Recent Lessons

Last Thursday I had the opportunity to fly to Dallas for an internship interview with Southwest Airlines. They flew me out, put me in a hotel, and provided transportation from the airport, to the interview, and back to the airport. It was neat! I interviewed for two positions and I already found out that I did not get one of them, so now I just get to sit back and wait a week to hear about the other one. They have 60 positions to fill and they received over 7,000 resumes, being flown out for an interview was such an honor and I am so grateful that I had the opportunity.

I learned some valuable lessons from the experience:

1) I can do anything. I had never flown by myself or stayed at a hotel by myself. I was in a big city all by myself and it was pretty liberating. I had to rely on myself and not be afraid to get out there and do something. I have always considered myself to be independent but this experience really showed me that I am strong and can do anything that I set my mind to.

2) Perseverance pays off. I have applied for this internship every semester for the past year and have never gotten an interview. It was my current internship that led the recruiter to look at my resume, but if I hadn't applied this semester I wouldn't have gotten the interview.

3) There will be too many "No's" before you get a "Yes." I hate this point, but it is the way life goes. I am learning to take each opportunity as experience and be OK with the outcome. I want this internship more than anything right now, but if it doesn't work out, I was able to practice my interview skills and get valuable feedback. Eventually something great will work out, but it is going to take some time and rejection to get there.

4) Preparation shows. I put together a small portfolio of my work for IT and I think it really helped me stand out. It led most of the interview discussion and I was able to physically show what I have done and how it can be applied to work for them. I also looked up interview questions and thought of answers the night before and it helped me organize my thoughts. I felt so calm and composed during the interview and it was my preparation that helped me get to that point.

Thank you Southwest, this opportunity was amazing and I am truly grateful for the chance you gave me to improve my skills and grow.