I have been a French major for many years now. Combined with a passion for ancient history, my internship in preserving and spreading knowledge about ancient history has been what I consider an incredibly beneficial experience for my future career. Through this internship, I have gained valuable skills in research, writing, and communication, which will be essential in any future career path I choose to pursue.
While my major does not directly tie into the field of ancient history preservation, my passion for the subject has made this internship a fulfilling and enjoyable experience. As I have mentioned before, I work as an interpreter, and through this internship I have been able to apply my language skills to help translate and edit materials, as well as my research skills— which have allowed me to contribute to the organization's mission of preserving knowledge about the past.
In order to be successful in this internship, I believe it was important to have a strong foundation in research and writing skills, as well as an interest and passion for the subject matter. I doubt that I would have gotten far with any part of the research process and keeping up with the hours if I did not care much about it. I would also like to mention that a willingness to learn and adapt to new tasks and projects was essential in making the most of this opportunity.
Reflecting on my experience, it may not seem like it at first, but I believe that I am studying to preserve at least a piece of ancient history, and I know I have gained a deeper appreciation for the importance of preserving knowledge about the past and sharing it with others. This internship has also helped me believe that my skills and interests are well-suited to this field.
If I were interested in trying to pursue or secure a full-time position in this field, I recognize that I would need to gain more experience in research, writing, and communication, as well as continue to expand my knowledge and understanding of ancient history. I have already learned much these past months, but there is always room for more knowledge and learning how to better oneself. As I am interested in grad school, a degrees in a related field, maybe linguistics, may also be beneficial in achieving my career goals.
Obviously everyone learns how to do things their way in college, yet my advice for incoming interns would be to approach this experience with an open mind and a willingness to learn. Take advantage of every opportunity to gain new skills and knowledge, and don't be afraid to ask questions or seek feedback from supervisors and colleagues. I know sometimes we may want to take on a task by ourselves, either because we want to prove we can do it, or because some timid part of us holds us back from asking for help. Ask anyways.
Overall, my internship in ancient history preservation has been a valuable and rewarding experience, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have contributed to what I consider to be an important mission.
Love your sentiments of an open mind and willingness to learn- something you should continue to do even into your career! Great thoughts!