Interning during a Pandemic: It’s tough, but you can do it!

Dear Spring 2021 Practicum Students,

I know you’re tired of reading this line, but I really do hope this blog post finds you and your loved ones safe and healthy during such extraordinary times.

No one has had it easy during this pandemic. From losing loved ones, to long periods of time in isolation, quarantining with toxic or overwhelming family, being an essential worker, providing for your family, being a full-time student and having to intern…it’s a lot. I understand. Whether you have experienced all of these things simultaneously, or just one of them, my biggest piece of advice is to give yourself grace.

If you get to a point where you are feeling unmotivated, know that it is okay to take a break and a few moments to yourself to just breathe. Doing this often will help you to refocus your mind and spirit to completing the task at hand. Do something that makes you happy and excited to finish off the semester strong! You’re (we’re) almost finished! You’ve worked so hard and one more semester will only make you stronger and more prepared heading into the work force.

You can succeed in this course and in your internship while still protecting your peace and not over working yourself. One thing I definitely learned from this class is to be intentional with everything you do at your internship. Who you interact with, who you befriend, what you say and how you say it, focusing on your assigned tasks before you take on additional tasks— it can all make the world of a difference! It could be the difference of you getting a job offer and another intern in your cohort getting the offer.

In regards to this class, do your diaries weekly! Don’t wait until the last minute to do all of them at once! The diaries are meant to be a source of reflection for YOU. Be intentional when setting your weekly objectives, so that when you accomplish them at the end of each week, you’ll have a written record of all of the quantitative work that you completed by the end of your internship!

Pay attention and take advantage of all the resources Professor Thomas and her guests give you over the course of the semester. Some of the assignments and words of wisdom from visitors will be advice that you can take beyond this class and this internship!

No matter what, just know that you can do it and what’s for you will not pass you! And I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention #ExcellenceWithoutExcuse!