The Last Standing

This is the last blog I will post regarding the internship before I do my portfolio.  There are many things I have learned regarding International Networking and internal working as well, but those matters will be discussed in the critical analysis of my internship. Now the task at hand is as follows: Blog explaining how you have or prepped or plan to prep the area for the next intern on the last Monday of your internship.

Well, I am prepping the next intern (I just met today, actually) by letting her know where to set her expectations in order to not result disappointed and make the best out of her time in RACI. I think it is vital to guide people in a direction where they can make the best of the information they are given access to, instead of focusing on the negative sides of the work environment and monotony of tasks. I say this not to criticize the organization, but in order to speak realistically to a peer who comes in with the same expectation as myself.  In fact, the one girl I am specifically referring to started today. She came in explaining that this was the last internship (in fact, last step, period) she would have before she graduated and entered the real work force, and is obviously showing eagerness to participate as a one more member in RACI, which in my experience, does not necessarily equate as such when you’re one of their volunteers.  I think that if I had known this when I started, it would have made my life a lot easier, because these things they don’t explain to you when you show up. Of course they sell you the organization as much as they can, and quite on the contrary, make you believe there are these huge tasks of vital and completely necessary things you have to do, but as days go by you’re not even sure of what your deadlines are. This does not help the fact that most international interns come in with really high expectations, when in fact we are just volunteers for the organization.

I really don’t mean for this blog to be a simple bashing session of what I have experienced, but I am one of those people who really want to know the truth of what they’re getting themselves into. I still believe that RACI is a great organization with much, much potential, but you definitely have to go in there knowing what you’re looking for. We have so many resources available to us and this makes it amazingly easy to do your own research and learn things anyway, as I have done and so have many of the interns I worked with. Although, It is easy to get lost in the disappointment, one most remember to keep pushing toward the things that they want to get out it. For instance, if what you want is to have more interaction, then you need to plan interviews and talks at least during the lunch period that is shared by all, as opposed to staying quietly trying to integrate in the environment. I say this because lunch is one of the most important times for communication.  As a matter of fact, communication may seem ambiguous at times,  so it’s important for the interns to know that they have to keep a certain level of respect with the people they work with regardless of the fact that some of them are younger than us. Believe it or not, this is difficult because at the beginning it seems like everyone is jolly and happy to be with you and friendly in a different, higher kind of “just acquaintances” level, so it may help you forget that you technically work “for” them and let the friendliness get too far. I saw it happen with one intern in particular, and I am pretty sure he did not place a job because he was too straightforward with the workers. He was a local and had been working with them for over 6 months. I felt really sad because he was a really nice guy and I cherished him as a friend. Obviously I can justify both parties in the decision of not working together, but at the end of the day I think that whole situation could have been avoided by simply drawing a good solid line of boundaries.

Ok, so after reading this it seems like a harsh critique, which is just not my style, but it is what I have done to ensure that interns don’t repeat mistakes and truly cherish the opportunities without any resentments. I have really appreciated my time there, and also shared that with my peers. I have made it clear that the experience is whatever you make it, as is everything in life, and this organization is in constant growth because of how young it is. You can be part of the start of something wonderful, especially as we embark in the projects I have discussed in previous blogs, and that alone, is magical.