Student Worker

Let me begin by saying I'm sorry if this sounds like whining, but I will try to get my point across without calling for too much self-pity.

I know a lot of people are in the same boat as me. In order to make it in the real world, we've been told to go out and get internships (most often they are unpaid ... in fact, with Metro/Gas expenses, most often we are making negative money). But, what most people aren't telling us is that on top of your internship responsibilities, you still need to attend your classes, do your insane amounts of reading and finish all your homework ... yes, even that 24-page paper due at the end of the semester.

It seems easy, do some textbook reading on the Metro, finish some homework at work ... but you're supposed to be WORKING, that's what an internship is for, to get experience and a good recommendation.

Then, on top of your internship/job, your homework and your classes - you have friends. Don't forget about those people sitting on your couch watching True Blood with you every Sunday and texting/e-mailing you all week at work about the weekend plans.

It's a tough balance, one that I haven't come close to mastering. You're constantly exhausted, overwhelmed and occassionally quite moody. So why go through it?

Honestly, our professors, administrators and parents are right - you're going to have an easier time in the real world if you have some work experience, related to your major or not. That's not saying you can never get a job without previous experience, but look at the slimming job market and horrible economy we're going to face when we leave UMD. Be real guys, take the unpaid work now and you'll HOPEFULLY make the big bucks later. It's cliche, but it will lead to bigger and better things.

Also, nothing will prove to you that this is or isn't what you want to do with the rest of your life than getting a semester of practice in, and trust me ... it's better to find out before you're stuck 9-5 in an office for 15 years and then have a mid-life crisis, hating your career and the life you've built around it. Get that crises out of the way now.

Have fun at work too. It's alright to use your lunch break to do something fun. Or take a 15 minute break with a co-worker to have crossword competitions or Office Olympics (yay Jim!) or even do a cake run in the middle of the day.

It's okay to tell those friends you're too tired to go to Santa Fe on Thursday night, if they're you're friends they'll understand, and maybe even one of them will stay in and watch a movie with you. Make a playlist that's going to calm you down after a bad day. Choose a homework day. And don't forget, you're only here once ... it's okay to be a little tired at work so you can celebrate that friend's birthday party. Even your boss has fun once in a while. And, if you need to ... turn the music up loud and just scream!

Image courtesy of alwaysauditioning.com