No two internship experiences are the same. The Wellesley News Artichoke investigative team spoke to three Wellesley students who have had, to say the least, some interesting encounters in their annual job search. Here are some of the lesser-known aspects of internship hunting that may not be on that Career Ed FAQ, and our tips to stand out.
Amanda Song ’22, English and CAMS
What’s your story?
“Like most Wellesley students, I applied to the summer grant program offered by Career Education, because it seemed to offer the safest and best way to secure funding for a really awesome internship I got with a local non-profit. We heard back from Career Education just before spring break, so I was sad in Puerto Vallarta, trying to figure out how I could pay for the housing and living costs that would allow me to run the “Cinema for Kids” program at the activities center. I emailed my career advisor but she told me there wasn’t much else she or Career Education could offer and that I should look at outside funding. My friend, who did get a grant, told me I should look into starting a GoFundMe or a Kickstarter, but it just felt odd to even have to beg strangers for cash for an unpaid internship anyways. So now I sell feet pics and access to my private Snapchat, and I’ve made almost enough to cover what Career Education would have offered me!”
Our advice? Honestly, none.
Sam Pierre ’20, political science
Tell us about your situation.
“I’m abroad, and I needed a job in London because my apartment’s lease is for a full year and I can’t afford to waste three months’ rent. So I applied to some jobs that I know would keep me in the city. Look, I didn’t think I’d get it, and I was pretty desperate — I mean a Central London apartment doesn’t come cheap, my roommate’s leaving for a DC consulting internship and my landlord isn’t letting me sublet the rooms. I’m pretty stuck in this finance gig, but I’m trying to make the best of a bad situation.”
How do you feel about the internship you have?
“I sold my fucking soul.”
Our advice? Drink as much free coffee as your heart can handle, and enjoy those skyscraper views because both you and your god know you won’t be back up in a glass tower anytime soon.
Krissy Sanders ’21, biological sciences major
So what happened?
“I thought I did everything right — regular appointments with my career advisor, multiple references, even hand-wrote a thank you note to slip to the receptionist after my interview. I checked my email, Handshake, my actual mailbox, literally every single day to see the company had gotten back to me. I was so excited for it too! But nothing! I was being ghosted, and let me tell you, it sucks.”
Did they end up letting you know what was up?
“I mean, yeah. I got an email from them at the end of last year — it was one of those tech start-ups so I needed to apply super early for even the summer program — telling me that they’re sorry but the company needed to get rid of the internship program because their needs changed.”
What company was this?
“Oh my god it’s actually super cool. The company’s called Theranos, and it’s really right on the cutting edge of medical technology. I know that this is just a hiccup and there’ll be more opportunities next year.”
Our advice? Get HBO.
