Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less. – C. S. Lewis

What an incredibly moving quote, and one that sets the mood perfectly for my latest piece of writing. I’ve been fortunate to have experienced a vast number of different job positions in my short professional career, with the majority of them being internships. As a matter of fact, I’ve worked four different internships since I graduated from Ball State University in May of 2012. From working as the assistant to the general manager at one of the most renowned mixed martial arts gyms in the country, Jackson’s MMA; to working as a senior intern at a youth health and fitness nonprofit, Nine13sports, my twenties have been jam-packed with internships. Although internships are definitely not for everyone – as the majority of them are low pay – I believe it’s attributed significantly to my team-oriented and selfless mindset that I employ on a daily basis at my job now. I treat every single day at my job as if I’m still an intern and wholeheartedly believe that you should do the same at your job. Here’s why:

• I learned that no task or responsibility is below me: When you’re an intern, you put aside any amount of ego you might possess because you want the opportunity to prove that you have what it takes to be successful and, eventually, a full-time employee. You don’t care if it’s mowing your manager’s lawn (yes, I did that), washing dishes, taking out the trash, or getting coffee; nothing is above your pay grade. And, quite honestly, why should it? You’re at the bottom of the food chain and have absolutely no excuse as to why you shouldn’t tackle a project or role with unbridled enthusiasm.
• I recognized early on that what I’m doing, albeit small in nature from the outside looking in, is of great value to the overall success of the organization: Many times the people behind-the-scences are the ones doing the little things that often go unnoticed but make a big difference. Therefore, whenever I’m completing a task at my current job at Nine13sports, I always reflect on just how fundamental what I’m doing is, even though it might not appear that essential or noteworthy. For example, it would be easy for someone to perceive me helping a child pedal a bike as incidental, however, I consider it a special moment for that respective child and a memory they’ll hold with them forever. At any time that young child thinks about her time riding our bikes, I want his or her thoughts to be of excitement and joy. I want them to smile whenever the name, “Nine13sports,” is brought to their attention and state that they can’t wait to ride our bikes again.

• I learned how to operate with the, “you only get what you put into it,” mentality: There’s been countless times where I could’ve brushed off a task and declared, “that’s an intern job.” However, instead of brushing it off, I tackle it with keenness and focus. Moreover, I learned that I just can’t sit around and wait for my supervisor to assign me a task. I have to take the initiative and find something to do. My experience with internships taught me that work assignments aren’t just going to fall from the sky and into my lap. Sometimes, your supervisor doesn’t have the time or accessibility to be able to assign you a task at the present moment. One of the most pronounced ways to impress me in our internship program is tackling a project or completing a duty without me asking you to do it. For me, it shows that you’re being proactive and have the confidence to carry out a task without me looking over your shoulder and making sure you’re staying busy.

Even though my internship days are behind me as I’ve transitioned into a full-time employee, I still value our internship program at Nine13sports and internships programs in general. Quite frankly, I learn more from our interns than they probably recognize. I learn how to manage, how to present myself in certain situations, how to delegate, and best of all, I know what they’re feeling and what they expect of me. I take a great deal of pride in making sure they get the most quality experience possible from their internship and look back on their time with us with satisfaction and reverence.

If you’re currently an intern, all I can tell you is be confident in your role and understand that what you’re doing isn’t meaningless. Somebody is always watching you and evaluating the attitude you have towards your position. Show up, smile, tackle each project or task with vigilance and enthusiasm, and remember that what you’re doing always serves a purpose.

Thanks for reading!

Chris