Having an internship is a significant achievement. It’s a win that comes with its challenges, especially when you realize it’s only temporary. Juggling multiple tasks, from actively working on one internship to searching for the next one, writing new cover letters, updating my rĂ©sumĂ©, and refreshing my portfolio, all while keeping up with the internship I already have, is a testament to my capabilities.
“It’s strange to be doing good work and still feel behind.”
The Never-Ending Application Cycle
I’m currently interning with a small arts organization. I document events, create content, design materials, and support the space’s day-to-day function. It’s meaningful, and I’ve learned a lot. But like many student internships, this one is part-time and semester-bound. While I’m still producing for this team, I’m also sending out emails, refreshing job boards, and crafting tailored applications for what comes next.
“Being a student and a creative often means treating your current internship like a stepping stone while giving it everything you’ve got.”
The emotional bandwidth it takes to do both is real and rarely discussed. The constant juggling of tasks, the pressure to perform well in all areas, and the fear of failure can be overwhelming. It’s not just about managing time but also emotions and mental well-being.
And Then There’s Everything Else
Internship aside, I’m also the president of the Ink Club, a fine arts community I’ve worked hard to revive. I live alone, manage my bills, and am enrolled in five demanding classes. I freelance on the side. I’m on the Dean’s List. And I have an autoimmune condition that adds unpredictability and fatigue to the mix. This condition often makes it difficult to predict how I’ll feel from one day to the next, adding an extra layer of challenge to an already packed schedule.
“It’s important to acknowledge that rest is crucial to the journey. Balancing ambition with survival often makes rest feel like a luxury, but it’s necessary.“
It’s okay to take a step back, recharge, and then continue the journey towards your goals. Some days, my calendar is color-coded within an inch of its life, and I still feel like I’m running on borrowed time. It’s not a matter of overcommitting—it’s a matter of doing what I must to make everything work.
Saying Yes to Growth, Even When It’s Hard
I say yes to every opportunity I can manage because I know their value. Whether it’s a freelance gig, a design competition, a club leadership event, or a new learning platform, I jump in because I want to build a future that doesn’t feel as uncertain as the present.
“I’m not chasing everything. I’m building something—slowly, strategically, and sometimes while exhausted.”
But it’s hard. I feel guilty when I slow down, and others assume I have it all together. I also feel pressure, and I feel a quiet frustration in knowing that pushing through isn’t always sustainable but often feels necessary.
Still, I Keep Going
I keep going, not because I have something to prove, but because I’m building something that matters. I want to be proud of the path I’m carving, even if it’s uneven and messy. The work I’m doing, even when it’s overwhelming, is meaningful. It reflects my resilience, resourcefulness, and refusal to shrink in uncertainty.
“I’m learning how to show up for my future while being gentle with my present.”
Final Thoughts
Balancing an internship while applying to more, running a club, living alone, managing health, staying afloat in school, and doing freelance work is not glamorous. It’s tiring. It’s real. But it also reflects resilience, resourcefulness, and refusal to shrink in uncertainty.
“This season is hard, but it’s not empty. Every effort I make now is a vote for the kind of life I’m working toward.”
And that’s worth holding onto.