Time To Find Some Monies

The third-year of a media and communications degree: when everything decides to slap you in the face and change its mind.

It would seem that the arts' mentality you spent the last two years getting down pat (ahem; 'Hey! Who needs a job when I can philosophise all I want about Lenin/global warming/feminism all day, every day!') has suddenly given way to this thing called 'getting a job' and your 'future'.  People that were once your friends are now being saved into your memory bank as 'contacts' while you 'network' your way around office water-coolers.  That fuzzing thing so far off in the distance it was basically a mirage is now actually coming into view.  And it's a bit scary.  There, I said it.  

Having recently spent a large majority of my time in the ambiguous world of being an intern, I thought I'd share with you what I've learnt about this thing called being a grown up. 

BE PREPARED.  I started with an obvious one.  Just google the @#$! out of your workplace.  Not so much that you're walking around with a plan of the office airducts in your back pocket, but just so you know what the boss looks like at least. 

OFFICES ARE WAY AWKWARD.  Just accept that you're feeling awkward, that everyone else is probably feeling awkward too, and you'll be okay.  I don't think I'll ever understand why Skype chat is suddenly a socially acceptable way to communicate with your editor who is sitting five steps downstairs, but just do it.  Also, don't add aforementioned editor as a friend on Facebook during, one; the period between your interview and actually starting your internship, and two; in your sleep by accident then have to delete them as a friend in the morning.  You're screaming for gawky.  

FIND ALTERNATIVE EXERCISE.  If it means walking up and down the stairs to go the bathroom, then fine.  When you realise your staring down a future which involves you being sucked into a computer screen for a good 40 hours a week, and you still haven't managed to control the associated food binge that comes with sitting down (all those years of studying paid off as practice), ya gonna feel like a troll by the end of your first day.  No wonder the western world is slowly getting fatter!  And don't say you've got time when your day is over either because you'll be too tired from all that sitting. Take it where you can - ride your bike to the office, walk on your lunch break, heck, stand on the tram on the way there if you have to.  

YOU HAVE SKILLZ.  Again, I know you've just spent a great deal of the past three years getting coffee, skipping class or doing both at the same time. It hasn't all been fruitless though: appaz you got something out of it, those grades mean something...so show!  It'll be weird at first being asked for your opinion, having it listened to and (if you're super lucky) having it made the final call, so go out with guns blazing.  You have nothing to lose and you honestly won't look stupid.  Everyone's too busy being awkward, remember?!