Making an Internship Count (Even After It's Over)

By now you’ve worked long hours, made relationships, collaborated on projects, and completed your internship experience.  Hopefully, you’ve grown through the hard work and learned a few things along the way.  As you look back, you can see that you have had a positive, worthwhile experience while interning because you set it up for success and worked hard during the experience. 

So, now what?

Of course, your internship experience is valuable content for your resume.  However, there are other ways to make an internship experience even richer after it is over.

(1) Recall your work, and write it down.

Take some time to reflect.  Write out each task you completed, and think about specific action verbs to describe what you did.  This will help you develop an entry about your experience for your resume.  Once developed, add the details of your experience to your resume and LinkedIn profile, or write a post for your blog or an article about your experience for your school.  Consider speaking on a panel at your school about your internship, or ask a professor how you might showcase your experience further.  More exposure and visibility helps build credibility around you and your experience.

(2) Provide feedback.

Describe to your supervising professor or supervisor at your internship what you spent most of your time doing and what could be better for the future for other interns.  Think of any related-to-your-internship advice that you could provide to others.  What skills are necessary for a successful internship?  What work did you enjoy?  What could have been better?  Keep it positive, but don't be afraid to provide constructive criticism to help future interns, the internship site, and any supervising professors understand what went well and what could be better for the future.  This feedback helps you demonstrate your interest and own your experience while being an honest voice for others to learn from you and interact with you.  

(3) Ask (sooner rather than later after the experience) for a letter of recommendation.

Ask for a letter of recommendation from the supervisors and colleagues with whom you worked most closely.  When you ask, be prepared to have a letter or at least bullet points already written about your work with that person.  This makes it easier on the person you're asking for the letter if you have something already prepared, and it allows you to control the message somewhat by helping narrow the focus for the tone and intended audience of the letter.

(4) Stay in touch.

Send a handwritten thank you note after your experience to your former supervisors and colleagues.  Connect with your former supervisors and colleagues on LinkedIn.  Send an old-fashioned, handwritten holiday greeting once a year.  Send an e-mail once in awhile to keep them thinking of you (e.g. "this article reminded me of project ABC that we worked on together last summer.  I thought you would find it interesting.").  This will help you to stay at the top of their minds if you need a future reference.  

(5) Just keep going.

It may be difficult to consider at this point in your career where your focus should be.  As aspiring professionals, we should focus on what value we can add to a potential employer instead of creating self-serving experiences.  Your first internship experience may not lead to your dream job, but trust that each experience moves you that much closer to where you would like to be.  The skills, relationships, and knowledge you acquire throughout an internship experience can only help you develop professionally and personally.  Have confidence that you've made important steps toward advancing your career, and you do so with each step you take or experience you accumulate.  Trust the process; enjoy the journey; and stay encouraged that each internship is another step toward your career goals.

© 2017 Melanie Glover. All rights reserved.

First image above:  Shutterstock.

Restaurant / Bar Review: Brewery Bhavana in Raleigh, NC

A trip to Raleigh, North Carolina over Labor Day weekend 2017 landed me in a new brewery (among many that we tried that weekend) that I had never visited before.  This brewery, my family member warned, was unlike any other.  It was also a dim sum restaurant.  And sold flowers.  And had BOOKS (for sale and browsing).  She knew it was a surprise I would love, and she was right.  I really could not imagine a better combination of tastes, smells, and feels.  

My senses were so overwhelmed that my family member had to call me back to reality.  "Melanie," she encouraged while handing me the menu, "order a drink."  I proceeded to read over the descriptions of wildly crafty cocktails when I saw the word "vermouth," and my eyes read no further.  I love any concoction that incorporates the smoothness of vermouth, especially if fruit is involved.  I decided on a gin and vermouth cocktail that finished with an orange twist.  And while waiting on my drink, I gave myself permission to start at the perimeter of the brewery and work my way around it.

The books (over the flowers) called my name.  I got lost in one (or two or three or four) books while waiting for family and friends to join me with our beverages.  When they arrived, I had already acquainted myself with the various genres of the in-brewery library that consumed an entire wall standing between the brewery and the dim sum restaurant (everything is connected and flows together).  They handed me my drink, which was delicious yet strong.  While my beverage choice may be different next time, the mix of tasting a sweet vermouth, being surrounded by dear family and friends, and reading positive affirmations from the many self-care books lining the shelves reminded me that there are places in the world and times in life where you really can have it all.

While we did not have the opportunity to eat at this restaurant, taste the beer, or purchase any flowers, my favorite things about it were:

(1) The ambiance.  The brightness (both natural light and warm light fixtures) of the space is both charming and inviting.

(2) The eclectic cocktail drink menu.  The variety of pours is tempting -- I had a hard time making a decision to pick just one drink.

(3) The smells.  The dim sum selections made me want to stay for dinner!

(4) The books.  The books (for browsing) are categorized by genre and are in alphabetical order by author last name.  The variety is also impressive.  And, it's a great way to meet people in a more relaxed environment where talking out loud about shared interests via books is appropriate (versus a library or book store).

