Executive Interning Over 40 - A Great Way To Re-Invent Yourself
By Linda Franklin
All
of us are familiar with the traditional definition of an intern. It's usually a
student that you invite into your business to lend a hand in exchange for course
credit and some on-the-job training. However, these tough economic times is
making it necessary for many women to re-enter the workforce. Now have Executive
Interns, a new term coined to describe a woman over 40 applying for these
positions that have entered the mainstream. It’s a win/win situation. The
company wins from the experience of the intern for little or no money. The
intern learns wins by learning new skills that will prepare her for the next
job.
I myself was an intern. It wasn't easy to re-invent myself after so many years
on Wall Street, but I thought it would be fun to try breaking into in the world
of communication. I had zero experience in that field, so I had to figure out
how I could get on-the-job training without any media background. That’s when I
came up with the idea of becoming an intern.
I made the rounds of radio stations in New York City, and that led me to WNYC, the New York City public radio station. The Human Resources Department couldn’t believe I wanted to be an intern, but after I sold them on the idea, they offered me a job.
I started my new adventure by working every Tuesday as an assistant to the producers of The Brian Lehrer Show. My duties were to look for potential guests, cover local press conferences, and since Brian’s show involved call-ins from listeners, I became their call screener. My intern position provided me with great exposure to the world of radio by doing a little bit of everything.
My year as an intern was a gift. It made clear to me what I wanted to do next. It also gave me a sense of belonging, which I really missed. When I left I knew for certain that I would be starting a new career in communications.
Now it’s five years later. I am running my own communication company. My company’s name is The Real Cougar Woman, and my audience is women over 40. My blog, radio show, and online women’s community cover all concerns women have at this stage of their life. We cover topics from the fear of aging, to re-igniting your sex life, to knowing when it’s time to leave a relationship. My time as an intern gave me insights into the media that I am using today to make my business a success.
There is one more thing I want to convey about interning. When you make the decision to do this, you really have to let your ego go. Chances are you are going to be the oldest member of the team. This means you will be taking your marching orders from someone young enough to be your kid, and that may be a big challenge. Every time you have second thoughts, remember the experience you get will help you find a place in today's job market, or the confidence to start a new business doing what you love. I did it and so can you.
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Linda Franklin is the founder and director of The Real Cougar Woman www.therealcougarwoman.com. She is a speaker, writer, and advocate for women over 40.
Source: April, 2009 Put Old on Hold Newsletter
Barbara Morris — Image F/X Publications
Barbara@PutOldOnHold.com
760-480-2710
© 2009 – Image F/X Publications, All rights reserved
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