Balancing an Internship With School

This semester, I had the opportunity to work as an OEM Operational Analyst intern for Lenovo- the new namesake of our basketball arena! As a sophomore studying finance with an interest in technology, the chance to work for a company as prominent in the industry as Lenovo was extremely exciting. Over the winter break, I was interviewed by the Lenovo team and was subsequently extended an offer. Although I was ecstatic that such an established, reputable company wanted me to work for them, it was a tough decision to make. 

On top of deciding to graduate a year early, I had a lot of commitments this semester. I served in my second semester as an Engagement Manager for Consult Your Community (a pro bono consulting club), worked for Parents and Families services for my fourth semester, joined the club field hockey team, and joined Chi Omega. I am also part of the Park Scholarships program and took a full-time course load – in short, I was already really busy. Looking at what I already had on my plate, I couldn’t see where an internship would fit in. However, I knew that this was something I wanted to do, and I was determined to make it work. 

My biggest challenge for this semester was (unsurprisingly) time management. It seemed like I had so much to do and not enough hours in the day to get everything done. For this reason, Google Calendar became my best friend. MyPack Portal, the system we use for everything from financial aid to registration to major changes, can be easily integrated into Google Calendar. From the Enrollment Wizard tab, it’s easy to export all classes, events, and other commitments directly into your Google Calendar. 

My other challenge was avoiding burnout. With so many commitments to juggle, I had to make sure that I didn’t completely exhaust myself before the semester ended. My strategy for managing burnout was making sure that I had a good mix of professional, academic, service, and recreational commitments. When I first got to college, I wasn’t sure if Fraternity and Sorority life was for me, but after joining Chi Omega this semester, it provided the perfect outlet after long days of work and studying. Commitments like Chi Omega, field hockey, and CYC made the long days of working for Lenovo and weekends spent studying for exams far more enjoyable. 

Time management in college is a struggle for anyone, no matter how busy you are. This semester has taught me so much about my drive, determination, and capabilities. If your student is unsure of whether they should join a club, take a class, or apply for a job, my resounding advice is do it. You only get the chance to experience college once, and I believe that you should make the most of it! Your student is capable of so much more than they think, and I believe pushing the boundaries of your comfort zone is a great way to learn and grow. 

Kiran Muttathil

Parent Ally