Overall, I would encourage any curious reader / cocktail connoisseur / Asian food consumer / flower enthusiast to check out this place for its character and entertainment value.  There are many reasons to return to explore the food, beer, cocktails, books, and flower arrangements.  In my view, it is the perfect multi-purpose downtown Raleigh stop, whether you happen to be out and about on a Saturday searching for a fresh bouquet of flowers, or enjoying a mid-afternoon date with a dear one.  You won't be disappointed!

© 2017 Melanie Glover. All rights reserved.

Recipe: Tortilla Española / Tortilla de Patata (Spanish Potato Omelet)

This fall, I decided to take a course in Latin America food regulation.  The course began by asking us to name a particular Latin American dish that we enjoyed or considered to be our favorite.  While I could not think of a favorite Latin American dish, I immediately thought of the Spanish potato omelet.  

My own experience learning how to make the Spanish potato omelet, otherwise known as "tortilla de patata" or "tortilla española" in Spanish, was neither easy nor fun.  However, my first failed attempts taught me the most important technique while making the tortilla:  it is the thorough mixing of the cooked potatoes and beaten eggs before frying that helps give the tortilla its perfect blend of flavors.  Two years in Spain fortunately gave me plenty of opportunties to practice and practice again.  Here are a few other important key tips to remember:

1.     Salt the potato mixture periodically throughout the entire process.

2.     Combine the eggs and potato mixture into a large mixing bowl, mixing well and letting the mixture sit for at least a few minutes to allow the eggs and potato to blend well together.

3.     Stick a fork in the cooked tortilla after flipping it a few times to determine whether it is done.  Depending on preference, a “done” tortilla can range from a slightly runny center to a thicker center.  I personally prefer tortilla with a thicker center.

This particular recipe serves four people (yielding four large slices), or it stores well for leftovers (enjoy within two days!).

Utensils:

Medium- or large-sized non-stick frying pan

Spatula

Thin plate or pot/pan lid large enough to cover the frying pan (for flipping)

Large mixing bowl

Small mixing bowl

Peeler

Chef’s knife

Fork or whisk

Spoon

Cutting board

Ingredients:

Between ½ and 1 cup of extra virgin olive oil (light for cooking; exact quantity will depend on the size of the pan used)

½ medium white onion, chopped (quantity is optional)

6 medium-sized potatoes

4 eggs

Salt (the amount used is discretionary, but in total, I probably use about ¼ cup of salt throughout the entire tortilla-making process)

Steps:

1.     Wash and peel the potatoes. 

2.     Dice the potatoes into very small pieces (the size is at your discretion), and season them with salt.  If you choose to add onion, you may dice the onion at this point, too.

3.     Begin heating the oil in the non-stick frying pan.  Heat the oil slowly on a low to medium flame.  As the oil begins to bubble at the bottom of the frying pan, begin adding the potatoes.  Add the potatoes slowly – a few at a time, creating a pile – to avoid burns.  If you choose to use the onion, you may also add the onion at this time.

4.     Add more oil if necessary so that the potatoes are mostly submerged in the oil.  The potatoes must cook very slowly, so avoid high heat so that they do not fry.  The potatoes should cook for about 20 minutes on low-medium heat.  Stir/turn the potatoes to keep them from sticking to the bottom of the pan, and add salt occasionally.  It is okay if some of the potatoes stick together during this step.

5.     After the potatoes turn a light-brown color and are soft, (some of them may even fall apart) drain most of the oil from the frying pan.  Carefully put the potatoes into the large mixing bowl, and set the bowl aside.

6.     Beat the four eggs together in the small mixing bowl.

7.     After beating the eggs well, add them to the large mixing bowl containing the cooked potatoes.  Mix the potatoes and eggs all together, adding salt.  Set the mixture aside for about 10 minutes.

8.     In the meantime, coat the large frying pan with a thin layer of oil.  The mixture does not need to be submerged in oil this time, so about ¼ cup of oil should be enough to cover the bottom of the large frying pan.  Slowly begin to heat the oil again.  When the oil is hot, add the potato-egg mix, and set the flame on medium.  The goal is not to fry the tortilla but rather to lightly cook the outside of it to give it shape and a light-brown color.  Use a spoon to help round the edges of the omelet as it is cooking.

9.     After about one to two minutes, flip the omelet using the plate/lid.  I recommend flipping the omelet over a nearby sink if possible to contain the oil.

10.  Repeat step nine a few times to provide shape to the tortilla.  The tortilla is finished cooking after both sides of the tortilla are light brown in color.  Four flips should be sufficient, and I suggest waiting about two to three minutes between flips to allow the tortilla to take on its shape and color.

11.  Use a fork to determine if the tortilla is cooked inside to your liking.  I recommend that the tortilla have a soft yet firm texture, although some Spaniards do like it a bit runnier!  Whatever your preference, enjoy!

Season of consumption:  All

© 2017 Melanie Glover. All rights reserved.

