Internships are supposed to be stepping stones into your next gig – but what happens when you come back and everything is the same as before? I am currently doing my second (almost unpaid) internship. Although each opportunity been interesting and full of learning, I am worried that nothing has really materialized from my investment yet. How long should you do unpaid internships in a competitive field until you give up?
Good question! Deciding whether it is strategic to hang on and work towards your dream job or find another dream is not a simple question to answer. On one hand, you are getting to “test drive” what it would be like to work in particular organizations and on particular issues that are – in your own words – full of learning for you. On the other hand, we all have bills to pay and other commitments to ourselves, partners and family that need to be met as well. In order for us to answer this question accurately, we would need to know a little more about what you have done (or are doing!) to leverage these opportunities, such as:
Are you clear or becoming clear on what your ideal next step is? Job seekers often tell us that their interests are broad and that they will “take anything”. Although it is prudent not to get too specific in your career path early on, we would encourage you to narrow down your interests to two or three roles and / or issues in order to make your job search more strategic – or looking for that next job can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. Reflect on and rate on a scale of 1 (low) to 10 (high) how you felt about the various aspects of the different paid and unpaid positons you have had including your: 1) level of passion for the type of role you were in; 2) level of passion for the issue you were working on; 3) level of passion for the type of organization you worked for. Do the same for job postings that catch your eye. Patterns should emerge regarding what type of work has excited you the most and which aspects of the work did not and this should help you narrow the types of postings you are looking for in your job search.
What kind of feedback are you getting from your supervisor and colleagues? Most internships and volunteer positions have (or should have) some type of performance review process where you can receive some constructive feedback on your performance. If there is not a system in place, don’t hesitate to ask for one so that you can have a clear read on your strengths and weaknesses vis-à-vis the kind of roles you have been in. This would also be a good time to proactively pick the brain of your supervisor on what kind of reference they would give for you, any opportunities that might be upcoming at the organization and get some mentoring on what your next steps towards your dream job should be from an employers’ perspective.
Do people in your network have clarity on what you are looking for as a next opportunity? Once you have a clear idea of the roles, organization and issues you want to “try on” next – enlist everyone in your network in keeping their eyes open for these opportunities. We find job seekers are often hesitant to ask for support too directly from their contacts, feeling like they are “begging” for work. However, it is really difficult to help someone if you are not clear on what they are asking you. Nonprofit professionals often get asked by people in their own networks for recommendations for short-term contracts and staff positions – and as long as you are simply making a clear request for advice and to give you a heads-up on relevant opportunities that come up in their own networks, this will not create an undue burden for your contacts. Sometimes, it takes a village!
In order for you to consider another internship, what would you need from an organization that would help you come closer to your next job? If you have tried all of the above and still find you are in position of contemplating another internship, think about what you would need to have from the experience that would bring you closer to your dream job. Is it a particular job title for your resume that more accurately communicates the level of authority and responsibility you will have? Specific mentoring from someone in the organization that has a career path similar to the one you want? Professional development opportunities through the organization’s own activities and network? A specific responsibility or task that would help you strengthen one of your weaknesses? Don’t be afraid to negotiate these types of non-financial benefits – this is the area that most nonprofits have the most room to be flexible.
Nancy Ingram is a co-founder and Principal Consultant at Foot in the Door Consulting, which specializes in helping nonprofit professionals build sustainable, satisfying and values-driven careers. Nancy and Foot in the Door Consulting’s team of expert associates have over 45 years of collective experience on both sides of the hiring and management process in the nonprofit sector in variety of sectors including human rights, social justice, environmental justice and animal rights. They can be reached through www.footinthedoorconsulting.com.
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