Every year, the month of May brings a refreshing wave of change for college students across the world. The long-awaited return of beach weather and finals finished and forgotten, combined with the move back to their hometowns, young adults also find themselves scrambling for cash, usually in two forms: internship and minimum wage job.
There is more to be said about these between-class side quests than people seem to talk about, such as their effect on the current college generation who is still getting used to summers spent on the clock rather than filling the day with fulfilling endeavors.
These kids are taking their first steps into the adult working world and are faced with routines and schedules that leave them scrambling for the simple summers of the past. Upon interviewing some students to see their view on their own experiences, these side quests are not only teaching this generation about work life but also deep, intricate understandings of themselves.
The first person interviewed is Amanda Weiss, who interned at a law firm and carefully shadowed the intricate and heavy workload of a lawyer.
“One thing I learned about myself is that I am very determined. After going into the office and seeing how much work it truly is to become a lawyer, I realized that I really do want to become one. When assigned work I completed it within a few hours and was ready to start the next assignment,” Weiss said.
Amanda’s experience enforces the idea that summer internships are difficult to adjust to. Still, they reflect to us the knowledge we need about ourselves before we invest time and money into a potential career. When something successfully fuels an interest, progress, and momentum can be found within the difficulty of jumping into the unknown.
The following student that was questioned is Erin McCarthy who worked at a gym and interned with a media agency. She found the new schedule to induce personal growth while learning how to interact with people in the workplace.
“I learned that I love having a schedule and making myself busy. I loved working throughout the summer, but I did miss out on things with my friends,” McCarthy said. “I got a sneak peek into life after college and how it would be working every day on a schedule. It felt good to warm up to this lifestyle, knowing I am making a future transition easier on myself.”
When asked what she would do differently, Erin explained that she would give herself more time and leave a little room to enjoy simple things such as friends, family, and being present without worry about deadlines or upcoming shifts. This raises an interesting dilemma that few can get right, regardless of age. How are we meant to work hard and set pathways to success while doing the activities that fuel our souls? Is there time to act our age when we fill our summers trying to masquerade as corporate adults?
The last person that answered some questions is Zachary Smith, who started his own company at the age of 21 and has been working through summers ever since to make it big in the beverage industry.
“I learned I’ll do whatever it takes. This feels great to know about myself. Starting a business, you see the harsh realities of who you are; if you’re insecure, it will show in your business, if you’re a bad communicator, it will show in your business, and then you let something within your control hurt you,” Smith said.
These perspectives bring some takeaways that others entering adulthood may also be wrestling with. A common theme is learning to love the knowledge being acquired and letting it fuel you. Remembering gratitude for anything you can tack it on to, no matter how small. It is a blessing to have an opportunity to explore career interests. It is rewarded through stimulation and personal growth from meeting new, refreshing people, feeling accomplished in our efforts, and being challenged all while trying to take it in. It also teaches about balance between work and everything else. Our lives are no longer centered around filling our time with fun activities with friends. Now, it is our duty to find meaning in our everyday routines, whether that is the sunrise on the commute to the office or spending hard-earned money on some good food at the end of the day. Life does not end when we start exploring our careers, a new one begins as we get to know ourselves through these between-class experiences.
