An Open Letter to My Unpaid Internship

This blog post was written by Intern Queen Campus Ambassador Chandler Clarkson from the University of Mississippi.

Dear Unpaid Internship,

You proved me wrong and exceeded all my expectations. To the job I didn't think would teach me more than money could offer, I owe you a lot. From the paychecks I never received to the hundreds and thousands of dollars I spent living in New York City for three months, to me, every penny was worth it.

I was unsure of you in the beginning, but I knew that I had New York City right outside of my doorstep, so I took the jump and said yes, packed my bags and bought a ticket. I'd recommend you to anyone. Thankfully I loved you from day one (when you offered me bagels.) I practically skipped down 14th Street until I reached the buzzer every morning.

Learning to write a professional email, learning the importance of a notepad, learning who likes what to drink from Starbucks, you taught me all of these. I learned what a small business is like, how it is operated, how everyone wears many hats.

It helps that I loved you, unpaid internship, and the company too. You see, you held many important and incredible people in your hands. I think I would have had a different experience if I hadn't been surrounded by many people who cared, helped and invested in me every day. You too, unpaid internship, played a part in some of their lives before the day they received the offer and paycheck.

Although my parents were hesitant on me moving to another city only to lose money, you gave us all more than we could imagine. So, heres to you, unpaid internship; you made all my dreams come true. Another day, another dollar (spent), yet every day something valuable was learned.

Dannijo, you were an unpaid internship of a lifetime. I can't thank you enough for the indescribable experience where I earned more knowledge than buck.

All the best,Chandler