I went back to school for a second degree. My first degree was as useful as an extra pair of elbows. I really needed to learn some kind of a trade, not something that would make me sound smart (pretentious) but would actually earn me money. It wasn't a huge trend back then, going back to school, but it was definitely becoming one. So much so that I can't think of many friends who have not done at least two degrees.

According to the Job Seeking Grads Give it the Old College Try in the The Globe and Mail, this trend -- university, then college -- is now in full swing. Quoted in the article is Marilyn Luscombe, the president of New Brunswick Community College, who says, "Colleges are developing a more vital profile in the Canadian landscape and are moving from being the second cousin to the universities to being peers in providing knowledge and training that is required by the work force."

I know someone who's going back for the third time -- also not so unusual -- this time to get a teaching degree which will allow her to lecture at the university level. The two degrees she already has are writing and photography. When thinking about going back to school I can only come up with some less practical degrees for now (like ballet dancing -- I'm 33, do you think I have a chance?) or philosophy (so that I can win arguments smartly). And you, have you thought about going back to school for something or felt like you were forced to?

Jowita

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Karen*, a 23-year-old Canadian student, works for one of the top art institutions in the world: the Royal Academy of Arts (RA). She had applied to a few places and never counted on even hearing back from her first choice despite being a top student. When she did hear -- they wanted her -- she squealed in delight (her words), arranged a flat rental, booked her ticket and off she went.

Two months into the internship we checked with her to find out how things are working out.

What does she like about her internship?

• Being invited to awesome events. I have only gone to a handful of events but they were great for meeting people.
• I do what I want. I walk into my office, do some work and then I can go have lunch and walk around. The freedom given with doing free work can be good.
• The location is awesome! Being situated in the heart of London is amazing. There are galleries and auction houses everywhere. Sotheby's and Christie's anyone? It is important to consider where you will be placed for your internship. Even if things do not work out and it gets boring, if you are in an awesome place then you can make up for it.
• What's in a name? Considering the name of the institution and the reputation is important.
• Working in a medium-sized institution means I got to dabble in the entire Collections Department. A smaller museum would likely mean more tasks and a larger one would translate into more focused tasks.
• I was able to combine my internship with the chance to make my own work (a print). I am working on an edition and I get to put up a work in the staff exhibition at the RA. The fact that I can build my artist CV while pursuing a museum studies degree is amazing.

Sounds great but there must've been some things that annoyed her, no? Yes! Tune into our next and final installment.

Jowita

(*Not her real name – she asked to protect her privacy as the internship is still going on.)

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Internships are meant to teach young people about the work environment they're interested in. And, hopefully, they put theoretical knowledge into practice and test all the assumptions people may have about their goals. So it makes sense that internships would be accessible and should at least partially reflect what a person wants to do for living. Sadly, according to Summer Interns: Few Jobs, Modest Pay, Less Partying, working as an intern means little (or no) pay coupled with menial and often unrelated tasks. Occasionally, applicants even have to pay for their placement.

I was always encouraged to get experience in fields that I wanted to work in. First, during my undergrad Psych degree, I volunteered as a counselor for a distress centre and discovered I was not cut out to deal with people's mental health issues. It was a gratifying experience but I just wasn't that committed to it. Second, I worked at a small-town paper as their Arts & Culture reporter on a very short stint, which, in turn confirmed that I enjoyed telling more than listening.

In both cases, it was the hands-on experiences that gave me a glimpse of what my possible working environment could be like and I'm grateful for it. Over the years, I volunteered and interned at many other places, using what I learned to deduct what worked and what didn't. For example, I couldn't spend a whole day on the phone dealing with people; I needed quiet time. I couldn't do data entry for long periods because I needed variety. I dealt amazingly well with deadlines, however, and produced a lot in a short period of time. I learned all of this by actually doing it.

This is what I think internships are meant to do. I'm curious to find out if things really have gotten so dire -- is it really all about making coffee, copying papers and being broke? Tune into our next two blogs to read about one Canadian intern's experience working for the Royal Academy of Arts in London, England.

Jowita

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The other weekend, I had a bike accident. I split my shin open and fainted right in the middle of the city on a very hot day. I was in a bit of a shock from the injury and was not doing too great in general. Within seconds, what seemed like a dozen people were ready to help me and paramedics were on their way. I got a ride to the emergency room in an ambulance and everything ended relatively well –- I was stitched up, cleaned up and home three hours later. I was so impressed with everyone who helped, but I especially couldn’t get over the paramedics. This is what they do all the time –- deal with people in shock, often in pain, often in crazy weather conditions. I mean, I know that everyone knows this about paramedics. but I don’t think I really appreciated them until I needed them.

Whether or not you receive paramedic care is often the deciding factor between life and death or disability. It can also determine how long you stay in a hospital, if at all. Paramedics have to have great decision-making and leadership skills and be empathetic and firm on top of that.

Last month, Toronto Emergency Medical Services celebrated EMS week where paramedics and emergency medical dispatchers met with people to talk about their work and to educate them about handling medical emergencies. If you missed EMS week, you can always take a course to learn first aid and CPR -- you never know when you might need it.

ttyl

Jowita

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