless opportunities to have these experiences. Attending a networking event, taking a language course, setting up an informational interview with a colleague at your internship, or even chatting with the person sitting next to you at a Nationals game could open doors you never dreamed of.
So, the next time you’re faced with an opportunity to see and learn something new, just say “yes!”
(Thanks to Kate for this great tip!)
Minna Scherlinder Morse is discussing. 
I was recently approached by a Master’s student with a similar question–how important is getting an internship, particularly when a student is facing financial hurdles. This is what I wrote him, for what it’s worth:
Dear X:
The goal/s of internships are manifold: to get experience in the field, to broaden your network, and to gauge the kinds of roles and work-atmospheres you like and don’t like in a new career niche.
As someone who needs to work to pay the rent, you’re going to need to do all those things over time, but you won’t likely be able to do the one-stop shopping of a traditional internship.
So here are a few ideas:
If there’s a way to add relevant experience to your job duties, try to do so
Network strategically with much of the free time you have. I don’t know what stage of career planning or transition you’re in, and that will dictate what makes strategic sense now, but think informational interviewing and even (once you have some connection with someone doing what you’re interested in) shadowing for a day or two as ways to gain familiarity with types of work, workplaces, and as a way to broaden your network.
Take on whatever small projects you can fit in between the other demands of your schedule. Again, what kinds of projects make sense will depend on what your goals are, but something to think about.
Is there a way to create a sort-of-internship (i.e. low time commitment per week) with someone doing exactly the kind of work you want to do: i.e., is there anything you can offer in terms of service to a potential mentor in the field, that you can do in your off hours (and only in your off hours), that will help you contribute to a professional project, and gain you access to professionals in the field?
Just produce. With whatever time you have. Just do it. On your own. Then share the results.
Point is–internships aren’t the goal. Products that prove your talent, experience in the field, awareness of the realities of the field, and a beefed-up network…. those are the fruits of internships. But there are other trees in the garden. Go, eat.