When I started my freshman year at Gettysburg College, landing an internship seemed like a distant dream. Yet, I secured one and it has turned out to be one of the most transformative experiences of my college journey.

How it all started

During my first semester, I started applying to many internships, got rejected from most of them, and was still being considered by some of them. I attended a job fair (intended for upperclassmen students) to get a feeling of how it is to be in the job market for college kids. I had printed out my resume beforehand and gave it to all the people that I've talked with hoping they'd consider me. Fortunately enough, there were quite a number of them willing to hire me as our needs aligned (photography & videography), but I couldn't join them as they were only offering part-time jobs, and international students on student visas were not allowed to work off-campus.  

Then I saw a poster saying "Inspiring People & Places". Got confused and wanted to get to know more. Picked up their flyer and noticed 'fun', 'creativity', and 'entrepreneurial spirit' in the core values and immediately went to talk with the person advertising it. After a short introduction, I got to know that he's also a Gettysburg Alumni (then got his masters from Columbia and UPenn) and has been in Afghanistan! I realized that was my moment to bring up any topics that I thought were common among us and guess what...It worked! He told me that they hire people based on their story and personal characteristics, and bring what the person can bring into the company. I told him I could help out with video editing which in the end resulted in me getting hired as a marketing intern. 

I'm interning at mcfa, a small veteran-owned business, which to my realization operates completely differently than ordinary companies, creating a different set of challenges (which I'm not including in this post because it's too long xD).

Why Internships Matter

Internships are like a bridge between academic life and the professional world, offering benefits that go far beyond textbooks and lectures.

There are several reasons why every student should try to land an internship: 

1. Real-World Experience: Internships let you step out of the classroom and into the real world. You get to see how the theories you learn are applied in everyday scenarios.

2. Skill Development: From mastering technical skills to honing soft skills like communication and teamwork, internships help you grow in ways you might not expect. These experiences build your confidence and competence.

3. Networking Opportunities: The professional relationships you form during internships can open doors you never imagined. These connections can lead to mentorship, valuable advice, and even job offers down the road.

4. Enhanced Resume: Having an internship on your resume makes you stand out. It shows future employers that you have practical experience and a proactive attitude.

5. Path to Full-Time Employment: Many companies view internships as a trial period for potential full-time hires. Impressing during your internship can significantly boost your chances of landing a job offer after graduation. How else do you think students get employed at Google, huh?

6. Money. Do I even have to explain it?

p.s. The photo in the thumbnail was shot & edited by me on my dji mini 3 drone :)