Internship Diaries- The End
How am I spending my time on a daily basis? How can I maximize my time management to best achieve my goals?
Over the summer, I was quite overwhelmed with my workload and my internship requirements. A typical day for me required waking up at 7, doing some homework before my internship from 9-3, and then going to a coffee shop for one to two hours to work on homework. After that I would come home, eat and rest for maybe 30 minutes, and then throw myself back into my homework. Through this busy schedule, I was able to realize what I needed to prioritize more (like sleep and exercise) and relax more on how well I was doing in school. At the end of the day, it wont matter if I got an A or an A- in a class. What will matter is how I can manage my physical and mental health.
What do I want my career to look like in one year? What are my action steps?
I want to be excited to go into whatever field I find myself in. Whether that is being a dresser on Broadway, or working as a seamstress for small theaters around the country, I want to have projects and responsibilities that make me happy and streamline my creative urges. Through networking, research into grad programs, and overall commitment to myself and my skills, I can hope to find myself the perfect career path.
What mistakes did I make this week and what did I learn from them?
In my final week of work, I ran into many issues. I was assigned some rushed projects that allowed me to push through with my need for perfection. The fabric, thread, machine, and pretty much all parts of my job were unwilling to cooperate. I kept getting frustrated and feeling quite upset about it, I allowed myself some time to step away and see where my frustration was really stemming from. Once I was able to separate my personal issues from the functional ones I was dealing with all week, I was able to refocus and get back to work.
What is my ideal work routine? What steps can I implement to make that a reality in my life?
Ideally, I would not be required to work indoors with no windows from the hours of 9-5. I hope to have a more flexible routine with a working studio. I would love to have a job where I was able to speak to people and help them feel more comfortable in what they wear, either as a stylist or as a dresser/costume manager on Broadway. I can continue to improve my personal skills and well as refine my list of non-negotiables in my daily life like getting plenty of sleep, exercise, and outdoor time.
What are my biggest opportunities for improvement professionally? How can I turn those into strengths?
Professionally, I need to take more advantage of the connections provided to me. I am always worried that I will be perceived as a burden to those with enviable jobs or career paths. As I have come to learn, everyone who is where I want to be was once in my shoes. By reaching out and trying my best in my creative and professional goals, I can present a structured and impressive resume to any future employer or peer.
What are the top 5 things I learned about my industry through my internship, and how will I leverage those learnings moving forward in my career?
People skills
While interning at the REP, being able to present a kind and friendly attitude is absolutely necessary when measuring and addressing costume concerns with actors. As I learned how to better read a room and converse with customers, I felt my professional confidence grow.
Reach out
I learned that I absolutely must reach out and ask for opportunities that I want, even if I have to keep asking. Consistency is key and although I may feel as if I’m pestering someone, sometimes it is the necessary course of action.
Ask questions
As a seamstress and as a creative, you have to be willing to admit when you don’t know something and be humble enough to ask for help. Whether it was help with a machine problem or concerns I had for the future, my mentors were happy to help and I felt for sure of myself after getting the advice I needed.
Be helpful
Overall, one of the best things you can do an any professional environment is be helpful and positive, even when it’s hard. Some of the best parts of my job involved picking up the slack and making my mentors’ jobs easier be easing some of the burden of daily tasks. Whether it was physical labor or helping run and errand, by my willingness to help with anything, I felt more useful.
Say YES
One of the first lessons my mentor Kaitlyn taught me from her time in NYC, was to just say yes. Saying yes leads to new jobs, new friends, and new experiences. You never know where it could lead you and with a positive attitude, saying yes could get you the job of your dreams.
