Why Applying For Internships Is Scary But Also Totally Worth It

I’m about to start my junior year of college.

Just that in itself is completely unfathomable to me. But I sort of feel like I’ve been coasting through school. Freshman and sophomore year, I had next to nothing to worry about. All I was concerned with was passing my classes and trying to build a new life for myself in a city I was just beginning to fall in love with. With my third year quickly approaching, it’s almost been a slap in the face that it’s time to start looking for an internship, because up until now everything’s been pretty easy.

So, I’ve spent the last month searching for any and every writing opportunity I could find, and it’s been more work than I thought it would be. I feel like the application process is either completely grueling or a total breeze, and I’ve had my fair share of both. I wasn’t exactly sure where to start my search in the first place, and then when I finally did figure out what places interested me the most, I had to figure out what I wanted to share with them. What was my best writing? I don’t know. Sure, there are lots of pieces that I’m proud of, but are they the best to anyone else, or just to me?

And then the thought of working under someone who could potentially pick apart my writing and turn it into something not me entered my head and I sort of froze up. Do I want to do this? I know it’s time, and I know I should want to - but for a split second, what I wanted was to forget the whole thing. My writing is the most vulnerable extension of myself that I have to offer, and sharing that with someone who might not like it scared me. But obviously, the rational part of me knows that there will be people who don’t like my work. That’s just fact.

So I took another breath, and I hit submit.

After what feels like the fastest month of my life, I’m super excited to announce that I will be one of WXPN’s fall music blogging interns at one of my favorite show venues, World Cafe Live. I knew when I walked through the office for my second interview that I would feel at home here, and I guess the feeling was mutual, because you can read my work starting this September on The Key.

I know this is going to be an experience I won’t forget. I know it’s going to open doors for me and help me start a career in a field that I already love. And I know that I’m going to look back and thank myself for not being too scared to say yes.