The unique part of my internship is that we are in no way site-based. As you can see (or read), I’ve been allll over the place in the last few months. I’ve talked about some of these places, and have left out others.  I learn something new with every location; whether that’s what to do, or what Not to do. My business card holder is filling up very quickly from both networking and….well, just working.

Everyone who takes us on as interns has been in our shoes.  They know what we’re doing now and what lies ahead.  Some have been great teachers and mentors, while others have just been there.  Some have been very inspiring, while others have been a great example of how to “settle.”  Whether they’ve been at the job for one year, or for 30, they have something to offer me. I just have to be willing to see it, hear it, or accept it.

So far I haven’t really met a dietitian that I didn’t like. However, I’ve definitely met a few that I don’t agree with, and a few that I wish that I could give advice to.

In any job, I’m quickly learning there are many “types” of workers. You’ll have people who love their job, people who settled for their job, people who want to learn from their job, people who are content staying in one place forever and people who are constantly moving up and up.  Yes, I’ve definitely witnessed each end of the spectrum. I’m picking up on characteristics that I want to portray as a future employee, and how to portray them.

Someone I used to work with in college, at a library, told me this: No matter what your job is, make yourself invaluable.

In other words, never let your employer (or fellow employees, for that matter) question why you are there. Do your job, do it well, and do it in a way that nobody else can/will.

I think that in this market today, those words themselves are invaluable.

I’m very lucky to be part of an internship that is focusing on this for us. We are learning html-coding and web design, we’re creating a personal web site, we’re working at multiple locations and building up quite a network, we’re submitting abstracts for a local dietetics’ conference, and we’re also doing our homework on the side. Sometimes, I’m overwhelmed and thinking this is crazy! But most of the time, I’m getting excited. I want to have a job I love, that I work hard for, and that I work hard to excel at. This will be over before I know it, and I’ll (hopefully) have the opportunity to put myself to the test; the opportunity to make my mark, and to pass on what I’ve learned to the next group.

Posted by Mary Ellen Nunes at 02/19/2009 11:22:51 AM