Interning During the College School Year
Prime Opportunity and Unexpected Circumstances
After a summer of hard work and a jam-packed schedule, the last thing I expected myself to be doing this Fall Quarter was having an internship. I have been fortunate enough to find two different internships through my connections at DePaul University, and they have resulted in summers of incredible experiences, new skillsets, and a broadened perspective on the world and my career. However, I was taught to never turn down an opportunity, and so when the sister organization to the non-profit I worked for this year asked me to be in a new role for a September-December role, I said yes!
So, when Fall Quarter started up, I had already kickstarted my internship program and scheduled times to work between classes. With more work, there is the excuse to spend more time looking academic in coffee shops (cheers to Beatrix Market in the Loop campus), so it has been both a learning experience and a fun past time!
Advocating for Balance
People assume that internships need to be during the summer since they take over your life, but I found that companies will meet you where you are and build a flexible schedule that works for you (and your work-life-school balance). I identified gaps between course lectures and my other jobs and instead of doomscrolling on TikTok, I focused on internship tasks like planning corporate events for the Fall season! It might mean that my backpack looks ridiculously full, but I am known for overpacking anyway. I bring my work laptop, regular laptop, notebook, lunch, and gym clothes with me, so I can just stay out and about during the day. It gets the job done!
I accepted my position as a hybrid format, so I can work on my own time during the week while still getting that in-person experience most Fridays. The role is outside of Chicago so it would not be feasible for me personally to work in-person every day.
Learning Time Management
In my opinion, time management is the number one most important skill to develop by the time you finish college. We talk about it in class a lot and what everyone says is that if you cannot keep track of when opportunities show up, they will pass you by. It is a disservice to future you, and starting now makes it an easy habit to carry beyond graduation. Working an internship during the school year seems daunting and impossible- especially if it is not your only job- but if you find the right fit, it is manageable and exciting! I have built up my confidence in the workplace through this role and it directly goes back to my ability to succeed in the classroom.
Overall, I think that we should all try to combat the assumption that having an internship with a full-time academic schedule is miserable and impossible. It has been such a fun and rewarding experience for me, and for many other students I talked to before accepting my position. It is as close as you can get to that full-time schedule that will be waiting post-grad, and can not only give you the option of a carefree summer, but also often has less competition than the mass applications for summer roles! Do not be afraid of academic term internships- they can be the time of your life… and also the connection you need for a secured role after you graduate!
~Breanne