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I Skipped the Internship and Paid the Price - You Don't Have To

Why an Internship is Important

A silhouette figure facing a window overlooking a city skyline.
Why an Internship is Important
 

Author's Note

I'll likely edit this article in the future.

Posting it now just so I have something on the website.

 

Note to my Past Self

 

Something I regret in my undergrad was not getting an internship.

And I emphasize this with my mentees and anyone seeking "advice."

("" because advice is subjective)


Sure -

Fellowships and research experiences are nice,

But tangible experience showing industry prowess is helpful headed into the job market after school.


An internship is more essential than ever.


 

2019

Campus scene with colorful autumn trees, green lawns, paths, and buildings. People walking under a sunny sky with distant water view.
Highline College. I did my Associates in Computer Science.

Sophomore year of college. 

I downplayed the idea of an internship because I thought they were "overrated."

I'm seeing others applying and scoring internships while I'm still trying to fathom the big deal behind them.


For context, I was doing Computer Science at the time.

And practically every Comp.Sci major did an internship -

I was the exception.

No surprise there.


The Case for Mentorship

However, to my case,

I was mentor-less.

(Apparently, mentors were a thing?)


In fact,

If I could turn back time,

I'd get my 19-YO-Self a mentor

'Cause even he doesn't know he needs one.


But I digress.


We was discussing internships.

That was 2019.

 

2020

A cozy home office desk with a laptop, keyboard, lamp, and a mug by a window. Patterned wallpaper and natural light create a warm ambiance.
Zoom University - 2020

Mwaka wa COVID (Swahili)

The Year of COVID

Everything went virtual, clearly.

The idea of an internship still didn't hit me, let alone a virtual one.

 

2021

At the end of Junior year, months after joining NSBE,

I hit my

"OH SNAP, I NEED AN INTERNSHIP!!!"

moment.


I think I noticed their importance and value-add to your resume plus overall professional experience.

Plus the idea of firms willingly giving you three months to "work" and "get paid", then return to school with a fat bank account (for a college student) plus tons of experience, that appealed to me.


↳ That was when I wanted an internship.

↳ And realized I NEEDED an internship.


At least I tried within the few weeks of getting my act (and resume) together, applying hitherto - A decent resume for what it was worth.


Nada.

 

2022

I attained some real luck scoring some interviews, yet no internship.

Three years prior, that would've been acceptable…but not when you're graduating in six months.

That's not to say I didn't work the hardest I ever did those six months to eventually land my current job.

 

Reflection

I chronologize this not out of regret

(I have none)

But to depict how things would've emerged differently from the beginning.


In other words,

Had I pursued an internship in 2019, 

My trajectory would likely have been different. 

But I'm glad it ended up as so...as God is never wrong.

And I'm not complaining. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯


Two Lessons:

  1. An internship is vital - It cultivates your interests early on.

  2. Once you acknowledge the above, get an internship pronto.

 

Kids,

Don't be like Uncle Titus.

Get an internship ASAP.


Peace out.

.

.

.

~T.K.K

 

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