A Starting Point
I am a junior at High Point University, and this year, I decided to change my major, which has excited me and stressed me out in equal measure. Changing my major was a big and somewhat scary process, making me feel like I was always behind in time and experience. I’m constantly wondering if I made the right choice and if I will catch up with my peers who have already been on their chosen paths for years. This sense of urgency has been compounded by the fact that I recently landed my first internship in my new field of study: strategic communication. It feels like a dream come true but also incredibly daunting.
Two months ago, I began interning at an up-and-coming company, Furitieve, which has developed a revolutionary dog collar product integrated with an app and other innovative pet care accessories. The company’s mission to revolutionize pet care through technology is inspiring and motivating, and I’m excited to be part of something fresh and forward-thinking. My role as an intern involves pushing three media pieces for advertising every week, alongside any other side projects that my boss assigns me. It’s an excellent opportunity to learn and gain hands-on experience in my field, but it's also incredibly stressful.
The internship has been a whirlwind. On the one hand, I’m learning a lot about how strategic communication works in the real world, how marketing is executed, and how brands use social media and other platforms to connect with their audiences. On the other hand, the pressure to create high-quality content under tight deadlines is overwhelming. With only a week to complete each task, I often feel like I’m racing against time, which causes me great stress. I want to do my best, but sometimes, I’m not producing the caliber of content I expect from myself. Some weeks, I can tell that my work isn’t as strong as I’d like, which can discourage me. The perfectionist in me wants everything to be flawless, but I know I still have room to grow and improve, which is comforting but frustrating.
Despite the struggles, I am determined to make the most of this internship. Every experience, good or bad, teaches me something valuable, and I’m committed to learning from each challenge I face. I also recognize that it’s okay not to be perfect right away. This is my first real exposure to the field, and it’s expected to make mistakes and not always produce work that exceeds expectations. I’ve realized that it’s more important to push through the challenging moments and use them as stepping stones to improve at what I do.
What excites me most about this internship is its growth opportunities, both professionally and personally. It’s a chance to build my portfolio and develop the skills I need to succeed in the competitive world of strategic communication. I hope this internship will open doors to even more opportunities in my field, and I’m eager to see where this journey takes me. While the process is challenging, I’m committed to embracing it, knowing that every step forward is a step closer to my goals.