As an economics student, “Spring Weeks” and Summer internships are part of my academic culture. The first time I became truly stressed about post-graduation life was second week of second year, when I was interrogated over what one-week internship programmes I’d applied for that coming Easter (what the finance bros call “Spring Weeks”).
Spurred on by peer pressure, I frantically started applying to schemes I didn’t even care about, all so I could calm a growing sense of fear that I had no clue what I wanted to pursue after university.
I didn’t do a Spring Week. What I did do was some time volunteering with a charity in Ibiza. I think I learnt more through helping people than I would have stuck behind a desk. I certainly complained less than my friends who got random “Spring Weeks” they loathed.
By third year, internship fever was widespread. And yet again I caved. Having sent off applications to a slew of companies, banks and financially lucrative, morally corrupt positions, I felt disillusioned. Was this it?
On a whim, having gained some journalism experience and developed a love for writing, I applied to another internship completely different to the rest of the beige finance and consulting schemes I’d already half-heartedly thrown myself at in a bid to be respectable, mature and practical.
I sent in an application to a publishing house.
That’s how I ended up spending two weeks living the best Bridget Jones fantasy ever. A fortnight in London reading and chatting books, working on publicity and marketing projects, and gaining experience in the corporate world while enjoying the safety of a cosy, creative company. I loved every minute.
Ironically, I’ve now secured a position in a different sector post-graduation but one that’s vaguely adjacent. But I don’t think that’s really the point, the point is I gained experience, saw a new world and earned some money, all whilst having a laugh.
Returning to the constricting reality of economics lectures and tutorials alongside friends who spent their internships staring at spreadsheets, I realised I had been able to gain a new perspective on the world and do something actually interesting. No one wants to hear about B2B sales (it’s a corporate business thing) on a study break, but it’s always a kick pointing out books in Waterstones that I saw before they were published.
Internships should serve you, not the other way round. Don’t stress if you don’t get one. You’ll be much more interesting if you pursue what you love, and when you’re facing soul-crushing interviews for jobs later on, you’ll stand out more if you’ve done something you are interested in. Ultimately, experience can come in a manifold of different ways. Relax, you’re going to be fine.
“Busy Simulating Work” by Mark Turnauckas is licensed under CC BY 2.0.