Internship season is upon us! But, if you are like me, the idea of deciding on a single career path is incredibly daunting. What positions should you apply for? There are so many options, how can a person ever possibly make a decision? Hoping to help young alums answer some of those questions, alums in diverse careers have not hesitated to offer their advice. Read on for highlights from our survey and from my experience over the past few years exploring my career interests and internship opportunities.
A bit about me
My name is Regina and I am a current fellow for LAJF. I am a little over a month away from graduating from New York University where I majored in Global Liberal Studies with a concentration in Critical Creative Production. I have always enjoyed writing but I am also interested in politics, media, and activism. With those interests in mind, I found a program that matched those interests in a unique way. Halfway through my time at university, I decided to add a social work minor.
Luckily for me, my program at NYU requires that we find an internship or placement during our junior year. But, even before that, I was encouraged by my academic advisor to take classes in different departments to explore my interests further. And, that is advice that a lot of Camp Rising Sun alums shared with us.
This includes Kuba Orłowski, a camper from ‘05, who suggests: “Read broadly, find things that pique your interest and follow them to see where they lead but don't be afraid to pivot. The interesting projects are inherently interdisciplinary and many graduates are too narrowly specialized.”
A lot of us have ideas of what may interest us. But, over the course of my four years of university, my ideas have varied greatly. I have gone from being a lawyer to a social worker to a university advisor to a podcast producer all in my head. All those paths have come from different internships and classes that expanded my career interests. Through those experiences, I was able to explore the daily expectations and demands of roles which allowed me to reflect on if I saw myself in those roles long term and to ask questions from those holding positions in which I am interested. Remember, your first job does not have to be your career for the rest of your life. But, the lessons from each role could benefit you in the future. So, as Tim Connors, ‘73, suggests, “continuously find new experiences and educational opportunities.”
Another great lesson comes from Helene Mattera, ‘97, the current Executive Director of the Louis August Jonas Foundation, who says, “Take advantage of internships and employment as early as possible. Don't be shy about asking to shadow leaders in an organization. Also, it is helpful to just be near leaders and hear how they make decisions. Some skills can be learned through proximity. Ask to sit in on meetings with no expectation to actively participate.”
I first met Helene when I interviewed for a position as a fellow for LAJF. The first semester of my junior year of university, I took a social work class only because I had extra elective space. Who knew that the class I took would open my eyes to a career path that I would completely match my interests. The class happened to be taught by the head of the department and when I mentioned my interest in the field, he advised me to reach out to an advisor who connected me with LAJF for field experience. Luckily for me, Helene recognized my genuine interest and willingness to learn and I have gained so much since. Simple lesson: when you put yourself out there, you can make connections that will benefit you in the long run. Everyone started somewhere so do not be afraid to put yourself out there; most are willing to help.
Career-specific advice:
CRS alums are diverse in their interest and in the careers they pursue. These are some of the career-specific tips they have shared with us. If you don’t see your career represented below, we’d love to hear your perspective, please join this initiative at www.lajf.org/internshipready.
From Lisa Angelo Sanders, ‘02: “Storytelling is the basis of good TV/film. Take writing classes, watch films/tv, etc.”
From Leah Amesse, ‘06: “There are so many different routes to enter the medical and/or psychiatric fields. Nursing is one of those avenues, and I think as a high schooler I would have liked to know more about all the options. If you think you want to be a doctor, really consider the amount of school time you'll have and the amount of time you want to be spending with patients vs learning/researching/etc. If you're male, don't count out nursing - it is not just women's work! I'd also say that nursing is a great option as a second career so if you're looking for a change there are great programs and many jobs!!”
From Leah Amesse, ‘06: “Find a hospital or other nursing job that will help you pay for graduate school! Not having the financial burden of grad school tuition has made the whole process infinitely easier. That being said, don't go to grad school just for the degree or title. Take your time exploring your interests and finding what's a good fit for you.”
From Mia Khatcherian, ‘05: “Legal recruiting is a great entry point to law firms—I started as an assistant right out of college. There can be high turnover in recruiting, so entry level positions are likely to be available throughout the year.”
Are you a former camper with advice for campers looking for internship or career opportunities? Or, are you a camper looking for internships or career opportunities? Fill out our survey: