Minimize your panic

To all of you underclassmen who are scrambling to land a consulting internship, stressing about getting the BEST DukeEngage, or simply banging your heads against the wall in fear of the worst, let me tell you a story.

The summer after my first year at Duke, I did the exact opposite. I thought I had my summer plans in the bag because I am one-of-a-kind and everyone wants me, right? I was sure I would become a counselor for a merit-based summer program for high school students, known as the Young Scholars Program (YSP), and make some serious green in the process. To my naïve surprise, their rejection wiped that smug look off my face. YSP chose someone else (my best friend attending Dartmouth), and I got rejected from DukeEngage. I was getting ready to leave for beach week with zero summer plans. I remember talking (crying) on the phone with my mom. College summers were just as important as high school summers! My hyper-vigilant, type-A personality was kicking into gear. What could I do?

Two weeks later, I received a call from my mom: “Do you want to go to China? We can arrange to have you travel alone and volunteer at a non-profit.” My mom has secretly (but actually openly) always wanted to drop me somewhere in China so that I would be forced to learn the language, and I guess this was her chance. I know what you’re all thinking: that sounds awesome, stop complaining! It was a summer in which I contracted horrible illnesses three times, changed living arrangements twice and was unable to communicate with only a single year of introductory Chinese. I also singlehandedly offended everyone I met with my ignorance. People were constantly surprised that for all of my Asian appearance, I didn’t understand all the local customs. Despite all this, it sort of was amazing? No, it definitely was. I may have only done simple office work, but what I learned in the process benefited my relationship with my parents and allowed me to navigate difficult and unexpected conditions. It was perfect for those “tell me about when you had to adapt in a tough situation” questions. Score.

The next summer, I didn’t exactly learn from my mistakes. Yet again, I had no plans. I call myself extremely lucky for the phone call I received from the YSP program director in April. He explained his desperate need for a Head Counselor to lead that summer’s camp. I remember feeling so resentful after my rejection the previous year that being offered the top-dog position prompted a fist pumping celebration inside the walls of Edens. That ended up being the most memorable summer to date. I led a camp of 42 moody and dramatic high school students, who were nonetheless intelligent, passionate and inspiring, for six consecutive weeks. Five of those campers are now first-years at Duke, and they are probably way more prepared now than I ever was. (Can we have a reunion soon?) What I thought would be a deadbeat summer turned out to be full of pranks, late night McDonalds runs in huge 16-seater vans and perfect opportunities to practice my poker playing skills. (I was such a champ #winning.) I planned weekend trips and took care of the budget, scheduling, safety concerns, transportation, food and more. But most importantly, I not only learned how to work on a team with three other incredible counselors, but also sharpened my leadership, communication and organizational skills. Given the chance, I can apply this experience to any job interview.

I received many rejections prior to both of those summers, and had some mini (and major, tearful and frantic) breakdowns as a result. Compared to my friends who were accomplishing revolutionary projects, I thought working at a summer camp would be lame. Sure, I didn’t save the world (I’ve been painfully rejected by DukeEngage four times), nor did I bond with a professor in a research lab or land that internship at the State Department, but I turned whatever opportunity I did have into something worthwhile. I stepped out of my comfort zone. I now use YSP as an answer for so many job interview questions. I’m beginning to understand the complexities of interacting not only in Chinese language, but also in Chinese culture. Even if you end up waiting tables for the entire summer, you will learn how to work under pressure, multi-task, balance a strict schedule and interact efficiently with customers. And I have no doubt that you will make friends in the process. These are all valuable skills anyone could bring to the table.

So, don’t fret. It’s still early! Put some ice on those bruises from banging your head against the wall. Any experience you have will contribute to your plans to pursue law school, grad school, a post-grad fellowship or whatever. Maybe what you think will be a boring and unfulfilling summer will actually turn out to be a valuable experience, and who knows? Maybe you’ll learn how to own at poker.

Jaimie Woo is a Trinity senior. Her column runs every other Monday. You can follow her on Twitter @jwoo9913.