I am writing to deliver you some more insight on why internships are the best. This isn’t my first rodeo talking about my internship experiences. Back in August of 2021, I shared what I learned from my summer internship with the Director of Marketing at a Buffalo based Rubber & Gasket company. Some of the key takeaways were that your first day might not be as bad as you think, even bad experiences can teach you something, and step out of your comfort zone because you might be pleasantly surprised OR you’ll be one step closer going in the right direction.
This spring semester, I started my second internship experience with the Director of Communications in a school district in the greater Rochester area. Working for a public entity, like an education system, is an entirely different ball game from my initial internship experience with a private company/sole proprietorship. I’m held to standards of professionalism that a lot of other students in internships don’t necessarily have to uphold. I am required to maintain confidentiality, follow a dress code, and carry myself with the district’s image in mind. Despite only being seen as a temporary intern, I am a form of an employee and need to act as such. On the topic of confidentiality and representing the district’s image, there’s only so much I can say. As someone who chose the communications field so that they could talk all the time and hear their words make a difference, sometimes keeping my mouth shut is not a norm for me! Thankfully, my internship experience with this district has been nothing short of amazing, and I only have good things to say.
My mentor has really taken me under her wing. Not only do I feel supported in my educational/internship journey but on my journey as a lifelong learner and young adult finding her way! I’ve been invited to take part in almost any experience that I am welcome so I can absorb as much information as possible while interning with them. These experiences, activities, and events are so diverse. One day I could be doing desk work to better my public relations and communications skills and another day I could be interacting with the students in the school buildings watching them do fun stuff! My summer internship taught me I am someone that needs a vast diversity of tasks in their future career. This current internship solidified those needs. Getting closer to understanding my needs and wants in a future career is a big win! That’s what internships do best, they help point you in the right direction of those needs and wants.
It is with absolute confidence and truth that I can tell you I am loving the work I am doing in my current position. I help create and edit print and digital publications. I curate and inspire social media posts, specifically working with one of the elementary schools to supplement their online image. I work to understand AP styling and website content and compliance. Most importantly, my input is being considered as an advantage to helping uphold this school’s promise to its community. I’ve been shown through my relationships in this district that my work matters. I am valued as an individual and treated with so much kindness, which is really important to me. The most valuable lesson I’ve taken from my internship so far is the power of inspiration. My mentor is very passionate and inspired by the work that she does inside and outside of the building. Her drive and love for this field is seen in every presentation and interaction. I strive to reach a level of passion for my life’s work that is similar to hers. I’m very fortunate to have had this opportunity and to have had it make such an impact on my personal and professional life.