First image above:  Shutterstock.

Doing the Next (Extraordinary) Thing

Over a lunch conversation with a dear friend, we discovered we were both feeling the same way about life:  tired, stressed, and pulled in many different directions.  The abundance of tasks in both our personal and professional lives had grown unwieldy.  We empathized with each other despite our very different places in life.  Somehow, the struggle was the same.

The conversation reminded me of a book I had read only a year ago.  Last year, I received a book recommendation called Present over Perfect by Shauna Niequist.  The book, without giving it away, was about the author’s battle to choose to be present in her life without giving into opportunities to constantly seek perfection instead of mindfulness.  I was going through a time in life where mindfulness techniques seemed to be the only way to help me categorize and prioritize my thoughts and feelings for all contexts.  At the time, the book was just what I needed:  courage to give myself permission to prioritize the things in my life that most interest me; to say no when I need (or want) to; and a sense of being enough in a world with endless demands that cause anxiety and overwhelm.  

While my friend and I shared our meal and exchanged recent challenges, I confessed to the feeling that seemed to be holding me back:  fear.  Fear of the unknown; fear of not having enough time or energy; fear of being afraid too long; fear of not growing; etc.  The list goes on.  Once we concluded explaining our lists of fears and anxieties to each other, I gave (us) the only advice I could think of.  I advised that we do the next right thing.

“What’s the next right thing?” she asked.  “That’s pretty vague.” 

I thought about it.  It could be drinking a cup of coffee, or it could be writing an important e-mail to a colleague.  It could be picking children up from school, or it could be making a call to schedule an overdue appointment with a therapist for the first time.  The range is incredible and unending.  The options are limitless.  I saw her point; doing the next right thing really could be anything.

As I recalled my own list of fears in my mind, my eyes filled with tears.  She was right.  How could I decide on the next right or best thing for myself when it wasn’t clear?  Again, I felt overwhelmed (and still afraid).

We talked about how we never wanted to become complacent and how we wanted to always encourage each other toward greatness.  We promised each other never to let ourselves become static professionals or people.  We talked about taking risks and how they make you feel most alive.  We talked about how the scariest times in our lives have also been some of the most worthwhile. 

She replied, “Perhaps it’s better to say ‘do the next extraordinary thing.’” 

I thought to myself.  What’s extraordinary?  It is definitely something more definable and specific than “right” or “best.”  To challenge myself to do the next extraordinary thing means confronting those fears that cause paralysis, and confronting them daily.  It seemed that asking this question, I couldn't get stuck in sameness or a multitude of demands (or the potential would at least decrease). 

Committing myself to asking the question about what next extraordinary thing I can do on a daily basis means constant re-evaluation.  It means, I hope, continual self-improvement.  It means using the best of my brain and my heart to pursue my personal and professional goals.  It means creating a string of extraordinary moments to create an extraordinary life.

I smiled.  I loved the way she had revised my advice.  My mind immediately began to think of the next extraordinary thing I could, should, or needed to do.  As I asked the question, so the answer came to me.  But the gift of implementing this advice was not in the reaction I received after completing my first extraordinary task.  The gift was watching myself go through the exercise of asking the question, and overcoming the fear of inaction.  My hope is that, over time, this question will become a pattern of behavior for me.

By asking yourself “what’s the next extraordinary thing” that you can do to further your professional or personal goals is a simple, mindful way to pursue self-growth and combat fear.  It is my hope that you, too, never stop asking the question. 

© 2017 Melanie Glover. All rights reserved.

First image above:  Shutterstock.

Dedication:  To my friend who helped inspire this post, thank you for your friendship and commitment to extraordinary living.

Avoiding Atrophy: Simple Exercises for Limited Spaces

So you've got a long flight, or perhaps you have the type of job that requires you to sit at a desk, machine, or in meetings for most of the day.  Here is a list of simple exercises (no weights required!) that you can incorporate into your (mostly) seated lifestyle to keep the blood flowing and your muscles as active as possible despite having to sit for long periods of time.

Airplane

--Toe raises

--Calf raises 

--Leg extensions

--Standing forward fold (hamstring stretch)

--Overhead arm stretches

Of course, simply getting up to retrieve an item out of the overhead bin or taking a walk through the cabin are worthwhile, too!

Small space:  office, hotel, etc.

--Squats:  using a chair for guidance, stand up and sit down (repeat as desired, but aim for sets of at least 50 repetitions at a time to raise your heart rate)

--Static bodyweight lunges in place (alternate legs)

--March in place

--Jumping jacks

Resistance bands:  

Resistance bands are handy to keep tucked in a drawer at the office or bring along in your suitcase on a trip.  They take up little room and are very lightweight.  Whenever you're feeling stiff, pull out your resistance band and try some of these exercises:

--Squats with a shoulder press

--Glute kickbacks (alternate legs)

--Deadlifts

--Bicep curls

--Upright row

Enjoy being creative with your movements in a small, confined space!

© 2017 Melanie Glover. All rights reserved.

First image above:  Shutterstock.