I’m just a few weeks out from graduating, and as I look back on my three-year journey of studying journalism, I realise all the things I learned or what I wish I knew before starting. As it turns out, internships taught me life lessons that go far beyond a career in media.

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1. Beggars can’t be choosers

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Take that internship, even if it wasn’t in your original plan. First-year Elisha had the highest hopes for her third-year self, ambitiously aiming for a spot with one of the big guys – Seven Network, The Age or Nine – on her first go. Though nothing stopped me from handing in my application to all those places, I wish I hadn’t put all my eggs in one basket. You’ll be surprised to find that a lot of learning can happen at the smaller, more local places. The smaller the team, the more extensive your workload, and the more learning opportunities you’ll get.

 

My first ever internship was with Broadsheet Media (Melbourne). I'll be honest, hospitality journalism was never on my radar before but I still applied because my uncle – who works in the media industry and therefore had connections – recommended me. In hindsight, I’m so glad I took the chance. I can decidedly say that Broadsheet was my favourite place to intern among all the others. 

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So don't be picky and just give yourself the chance to experience different things.

 

2. It’s always the places you don’t expect

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Interning with Broadsheet seriously opened up a whole new realm. I started my degree thinking I could change the world with hard-hitting headlines and the most groundbreaking stories.

 

As my weeks with Broadsheet passed, I soon unveiled the fulfilling simplicities of being a journalist – the privilege of helping others. From interviewing local restaurant owners to those just starting out in the hospitality industry, giving light to other people and their passions gave me surges of satisfaction like no other. It's in using my career to help others that I can truly feel accomplished. 

 

Working with Broadsheet taught me that my journalistic talents exist for more than mere self-gratification, rather to lift others up. Embracing the social aspect of my job has made this career so much more meaningful and intimate.

 

I didn’t expect to love hospitality journalism as much as I do now. If you’re tossing up whether to intern at that one place because it’s not your taste, just do it. You never know, you might just love it. 

 

3. Look for that one thing.

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One time, I was having coffee with my university professor. He asked me a question that surprisingly sent me into an existential crisis – "why do you want to be a journalist?". Thinking I should impress him, I told him what I thought he wanted to hear.

 

“Journalism allows me to uphold my values for truth, integrity and justice”

 

My professor’s reply immediately humbled me. He told me to think smaller scale.

 

“What about that one thing that will get you out of bed in the morning?”, he said.

 

For all three years of my degree, I had been so idealistic that I’d forgotten the little things that fuel my love for journalism. The people.

 

Being a journalist means I get to discover new stories every day and share them with the world. There’s a real joy in being able to surf the crowd, meet new people and learn new names. I see my career as a privilege to do what I love, the crossing point of both my talents and passions.

 

Hospitality journalism elevated my career to a higher purpose. The people who surrounded me helped me realise why I want to be in the media industry. What is the point of a career that doesn’t contribute to the lives of others? 

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When you're doing your internship, delve deep into why you're there. Look for your one thing. 

 

4. Unpaid internships can work if you’re with the right people

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None of my completed internships were paid, and I honestly didn’t mind. I walked into each internship with a growth mindset. Some people think internships are a sneaky excuse for free labour, but one only thinks like that because they don’t enjoy what they’re doing.

 

If I could give just one piece of advice to an undergraduate – be humble. As harsh as it may sound, don’t expect to get paid for learning.

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5. Be grateful for the internships you didn’t enjoy

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Internships are an opportunity to figure out your tastes.

 

You could walk into an internship with the world’s greatest mindset and still utterly hate it. I know this because I’ve been there before. And this is not to say anything bad about the organisations I’ve worked at. I didn’t enjoy it because it simply wasn’t for me.

 

And yet, I still don’t regret my time there. I walked out knowing I gave it a fair chance. I’m grateful that I won’t look back wondering if I missed out on a good opportunity.

 

The less enjoyable internships taught me that the quest for your future can be messy. Your undergraduate years are the perfect time to mess around and figure out your likes and dislikes about the industry. There’s no better place to do that than through internships. Take advantage of the life stage you're in, and take those chances.