I know what you’re thinking. She’s doing another internship?
Why yes, yes I am. As a “seasoned” intern, I want to make the case for why you should take that second or even third internship (even if it’s unpaid). If you’re contemplating calling it good after your first internship, read this. It just might change your mind.
We all know the importance of networking. But networking can only get you so far, especially when you’re a student whose still got some coursework to go. An internship is not only a foot in the door to a potential job, but it is a whole leg-in on a network of resources. Make a positive impression and treat your internship as an audition. Because even if you don’t ultimately land employment, your manager might be able to help you at some point during your career.
The more experiences you have under your belt, the better. Take any chance you get to stay connected to the professional world. There is nothing more important than starting an entry level job already knowing how to fit in. Without multiple internships, I would have had no idea how to ask for feedback, how to organize an inbox (color-coding!), how to really dress on casual Friday, and most importantly, that these rules change from job to job.
One of the more important things I’ve learned through interning is not to settle. Right off the bat when I landed my first internship, I was ecstatic and thought that I had accepted my dream job. Despite feeling good going into it, I quickly learned that it was not the right fit, which eventually pushed me to pursue my second internship. Continue challenging yourself to branch out, and get serious about finding what interests you. I took that leap of faith, and devoted more unpaid hours to a different setting, and let me tell you, it paid off.
Go the extra mile and take that next internship. I promise you it’s not as crowded when you’re applying with experience in hand, and the results can be well worth it.
About Hannah
Hannah Anderson was ACPR’s Spring Intern and a big fan of downtime. You can find her cuddling up watching TED Talks with a cup of ginger tea and a heaping portion of chips and guac. A version of this article originally appeared on the ACPR blog.
