I’ve been at my internship for three weeks now, and overall, I think it is going well, despite the hour commute. I’ve done a little bit of everything, writing, editing and snacking on freebies. I just got my first features assignment. I’ve had the opportunity to work on multiple titles. I’m not treated like an intern. I’m treated as a colleague. And I know everything I am doing is going to help me land a full-time gig in the (near) future. But, with all the positive, I still have this one nagging, negative nugget that keeps popping into my head…

I never thought when I graduated from college, with all my accomplishments, that I would be interning again. Well, at least not for free.

I do have a small entitlement feeling when I get some of my tasks. (Off course I don’t complain. I will do it with a smile!) It is at no fault to anybody working there; it’s all on me. And honestly, it is weird for me to feel like that. I don’t know if I’ve ever felt entitled to anything. I was so happy when I was asked to come in for an interview. I got all dressed up (my parents bought me a new outfit for good luck. Aren’t they adorable?) and my stomach was riding a roller coaster. When I arrived, it turned out not to be an interview. It was just, “When can you start?”

I don’t like it, but I can’t control it. I hate having to fact-check the dining guide (or anything really), but when you are an intern, that is what you have to do. I hate being unpaid, but when you are an intern, that is what you have to do. But then I have these other thought about how much I love working there. And, honestly, I really do. I’m still new to the area, so working at a city magazine has allowed me to explore a new place.

So, I have to ask myself, am I feeling entitlement or disappointment?

I’m trying to stay positive, I really am. But how does one stop negativity from entering the brain? The truth is, I love to write. I love talking to new people. I love the atmosphere.

In the end, everything I do is worth it when I open up the newest issue and see my name in print.  When I saw my first sets of proofs, I immediately flipped through to find my name like I’m in high school trying to find all the photos of my in the yearbook. In that moment, I’m so proud. I don’t care that I’ve done everything for free (and the readers will never know). This is what I want to do. I’d rather be working for free at a place I love then be unhappy anywhere else.

–Samantha Hyde

Samantha Hyde graduated from the University of Texas in 2009. During her time spent in Austin, she interned and contributed to Austin Monthly, Texas Parks & Wildlife and Texas Highways magazine. She served as president of the magazine club and editor-in-chief of a college magazine, burntORANGE. Her issue, “How to be a Longhorn,” won second place in general excellence at the 2009 AEJMC awards.

Tags: Go-getting, On the Hunt

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 27th, 2011 4:25 pm at 4:25 pm and is filed under Advice, Career. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.