The age of Instagram, Twitter and Snap Chat is the age of insta-feedback. Today, people tweet, post and chat then immediately watch for the likes, shares and comments to rise like a thermometer’s mercury placed in boiling water.
When I was in college, my studies and internships were vastly different. I spent a year at Exeter University in England. There were no quizzes, tests or papers whose grades counted toward the course grade. The year rested on one three-hour essay exam for each course. This forced us to think strategically throughout the year and analyze which material would have the most weight and prepare accordingly.
That summer upon return I needed an internship to graduate. I could get political science credit by working at a law firm and still have time to wait tables in the evenings.
One law firm had just licensed LexisNexis, the legal research system, and was struggling to engage their lawyers to embrace the new system. I convinced the firm to let me utilize and navigate the system, then tutor their lawyers in doing the same. Meanwhile, I would learn about case law.
My first research case was about an elderly man who remarried only a few months before his death to a woman 30 years his junior. His children were contesting the
will, alleging the marriage had not been consummated. Who knew what consummated meant? And that it could have such huge implications? Fun stuff for a college kid to contemplate, but I digress.
I share the story to illustrate how different today’s internships are from those decades ago. Back then, I just dived in. No one had time or interest to “train” me.
I worry that today we are so busy hovering over our kids and meeting the obligations of organized activities that we are not giving them rein to try, plan, strategize, problem solve, fail and start over.
Savannah’s own Kathleen Fritz launched the project-based learning software CREATOMbuilder on the similar observation that teens need more exposure to problem solving.
At The Creative Coast, we are blessed to welcome Armstrong University communications intern Lauren Purcell. Turns out Lauren is capable of managing a huge range of responsibilities, including all the FastPitch and guest podcast communications such as invitations, rules and schedules.
Lucky for me I didn’t scare Lauren away because initially we struggled. Lauren sought my instruction and approval often, and being no different from dozens of people I meet every week, I didn’t recognize the issue at first and found myself constantly answering Lauren’s questions.
I then realized to do so would minimize a great opportunity to learn. Most importantly, if I continued to direct Lauren’s activity in that manner the product would reflect, at best, my imagination only.
I changed my ways by pretending I was transported back to my own college internship where direction was only provided on Fridays. The results were amazing. When provided with the freedom to explore, Lauren’s wit, humor and creative thinking shines through like the brilliant star she is.
By stepping back and allowing Lauren to step up, I now look forward to what Lauren will produce each day, knowing in advance it will exceed all expectations.
Bea Wray is the executive director of The Creative Coast, a not-for-profit organization that promotes the creative and entrepreneurial community within the region. Bea can be reached at 912-447-8457 or bea@thecreativecoast.org.