Taking Chances and Taking Names

Taking Chances and Taking Names
How an Internship Experience Rocked the World of One Terp

Interview by Kelly Hines, University of Maryland Junior

Internships are not only important resume boosters; they also provide an invaluable opportunity to explore and define your skills, talents, motivation and values in relation to your emerging professional life. Where you intern is often not as important as the fact that you intern as the experience helps you learn more about yourself and what you are looking for in developing a meaningful career. We spoke with Alex Bleiweis, University of Maryland Junior, History Major, about his experience interning for the former President Clinton. Here’s what he had to say:

Q: Tell us a little bit about your internship and how you found it.

A: This past summer, I worked as an intern in the office of President William J. Clinton. I read about the opportunity on The Clinton Foundation’s website and decided to give it a shot with no realistic expectations of actually being selected.

After an extensive interview process, I was placed in the President’s personal office where I had the opportunity to meet President Clinton, interact with his staff on a daily basis, and meet other government leaders who visited the office.

Q: What motivated you to seek an internship in this field?

A: My career goal is to be a teacher, so my motivation to get this internship did not have a lot to do with trying to break into the field. Instead, I wanted to put myself in an environment where I could make myself more marketable and acquire knowledge of history and current events by being so close to the action. I knew I’d enjoy going to the office everyday because this opportunity was rare, prestigious, and fun.

Q: How did your internship help you refine your career goals and aspirations?

A: I don’t plan on having a career in politics or in the non-profit sector, but I was still able to improve my writing skills, verbal communication skills, and decision-making skills. I also had the opportunity to work independently and in groups. So although I may not necessarily work in an office just like this, the skills that I acquired there will benefit me no matter what I end up doing. 

Q: What did you learn about yourself at your internship?

A: The most important thing that I learned about myself was that you can never pass up an opportunity to network. The other interns I was working with helped me get in contact with professionals from their past internships so I could ask questions and discuss career opportunities. As far as career plans go, I could see myself working in an office for a few years after I graduate before I start my career in teaching. I really enjoyed the constant interaction with coworkers and the team mentality that is present in a more formal office.

Q: What insight did you gain into professional life while at your internship?

A: As far as professional life goes, I found that wearing a shirt and tie every day, being punctual, and carrying my own weight has made me more mature. Being thrust into a professional setting is a great way to learn about professionalism because I feel like it can’t really be taught until you do it. Learning how to speak on the phone about important things, developing a working relationship with a boss, and dealing with people who may be difficult to agree with are all important professional skills that college students can acquire as an intern.

Q: What is one piece of advice you would give students starting an internship or embarking on the career discovery journey?

A: I would tell students to take a chance. I thought that this internship would be reserved for only the top students at the best universities, and I didn’t think highly of my application or my chances at succeeding. When I was actually accepted, among mostly Ivy League students and Grad students, it made me proud and increased my self-confidence, knowing that I could compete with them. I had a tremendous experience that was worthwhile and I miss being in the office. I’d recommend this internship or any other challenging internship to every student.

As Alex demonstrates, internships serve several important purposes. They equip you with transferable skills, help you clarify what you like and don’t like when it comes to a career, provide networking opportunities to explore an industry more in-depth, and help you kick-start your post-college life with increased confidence and a greater sense of direction.

To learn more about career discovery, visit University of Maryland Counseling Services. For help finding an internship or landing a job, visit University of Maryland Career Center & President’s Promise.