I remember sitting in the communications office my first week at WMU, feeling like a lost freshman and having no idea why I was there. I mean, I knew I was there for advising, but being my first time in the office and all, I really didn’t know what to expect. Was I supposed to ask a bunch of questions? Or was I supposed to sit back and let them do all the talking? I remember two things about that day though:
- As I was sitting in the chairs awaiting my turn with an advisor, two students emerged from the elevators talking about the internship opportunities they both had. One female was quite optimistic about her internship that she had just completed at a newspaper the summer leading up to the fall semester, and another male was talking about a radio internship he would be starting not long after. One thing was clear though: these two obviously had a clear-cut direction after graduation.
- The other thing I remember was sitting in an office with a lady whom I later found out was the head communications advisor. It was the most intimidating meeting I’d ever had, and I remember leaving that day with tears in my eyes by the time I’d reached my dorm room. During that meeting, I was asked why I wanted to be in the journalism program at WMU, and I blanked. I had absolutely NO idea what I was saying, and my mind was a sea of nothing in that moment. It was horrible. But I got over it, and now, three years and three major changes later, I stuck with my original area of study and am almost done.
So my advice to everyone is this: do not get discouraged, and do not give up. No matter what challenges are thrown your way, and how many people try to rain on your parade, keep your head held high and believe in yourself. If you set your mind to something, and truly stick to your goals, you can and will succeed.
And also, GET AN INTERNSHIP! It doesn’t matter where, or what you do, but real life experience is always taken into consideration, and prepares you for the real world. If you don’t believe me, you should… I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed when it’s over.
Tags: blog college internships advice wmu
