In Nov 2019, Journalism student Gisele Soo got an internship at the iconic Ipoh Echo publication. Today, she’s got a permanent job there before she graduated. In her own words, this is how she did it.
If you really think about it, an internship is like the best free audition of your life. You get three months of exposure in the working world, with less pressure and expectation.
You learn so much about yourself during an internship. My time at the Ipoh Echo gave me new experiences, new skills and a world of confidence. Now I’m blessed to be part of one of Ipoh’s most beloved institutions.
Here’s how I turned my three-months of practical training into a full time job
Fall Back on What You Learned in Class
The subjects I took helped me through my internship from the outset. I’ve always had a keen interest in writing and photography, and in class I learned how to write an effective news article and capture a quality photograph.
On the first day of my internship, I was assigned to cover the launch of a Barbie and Hot Wheels promotion at the Lost World of Tambun with a senior reporter.
There was a weird mix of excitement and fear in the pit of my stomach. At the launch, I went all hot and shivery as if I was trapped in a windowless room. I slid through the crowd to get a better sight of the stage but instead I found myself zoning out, staring blankly at the speaker.
But then, I remembered the basics of what I learned in class. I managed to escape the I-have-no-idea-what’s-going-on bubble, spoke to my interviewees and shot some pictures.
The fundamentals steered me on the right track and I turned in the write-up the following day.
Be Open to Feedback
Of course when I turned it in, I received some feedback for improvement. It was my first story after all.
“It’s OK,” went the inner voice in my head. “I’m here to learn, so don’t whinge and don’t complain.”
Mistakes are important for learning. Life is an ongoing learning process. In fact, making mistakes is the most effective way to learn. Never let a few errors dampen your fire!
Over time, I have grown to be more receptive of ideas. It is important to identify your priorities and to understand what is expected of you.
Challenge Yourself
The USA Today bestselling author, Marie Hall once said, ‘Life is never going to be smooth sailing, but I’ve to learn to roll with the punches.’
It sounds cliché, but if you don’t push yourself, you’ll never learn how much better you can be. We grow when we’re out of our comfort zones.
I once attended a solo exhibition on my own which I thought would be fun even if I had to juggle multiple tasks at once. It taught me so much.
What most of us may not realise is that ‘your job is not merely a job,’ it is a part of you. If you’re looking to clock in and clock out, chances are you’re not going to give the best of yourself.
Get Involved, Get Interested, Get Better
Despite only being here briefly, I’ve discovered that if you lack interest in what you do, you would have a tendency of slacking and wasting your time.
It’s so important to get emotionally involved in what you’re doing. Find ways to be inspired and motivated, and you will breeze through your tasks.
I have grown fond of what I am doing, I look up to the people I work with and want to emulate them. They are my role models, so I set my heart to continue writing and I aspire to be better.
Be Open to Change
Learning is a journey, not a destination. It may take you down paths you never imagined, but you will benefit from the journey.
I started my internship with the Echo in the editorial department. I continued as a stringer (a freelance reporter) for two months before I joined the marketing department full-time.
Although it might be challenging to do something out of my forte, I take this as an opportunity to grow. If you can embrace change with an open heart, you will be able to get the best from it.
My time here has been an incredible experience and I can’t wait for the next stage.
Gisele is a marketing executive at the Ipoh Echo, a bastion of our city’s legacy.. She indulges her passion for photography at https://www.instagram.com/sour.lemonade12/
