The Struggle of Internships

After I had the visit with the career I went and looked into certain internships that she recommended and made sure to apply to them and look into more to possibly apply too.

The internships I found were mostly ones that were six month periods that eventually lead in to careers. That kind of scared me. The idea of something leading into a career is frightening. Filling out a cover letter and resume is also just as terrifying.

I like to think that I have a decent resume because I've been working since I was 16. I started in a retail store just being an associate, selling clothes and doing shipment. I worked that job until I was a freshmen in college, so at least I showed loyalty from that job. I quit working at the retail job when I started coaching for the City of the Tempe. Technically, I've been working for the city for two and a half years, but have been progressing through the levels of employment during the two and a half years.

When I first got hired by the City of Tempe, I was the assistant coach to the junior rowing team that I currently am head coach of. I worked under another college student named Will who I use to actually row with in high school (so I've known him for a long time). Working as an assistant with that group of kids at the time was pretty rough. The athletes only practiced three times a week, didn't race, and were the definition of recreational- no competition whats so ever.

I picked up another coaching job for a club called Rio Salado. I coached adults for them in the evenings after the juniors practice wrapped up. I didn't particularly enjoy the job. I was out too late and always got home so tired. I worked for Rio Salado for a year and a half along with the City of Tempe, until I quit working for Rio Salado.

I had been promoted to head coach for the City and school was picking up- plus I really didn't like coaching for the club- so I quit Rio Salado and just worked for the City of Tempe for about a month before I started to get anxiety of not doing anything and wanted to pick up another job.

I applied to work at Bass Pro Shops last summer and got hired there working in the Promotions department. I work a lot with events that the store puts on like Kid Summer Camp over the summer, Halloween trick or treating in October, arts and crafts during Thanksgiving and Santa's Wonderland

all during December. Its a lot of fun! Sometimes I give seminars about camping or forest conservation during the events to anyone who will listen. I'm glad I got the job, because in the long run it might be useful in future interviews if no one believes me that I have any outdoor experience!

So, looking back, I guess I do have some serious experience and I should be proud of the work I've done over the years. But applying for internships and jobs- its just scary thinking about "What if?" you know? What if what I've done and the work I'm currently doing isn't enough. Guess we'll all find out.