#internshipadvice

So yes, it’s true, I’ve graduated from University with a BA Honours Degree in photography, I am beyond excited but also overwhelmed with emotions. There are so many damn questions I’ve not just asked myself but been asked by family and friends from the get go. What am I going to do now that I’ve graduated? Am I going to get myself a job? How am I going to get myself a job? What kind of job would you love to have and why? Would you stay at home or will you move out straight away? Are you going to go travelling? I could go on and on but you get the idea...

So my first thoughts were to just freak out. I have always had this organised plan in my head about how my life should work. School, college university and then... nothing... I didn’t actually get that far yet and then bam, I’ve graduated from university and now I’m in a bit of blank zone... I literally see nothing in front of me. I didn’t ever expect myself to have to plan so far ahead. Nor for university to fly by so quickly. Scary. 

I went on a massive job hunt, where I applied for over 45 photography related jobs, I planned to go away on holiday to Mexico (I plan to write a separate blog about that whole entire adventure later on in the week) and hope to come back to a few replies, maybe even some interviews if I was lucky. 

So many ‘no’ emails, so many ‘we are so grateful you applied for this job with us but we’ve found someone better suited, with better skills in this job role... bla bla bla’

Never give up, I know it can probably be the worst thing ever hearing back from all these declined job opportunities but trust me, all your hard work and persistence will pay off. It finally did for me, after so many ignored job offers and so many no emails, I managed to land myself an amazing PR and Marketing Internship with an incredible family based photography business in Central London... I even heard from them on the day of graduation. Phewwww sigh of relief. 

I will post a different blog post next week or so about what’s been going on with this internship of mine as it’s worth giving anyone some sort of advice about how internships work, the pros and cons etc. 

Right, I’m sleepy. 

I’d like to leave you by telling you that hard work will pay off, stay determined, I know it will be very hard when you are pushed further and further back with criticism and decide job offers but take it all on board. You’ll thank them for pushing you to strive for me later on in life... I promise.

Call me old-school, but I will definitely have a map in my bag. You never know.

D.C., here I come!

I though I’d write a series of blog posts about my upcoming internship in Washington DC. I am super excited, no doubt! Besides overcoming the challenges of the housing market and mastering the transportation system, I look forward to getting a foothold in the field I see myself in: International nonprofits. My position at the International Center for Journalists (http://www.icfj.org/) will give me a chance to combine Journalism with PR. I just love the cross-cultural programs and the impact the organization has on people’s lives around the globe!

The preparation phase:

I’ve been reading articles and blogs about DC to get a better feeling for the dynamics of the city. It seems like it is a vibrant city full of ambitious, young people.

Here’s an entertaining (and anonymous) blog fueled by thoughts and anecdotes of DC interns: http://dcinterns.blogspot.de/

The Washington Post even has it’s own section for DC interns called “Your guide to interning in DC”. Very interesting: http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/special%20reports/intern-city/

But my absolute favorite blog is this one: “Tips and Tricks for the District’s Newbies” https://soyourenewtodc.wordpress.com/. You get tips about the metro system, monuments, museums, useful apps, movie theaters, laws, universities, food and much more. Great blog!

Internship preparation: Having a smooth start at your internship is so important. No one wants a confused intern, right? This book called “All Work, No Pay” by Lauren Berger (or the self-proclaimed “Intern Queen”) gives helpful advice on finding an internship, rocking the interview and succeeding during the internship. With its short but detailed chapters it is definitely a great investment for interns who want to get the most out of their experience. Here’s a link to Lauren Berger’s website: http://www.internqueen.com/