Internships

I just returned from a conference that was both stimulating and scary. At a gathering where premier journalists typically congregate to talk about craft and their commitment to accurately and artfully write and report true stories, most of the talk at the bar was about the carnage in the media industry. While I was there to speak about career advice, I wasn't immune to the concern. Last year I lost a regular gig blogging for the New York Times with very little notice. 

But unlike most journalists who are panicking about what they'd do next if they lost a steady paycheck, I quickly replaced that work with high quality work that I enjoy--coaching other writers, teaching, and public speaking. As an experienced freelancer, I also knew how to find writing opportunities even in a shrinking market. 

Way back in pre-recession 2007, I wrote a book about people who pursue multiple careers by choice. I call these folks "slashers" because--like me--they need a slash or two to define what they do.

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Played well, a good internship can be a great way to see if a field of work you're interested in is right for you while giving you the chance to prove yourself at the very bottom of the heap and make connections with professionals who will help mentor you along the way up.

Or... they can be slow-ticking hours of absolute drudgery, doing unappreciated tasks that have nothing to do with the work you hope to do one day, while paying little money (or nothing).

Like the unwitting, shy high school boy who nearly fell into the swag-less snare set by Michael Scott at the Valley View High School job fair in last night's 'Office' episode, many of us have been smart enough to avoid a deadly dull, pointless internship at the last second. And many of us have not. Am I right?
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