During the past few days on this blog, we’ve shared posts from various members of our wonderful group of spring semester interns. They have graciously shared personal thoughts and reflected on a semester of learning by doing in the University of Mississippi public relations department.
As I read each one, I beamed with a bit of pride as I read about the opportunities they gained from working with us. However, I kept noticing that one thing was missing from each of their writings: what they have been teaching during their internships.
Our department functions as a team. There is constant collaboration among writers, editors, social media gurus, videographers and others, to cover breaking news, events, honors and awards and the everyday issues that impact life on campus. (Who doesn’t love an update about construction and parking, right?) However, on a daily basis, it is my sheer joy to supervise the interns. That means I get to take advantage of the many things these students have to teach.
I recently read that one of the biggest mistakes made in the workplace by folks like me—those who have been working for, let’s be kind here and say more than a “few” years—is not sufficiently valuing reverse mentoring. Being on a college campus makes that a nearly impossible mistake to make.
Even during the most hectic of days, interns remind me about the importance of a positive attitude. They force my hand to plan ahead to make sure they have meaningful projects that help them hone a variety of skills. They show up on time, with smiles on their faces, ready to get the job done. They also share their fears about upcoming tests and projects, which reminds me to remember to meet people where they are and put everything into perspective. They remind me of where I was when I was their age, wanting to get that good grade, wanting to earn the respect of my supervisor and desperate to deliver quality, creative work that set me apart from others.
Their questions challenge me to remember the basics, to double-check facts, to listen for ways to be constructive with my feedback and to ask questions that ultimately make me better at what I do. And when it comes to new technologies and social media networks, they have moved me way beyond my comfort zone. It is a great reminder that I do not have all the answers and there is always something new to learn.
Being around interns also means learning about cultures from other parts of the country, and this semester, from around the globe. Hearing their stories from home and learning more about the journey each person took to get here—as well as where they want that path to take them—broadens my own world. It’s fabulous.
So, to Ashley, Anne, Sudu, Elizabeth, Esther and Bridget, thank you for taking time to teach me and to make me a better mentor. As the semester comes to a close, each one of these talented interns prepares to move on to new adventures. I am still lacking a personal Pinterest account, have not quite mastered Twitter and remain an arm’s length from Instagram. But I do know the importance of basics, of putting my best foot forward each day and that showing up with a ready-to-learn attitude still matters. And after all, tomorrow is another opportunity to face a fear and learn something new.