“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest” ~ Confucius. When you take pride in your work you will reflect upon it. I take great pride in my internship. Therefore, I will reflect on these last few months. Not only have I changed the way that I view my own strengths and weakness, but my view of others has shifted dramatically. This internship semester has given me insight that I never thought I would know.
In every situation you grow. This growth can result in a negative or positive outcome, the end result is ultimately up you. And this is a key lesson that I have learned throughout my internship. Every situation I came …show more content…
I worked with two other interns, Jake and John, while I was interning with Congressman Valadao. Whenever we were given the chance to run errands, go to the Capitol, or assist staffers with projects, the boys would always get first pick. This often left me manning the phones which is usually an intern’s least favorite part of their day. I realized a couple weeks into the internship that my lack of options for projects wasn’t due to being less competent than my colleagues, but a lack of assertiveness. Jake and John were the first to speak up and spoke up loudly. I was so nervous about not being professional and appropriate in the office, that I was often quiet and was missing out on projects and chances to run about the Capitol. The only person who could change this situation was me, Jake and John certainly weren’t going to lay back and allow me first pick of jobs and errands. So, I started going to the staffers and the intern coordinator first. I would email or ask them in person if they needed help that day and what errands needed to be completed. This way I got first pick and made sure that they all knew I would be available to assist them. As soon as I took control of the situation and became more assertive, I started having so many projects I was rarely …show more content…
DC is all about connections. Take any office, building, or company, about eighty percent the people in there are employed because they had a connection. This is why networking is so crucial if you want to get a good job in this city. Typically at the end of the numerous network coffees I had, my coffee date would say, “Please keep in touch and reach out to me often. I want to help you in any way I can!” And the crazy thing is, they mean it. Typically, parting acquaintances yell, “Keep in touch!” they don’t really mean it. Society uses this phrases more as obligatory parting well wish. DC staffers used their connections to get to their job, and they all want to help others do the same. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve met because of connections. While DC natives may be a bit to themselves and always in a rush, they all want to help their friends and connections move
In every situation you grow. This growth can result in a negative or positive outcome, the end result is ultimately up you. And this is a key lesson that I have learned throughout my internship. Every situation I came …show more content…
I worked with two other interns, Jake and John, while I was interning with Congressman Valadao. Whenever we were given the chance to run errands, go to the Capitol, or assist staffers with projects, the boys would always get first pick. This often left me manning the phones which is usually an intern’s least favorite part of their day. I realized a couple weeks into the internship that my lack of options for projects wasn’t due to being less competent than my colleagues, but a lack of assertiveness. Jake and John were the first to speak up and spoke up loudly. I was so nervous about not being professional and appropriate in the office, that I was often quiet and was missing out on projects and chances to run about the Capitol. The only person who could change this situation was me, Jake and John certainly weren’t going to lay back and allow me first pick of jobs and errands. So, I started going to the staffers and the intern coordinator first. I would email or ask them in person if they needed help that day and what errands needed to be completed. This way I got first pick and made sure that they all knew I would be available to assist them. As soon as I took control of the situation and became more assertive, I started having so many projects I was rarely …show more content…
DC is all about connections. Take any office, building, or company, about eighty percent the people in there are employed because they had a connection. This is why networking is so crucial if you want to get a good job in this city. Typically at the end of the numerous network coffees I had, my coffee date would say, “Please keep in touch and reach out to me often. I want to help you in any way I can!” And the crazy thing is, they mean it. Typically, parting acquaintances yell, “Keep in touch!” they don’t really mean it. Society uses this phrases more as obligatory parting well wish. DC staffers used their connections to get to their job, and they all want to help others do the same. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve met because of connections. While DC natives may be a bit to themselves and always in a rush, they all want to help their friends and connections move