This is a special post explaining why I want to go beyond my limits to make sure I get the most I can from this internship period! I usually go with cat drawings/pics but this is so special that will be different!
Last week I was surprised, during my one-one meeting with my mentor, she said that I was working too hard and too many extra hours, and that I shouldn’t, since this is just a job… I hope to explain why I don’t see myself working too hard (it’s barely enough actually) and most of all, explain what this internship means to me.
I don’t think I ever told anyone, except my husband, what this internship really means to me. Yet I think it is a good thing to share with everyone, specially my mentor and my team.
I don’t consider myself “working too hard” because I don’t consider this “just a job”.
For me its so much more than a job, it’s a unique opportunity! Why? Well, I’m trying to change careers at the age of 28! That means I need time to study but still need to work to make a living. Outreachy and Mozilla gave me the chance to do both at the same time!
This internship gave me the opportunity to make the money I need, study and learn full time while still getting to experience the real job with amazing people, amazing team and amazing company, just how good is this? I can basically dedicate all the time I have to this internship since it takes care of all my needs!
Had I not being accepted to a paid internship I would have kept working as a developer while (very slowly) studying data science and maybe in a few years try to get a job in the area.
The other reason is that I have limited time to learn, there is no guarantee that I’ll be offered a job anywhere right after the internship ends. I NEED to make the most of my time while I have the chance, It is only 3 months (which is really not enough, I wish the internship was longer) to learn enough to try finding a job on the area.
I see this internship as my “chance to a better future”, a future where some of my dreams can come true a lot easier, and since I’m having this unique opportunity to work and study what I want, I WILL make the most of my time. I would not be exaggerating to say that what I want to my future depends on this internship being 200% success. I have no other priority for these few months, which is why I’m giving my all, going beyond! PLUS…ULTRA!
There is also the fact that I’m having fun! I’m not working too hard because I’m not just working, I’m also learning and having fun (yes, I truly enjoy the ‘work’), and if you consider this, work time + study time + fun time = 12 hours a day, its not much. I mean, you could consider that I’m only working 4 hours, studying another 4 and doing an enjoyable fun activity for another 4 hours. Not much!
Also, I’m not giving up living to work. Even with my mindset of “PLUS ULTRA for the internship!”, I still go to movies with friends, have a dinner out with my husband, make lunch everyday, watch anime, play with cats, do the house chores, visit family, and so on. I’m still living a very normal enjoyable life while dedicating all I can to the internship!
I’m not working too hard. I’m the one who should be thankful for the possibility to use all the resource I’m offered to keep studying and playing after “work time”. Thank you!
Neko Notes 