You Have a Lot to Offer - Jillian Milam

When researching the definition of the word intern, one might come across two options, as Dictionary.com defines it. Definition number one: “to restrict to or confine within prescribed limits, as prisoners of war, enemy aliens, or combat troops who take refuge in a neutral country.” Now, as interns or co-ops, we might oftentimes feel like prisoners of war, trapped behind enemy lines, bullets flying over our heads with no escape and no way out - but my guess is that definition number two might be more suitable for our needs right now as college students: “a person who works as an apprentice or trainee in an occupation or profession to gain practical experience, and sometimes also to satisfy legal or other requirements for being licensed or accepted professionally.”

If you are currently an intern or have been researching the possibility of obtaining an internship, then you are already all too familiar with these key words – “to gain practical experience; trainee; accepted professionally.” While we are pointing out the obvious, we might as well say that as interns, our sole purpose during this stage of life is to absorb. We are to act like sponges, if you will, on the lookout for available water (referring to knowledge, to be brutally obvious). We are to soak up that water, or knowledge, whenever we have the chance and take it all in. We are here to learn, to become “accepted” in the professional world.

Although this definition may feel a bit condescending, making interns almost comparable to wide-eyed babies that know nothing but with the help of an internship, we will learn the ways of the world - many of these notions hold much truth and validity – believe it or not. We are here to learn. To observe. To gain knowledge and invaluable experience.

However, one must also keep in mind that as interns, our job is not only to learn – it is also to bring to the table the skills that we have already acquired through our educational backgrounds. I know, I know. It may seem corny; maybe even a little trite. We are just college students. What do we know about the working world? What do we know about the business we want to someday join? What do we have as meager students to contribute? It might be typical to ask ourselves these daunting questions, which is why I want to share with you some words of wisdom I would have loved to have heard as I embarked on my internship journey back in September 2006 – You are smart. You are already successful. Just from college alone, you have gained so much knowledge, so many skills, so many abilities applicable to the professional world, any company would benefit from your presence. You have a lot to offer.

A bit extreme, you might say? Well, not really. At the risk of sounding trite once again, I will say that we Cabrini students are lucky to have a professionally-driven school to prepare us for what really counts – life after college. If you put a good amount of effort into your academics, (keep it up seniors, only three months until graduation!) then you have what it takes to be a successful and contributing intern. Yes, we are here to learn as interns. Yes, we are somewhat like sponges, or wide-eyed babies that need help along the way. But hey, you know what? We are intelligent sponges and babies. We might be mere college students; we might be younger than our soon-to-be co-workers; we might not know everything about the field we are about to join. Even though we might feel a sense of inferiority as interns sometimes, we need to remember that we are valuable. We have fresh ideas and skills that will benefit employers to no end.

So instead of feeling like a trapped POW, using camouflage to blend in, hiding from enemies, trying to dodge the bullets, take a deep breath and go after the internship with all you have. Be confident in yourself and the skills you are capable of bringing to the table. Learn on little POWs, or interns, rather. Learn on and contribute the skills you already possess!