Life never gets any easier. I thought my new life in Boston
meant freedom and independence. Well, my life here does mean that I
was free and independent, but I may not have given enough thought
to the responsibility that comes with both of those luxuries.
Life never gets any easier. I thought my new life in Boston meant freedom and independence. Well, my life here does mean that I was free and independent, but I may not have given enough thought to the responsibility that comes with both of those luxuries. You can only throw so many parties and put off homework and studying for so long before you realize that the bills are piling up, and it’s time to start thinking about next semester.
Don’t worry; my roommates and I are nowhere close to having our electricity or cable TV cut off. It is, though, the realization that even though we don’t have classes on Tuesdays and Fridays, we can’t spend all day in bed. We have to get up, clean the apartment, work, or at least do something related to school. For me, the first thing on my mind from the time I wake up to the time I go to bed is what I’m going to do next semester.
Northeastern University provides a wonderful program for their undergraduate students: A six-month internship starting sophomore year. The program known as the co-op involves students taking six months of school study alternated with six-months working in an internship in their field of interest. This allows students the opportunity to actually see if they like the real world of what they are studying long before graduation. I’ve bragged about this aspect of my education on more than one occasion because it was one of the main reasons for me choosing that Northeastern University.
I put off writing this article because I wanted the topic for my next piece to be all about where I was going to do my six-month internship next semester. I already had written my lead for that fantasy article that read: “The Boston Globe just accepted me as their newest addition to their marketing department! “ However, that line will have to wait. I went on a final interview with the Globe over a week and a half ago and even though it went great, I haven’t heard a word.
I applied for a position at the Boston Globe in either the public affairs department or in their marketing and event-planning department. Each department had only one position available, and after my last interview (I had three in total for the callback interview), I thought I had a great internship in the bag. I wanted the marketing position because it would allow me to contribute my best skills to the work place: communication and writing. By now, I should have heard whether I had gotten the job or not but as of this writing, I haven’t gotten a call back from the Globe or any of the public relations or marketing firms I have applied and sent my resumé to. This baffles me because I have a strong GPA, great recommendations and over 100 published articles.
Even though my parents, friends and advisor are being very supportive, I am starting to get nervous that an internship next semester may not be in the bag. What am I going to do? Before I allow myself the luxury of a full-blown panic attack, I remind myself that I could always come back to California to do an internship in the Bay Area/Silicon Valley. That would invite a few more challenges, but nothing I can’t handle, like needing a car. I’m spoiled by Boston’s T, an underground subway system that runs all over the Boston and only costs a dollar each way!
Another challenge to work through is that I am bound to a full year lease on my apartment in Boston. I share a room with my best friend Jenna and it will be near impossible to find someone who is willing to sublet my apartment for the six-months I’d be gone and someone that Jenna could stand sharing a bedroom with. There is also the question: Do I have to do co-op? Or could wait to do my co-op from July to December in 2004 and take classes next semester? Nope, thought of that, just a bit too late!
Registration for spring semester is closed and all the classes I need or would want to take are already full. And there is the little fact and added pressure that I didn’t take out enough money in student loans to handle another semester of tuition. (Northeastern University is about $22,000 a year in tuition without room and board.)
So here I am in the real world of work, bills and possibly unemployment. I do have a lot of people on my side that keeps my spirits up. I’ve found that if I want something badly enough and take the initiative to put myself out there, it will come to me. This can happen to anyone who has the opportunity to take a chance and allow good things to happen to them. If you never take a chance, you’ll never know what good things are waiting for you.
To anyone in my position, either trying to find an internship or a full-time occupation, the best thing to do is to put your message out to the universe. You can’t hold back, because you only live once. I’ve found that although I’ve had a lot of help and support from my family and friends (thank you, Mom), they have only shown me the door. I’ve always had to go after what I want with a phone call, e-mail, application or in-person meeting to meet the challenge. This is my life, the real thing, not a dress rehearsal.
Are you listening out there? Anyone have any job openings? I need a six month internship!
