4 minute read
7 REASONS TO BE AN INTERN AS PART OF YOUR ARTS DEGREE
from Issue 90.5
by On Dit
7 REASONS YOU SHOULD BE AN INTERN AS PART OF YOUR ARTS DEGREE
Words by Stephanie Komar
1. As an Intern, you will be pushed in ways that are kinder than uni deadlines
2. You’ll lean into your passions
You know the drill:. You’re at a party and you’ve stumbled into a conversation with a stranger. They ask you what you do. You tell them you study full time. They ask what you’re studying. You tell them you’re doing an Arts degree. Bypassing the inevitable passion underpinning your choice of degree, they ask the dreaded question: “What will you do when you graduate?”
The value of studying arts is often overlooked. As a creative writing major my first lecture entailed the realisation that an arts degree probably wasn’t taking me to lucrative places. Statistically, the average fiction writer earns 31k a year - and look, so far, it’s true. I’ve not made any money from creative writing. But the value of studying arts is beyond a dollar figure. So, if you’re in the midst of some soul searching about why studying arts was a good idea, then buckle up. This article is for you.
For some, producing creative work under pressure is oxymoronic. When stressed, the brain diverts its creative juices to function in survival mode. Conversely, as an intern your deadlines are negotiable (and not all at the same time). You determine your own success. You will have the privilege of holding yourself accountable. Nervous yet? You shouldn’t be. Claiming responsibility for the work you produce with real-life feedback is a liberating process! You will get to ride the highs of little wins and the quality of your work will benefit from the sweet, consistent flow of validation.
If you’ve never used CareerHub, put down this issue of On Dit right now and open your laptop. CareerHub advertises internships, paid jobs, graduate roles and free employability courses all year round. Most internships will be unpaid but the variety is impressive. Narrow your search down and focus on your interests. There are loads of options in Aboriginal affairs, sustainability, local government and community development just to name a few. However, if choice overwhelms you, I can
confirm KWY Aboriginal Corporation and Indigneous Education and Boarding Australia are fantastic options. Both organisations will cater to students of Arts, Marketing, International Relations and Media, and both are doing incredible work in the Indigenous sector.
Hot tip: increase your social currency by telling your colleagues about your skill set. Once word spread that I was proficient at copy editing, I was inundated with requests to proofread letters, emails, articles and tendered grants. Suddenly, a degree in the arts presented an unforeseen practicality, improving my editing abilities and teaching me the value of transferrable skills that Arts degrees are notorious for.
Generally, your mentor will have a predetermined direction for the duration of your internship. However, most mentors will be willing to build on your strengths and interests because they know the organisation will benefit from your best quality work! Use this to your advantage. Tell them what skills you want to develop and they will help you thrive.
As an intern, you’ll be the fresh face everyone is interested in. If you’re an introvert and that sentence makes you nervous as hell, don’t worry. You’re not expected to be a professional or a social butterfly. Your colleagues will meet you where you’re at and will reminisce about their own uni days. Most will even advise you on your career aspirations. Don’t forget to connect with them on LinkedIn!
Using your internship as an opportunity to network is the ultimate uni hack. In my first internship, one of my colleagues had worked for the Department of Social Services for over thirty years. Establishing that connection meant that six months down the track, I had a mentor who excitedly assisted me with my application for the graduate program at the DSS. These connections are invaluable. When the graduate positions open, all external motivation helps because those applications can be monstrous.
Literally. My first internship with Indigenous Education and Boarding Australia took me to Cairns for a week to assist in organising a national event. My current internship with KWY has supported local newspapers publishing my articles which is far more rewarding than any assessment grade. Most mentors will encourage you to step outside of your comfort zone so make sure you’re ready to say “hell yeah” when the opportunities arise. Who knows, maybe you’ll be offered ongoing employment at the end of your contract.
Every internship is what you make of it. Practical experience will be a segue for all those hours spent in your room, pumping out assessments under the influence of red bull and noodles, into a career where you’ll dress respectably and communicate with others at normal hours of the day. Remember: lean into your interests. Say yes to all opportunities. Use your internship to build on your strengths. Connect with your colleagues on LinkedIn. Watch yourself blossom like the little legend that you are.
3. You’ll learn the practicality of creativity
4. Your role as an intern will build on your strengths
5. Your colleagues will invest in your professional development
6. You will make invaluable career connections
7. It will take you places
Take A Leap of Faith