Author: Tiana Twist

Early Friday morning around 9:30 I got my welcoming email to my internship. Where I will be working for a non-profit organization that uses cause marketing to raise money to give back to different charities in need. This hit home for me because as a young adult I was actively helping with my church to facilitate and lend a hand to different charities. Helping in the organization of fairs and food drives for the needy. So working with this non-profit was right up my alleyway. I was super excited to apply my artistic and design abilities to any given task. Seeking to show what I have to offer and make my mark.

Nevertheless, I started Tuesday after facing technical difficulties from not being able to get into my personal email for my internship. After which, I got to schedule my first one-on-one (1:1) meeting with my supervisor. He briefs me on what the non-profit organization is, the different employees that work there, the head of it all, and my roles and tasks as an intern. I was required to assist in the social media area helping in the creation of social media posts and graphics for different events and advertising campaigns happening. The following day at the weekly meeting where we all get to express what we are all working on, where we stand, and tasks that need to be completed. I got to meet the head/ person in charge of the social media area. The founder of the non-profit and another person who specializes in animations and motion graphics. I even got to meet two of the other interns from the different internship class sessions. The other employees weren’t able to make it due to the time difference and being busy at that time.

Moreover, it was a nice change and experience for me. We were all over the state in different time zones all coming together for a cause and networking. This non-profit organization is a tight-knit group. All ready to pitch in and lend a helping hand when each other falter. They are all there for each other to assist with any skills or help if the other is stuck. This is showcased when the head of social media outreach and advertising needed a couple of animations for different blog posts. Another employee was quick to jump in and assist. Many times we don’t often see that in the workplace so it was nice to see how they all work as one oiled machine.

Well for starters the way how my mind was set up. Since I got accepted in one internship the others didn’t matter. The one internship that asked when we could have met to discuss things. I sense that they weren’t really serious even when I did a follow-up with them. Also, the way how the first email was written states a lot too and the first impression wasn’t the greatest. I still haven’t even heard back from them either as the days went by. The other internship was scheduled for the following week. I made sure to thank them for giving me an opportunity in applying and setting up an interview.

However, at this moment since I had already gotten an internship position I will have to decline at the moment. The young lady was very nice and she wished me all the best and hope to see me soon again in the near future. From this internship hunt, I’ve learned that things don’t always go according to plan. What we think might be a smooth sailing journey has its bumps that we have to over cross. Secondly, always trust the process because something will always work out no matter what the cost is and how things are being portrayed. A plan is always set in motion for us that we don’t see.

With one week gone by and no answers. My nerves were all over the place and I’d say slight anxiety kicked in. Mainly because I was worried I wouldn’t get any internship positions. I started to think that maybe I wouldn’t pass the class since I had no internship. However, like they say “stars can’t shine without darkness” and this was just the calmness before the storm. I’d say on my second day or was it the third day in that week I got two replies both requesting for me to send in my resume. The quickness I responded to that was an understatement. I felt a sense of ease and my nerves were finally calming down. I later got another response requesting if we can schedule a time to meet. By, the afternoon I had another meeting for the following week, another that same day at 5:00 o’clock. At this point, things were looking good and I was positive that I could land one of these internship opportunities.

As the class was over I rushed home to get in my interview. Of course, I did have a wave of nervousness hit me like a ton of bricks. I called my mom asking her what to do and basically, venting out the pent-up nervousness I had. Like any mother would do she calm my racing nerves and assured me that it will all be okay. She even assured me that it was okay to be nervous it shows that I would have a balanced mindset and not come across as too overly confident. Hanging up the call with my mom I hopped into the Google Meets meeting with my employer. Luckily, he was lenient and was very patient with me since I was just arriving home.

This interview was very different, to be honest. I guess he could have told me I was nervous beyond measure. Nevertheless, creating a calm and relaxed atmosphere. Steering the interview down into a conversational piece as if it’s two people simply sitting and chatting over some coffee. He went over the roles and what the organization was all about. What they stand for and what their mission was. By 5:30 – 5:45, the interview was over and I was accepted. I was shocked but so happy the nerves were gone and I internally relaxed. No need to stress anymore.

I ended up calling my mom after because she too was anxious and worried about the outcome. When I told her the news she was happy and we both celebrated over the phone.

In my internship journey finding an internship was a little be hard and stressful. I thought I was pretty much behind. This made me feel overwhelmed, however, I realize my fellow classmates were in the same situation as me trying to find an internship. My Professor also reassured me that it was normal as well to not have an internship as yet. I have applied to many different places but was still awaiting some responses. Which lessen the stress but it still kept me on the edge. Nevertheless, I look forward to what my internship has in store for me.