Internships, Talent, and a little luck.

Internships, Talent, and a little Luck

by Chelsea Moore

Sometimes, a job is so specified, that it is often hard to understand how to get your foot in the door. When your goal is specified, it becomes easier and more difficult at the same time. It often seems like who you know becomes more important than your raw talent, especially in the area of communications. Talent will show its face over time, but opportunities often lie in your contacts. The trick is to make these contacts that will benefit you. 

I chose to interview a professional that I respect in the industry of event planning. USRowing is a non-profit organization now located in Princeton, New Jersey that is near and dear to my heart. They focus on providing "opportunities to achieve excellence in rowing in the United States." I have been rowing since 2005 and am currently on OU's varsity rowing program, so I have always kept my eye on this organization since 2005. Elizabeth Webb is the Events Coordinator at USRowing answered some of my questions regarding her position and how she got there. 

She went to college for sports management at the University of Texas (but we won't judge...). She explained to me that she landed an internship at USRowing for event planning when they were still located in Indianapolis. So, Heather Spencer's advice she has given over and over about the importance of internships is definitely validated. 

"This internship helped me make up my mind that event planning was where I wanted to go." said Elizabeth. She was familiar with rowing before she landed this great internship. She "rowed with Austin Rowing Club," and has "rowed for about 12 years" now. 

When USRowing relocated to New Jersey, the current events manager decided not to make the move. Elizabeth said, "I was contacted by the Events Manager... and she encouraged me to pursue the position." 

So, because of her internship, she got the job that she wanted. This says a lot to me because I have tried to get the exact internship Elizabeth landed every summer since 2007. I will continue to try to get the internship even though New Jersey is far away. She encouraged me to apply for the internship, but gave me the reality of the organization. 

"The hard part is that we are a very small organization with less than 10 full time employees." She said that "even if your are a fabulous intern... there is no guarantee [of a job]."

I suppose this is the real world of internships and the job market, especially recently. But she is proof that opportunities only come to those who put themselves out there. You've got nothing to lose by exposing yourself to new job experience.