Personal Growth Through a Cross-Country Internship

When I accepted a summer internship 3,000 miles from home, I was equal parts excited and terrified. The thought of living in a new city, on my own, for twelve weeks was thrilling, and I was eager to get out of my comfort zone. But as the departure date crept closer, reality set in. I was leaving everything familiar: my family and my college town. Not to mention, I had never had an internship before, and I was worried I wouldn't be a good fit for the job. Regardless of my fears, I packed my bags and boarded the plane anyway. 

A Crash Course in Adulthood:

Moving across the country for an internship was more than a professional opportunity, it was also a crash course in independence, resilience, and self-discovery. In those first few days, everything felt unfamiliar. New streets, new apartment, new coworkers. Knowing that my family was a 6-hour flight away was intimidating, but I tried not to think about it for the time being. I had to figure out public transportation, navigate traffic in a city I didn’t know, and adjust to a whole new pace of time. There were moments when I questioned whether I was in over my head being so far from home, but deep down, I knew I had made the right decision. 

Stepping Into the Professional World:

Professionally, the internship itself has been intense and rewarding. I have been pushed to learn quickly, contribute to real projects, and communicate with professionals who have been in this field for years. The most exciting part of my experience is that I am no longer a student in a classroom; I am part of a team with real responsibilities and expectations. This shift helped me gain confidence in my abilities and see myself as capable, not just a student learning how to be an advertising professional.

What surprised me the most about this experience isn't what I am learning at the office, but what I am learning about myself outside of it. I realized I’m a lot more adaptable than I thought. I can handle being alone without being lonely. I can make a new place feel like home with just a few new friends. I also learned how important it is to ask for help in and outside of my job. 

Growth Lives Outside Your Comfort Zone:

Throughout my internship so far, I learned that growth doesn’t happen in your comfort zone. It happens when you’re stretched, challenged, and forced to figure things out on your own. If you ever get the chance to move across the country for an internship or any temporary adventure, take it. It won’t be perfect. But it will challenge you, shape you, and stay with you. 

Claire is a junior majoring in Advertising and Public Relations with a PR emphasis! She currently serves on the PRSSA E-board as the Professional Development Director. After college she hopes to work in sports media. Her fun fact is that she has an internship in Idaho this summer!