The Intern That Doesn't Make Coffee

Trawling through my Twitter Feed today I happened across Seventeen SA Ed Janine and Cosmopolitan SA Ed Sbu discussing paid and unpaid internships. It got me thinking, what would Tarryn do? (If I had to start all over...) 

Having been lucky enough to experience both ends of the stick I can say that honestly, I'd choose paid! There are obvious reasons, but for me it's the not-so-obvious reasons that colour my judgement and choice...

1) Paid Interns (I'm going to call us P.I's - just 'cos it sounds cool - I'm not lazy to type on a Friday afternoon at all [Sarcasm Sign]) - P.I's get more responsibilities...

- There is a feeling of an actual investment in you that expects a certain return... You aren't just some Kippie doing any-old-odd job someone else doesn't want to do. (Disclaimer: MOST of the time... Exceptions come at 4.31pm onwards)

2) P.I's have more incentive to be enthusiastic, creative, helpful, passionate (those good adjectives)

 - When you feel you are doing something recognizable and reward-able you are inspired to do your best in all your tasks - e-mails to the worst person in the world included.

3) P.I's learn adult skills (budgeting)

  My savings account now smiles at me every month - instead of shooting daggers at me (Daggers -> minus signs)

4) P.I's adjust better

 I've only been an intern for 6 months & 8 days but people think I've been here over a year and therefore, know all the stories, scandal and skinner from the last Christmas party...

5) You get to buy work clothes!

And sometimes your mom still irons them...

My unpaid internships weren't terrible though, one of them was even at Seventeen (way back in 2007 when I was about to turn 17! - Bright-Eyed, Bushy-Tailed and Un-clipped Wings with dreams of World Peace and the death of Crocs).

I guess I was lucky to have mentors that really wanted to teach me the ways of the world of media ( & THAT made all the difference!) Although those "job-shadows" were only about 2 weeks of Spring break, I still look at them as the most enriching learning experiences of my life (2nd only to reality TV teaching me to make clafouti - I haven't made it yet - cherries & pancake batter - what could go wrong? [this isn't a challenge Murphy])

Chatting to my fellow interns at lunch we came to a conclusion: The benefits of an internship well done is what you learn by actually doing, the experience that you gain can be priceless.

Interning is the best way to gain exposure to the REAL world before you commit to anything as daunting as bonds, taxes and life... You have to choose what would be best for you and be strong and willing to stick to your guns no matter what!

Me? I decided the day Graca Machel tapped me on the head that I would not let 15 years of hard-work, all-nighters and thousands of Rands result in me making coffee and photocopies for hours on end!

What you get when you Google "Intern"

Whooah... Halfway there... (Or Am I?)

Life really is a funny old thing, as much as it has been said, and as much as I've experienced it, I still try my utmost to defy the saying "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans." But being me, with my slight OCD tendencies and my constant need to achieve things I put on lists... I can't just let go and let the wind take me where it will...

I'm a pretty simple girl who wants simple things, all I want is for one of my five-year plans to go according to, well, plan... For instance, by now, I should be 3 months away from my "year in Barcelona" (& probably have some type of conversational Spanish under my belt) Instead, I've only just picked up my passport (yes, I look like a murderer in my photograph). Thank-You Home Affairs for your "excellent" service (only you could turn a week into 2.5 months)!

I don't blame the government though (this time), I blame myself. Next to my dear friend, Staci, I'm probably the most indecisive person I know. This stems from a combination of my need to be a people-pleaser and a perfectionist. (I'm also gonna go ahead and blame Murphy - who I picture as a short, chubby, lonesome man - I swear the bugger follows me around constantly!)

If I had to be selfish and aloof I would be elbow deep in a bowl of sangria somewhere on the sunny beaches of Catalonia, but no, I'm sensible and rational! I think I've only had about 3 spontaneous nights this year...

Oi Vey.

According to this personality test I did the other day I should be talented at devising systems and plans for action, this is probably where my love of five-year plans and lists comes from... My first five-year plan I made in my twilight years of high school (not the movie phase, the actual time period). Sometimes I still look at that piece of black paper with the gold writing (yes, I am also a hoarder) and make myself feel good with all I have achieved... Drivers License, Degree, Internship (of which I'm 6 months into), they are small achievements but they do wonders for those "I-Hate-The-World" days! 

As much as plans often fail, it's impossible for me not to plan. However, with Spring very much here (I can tell by the endless sneezing) I've decided to take a fresh look at how I plan. Take each day as it comes and all that other airy-fairy, laissez faire approach to life, not to get too sad when plans fail. I think I'm going to be vague with my goals and that way I'll always feel a sense of achievement.  Or I'll just be surprised by what life has in store.. (atleast I'll try).

In case someone wanted to surprise me for my birthday or Christmas, here's a hint... (Don't tell my mom, or Lola and Koda)

 

Say Hello To Titbits 2.0

There comes a time when it's necessary for change. Out with the old; in with the new. Today is one of those days... Hence, shiny new and prettier platform! (to see some of my older posts please visit http://blogs.24.com/tarrynjo/)


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Have an awesome weekend all! The sun is out, that means it's playtime in Cape Town!