Last year at this time, I wrote a 2019 internship guide. Oh, how times have changed within 1 short year...
2020 has shown us no mercy in this time of COVID-19. Among the health crisis and economic crisis, tens of millions of Americans are out of work--leading to an all-time unemployment high. Rather than writing advice for incoming interns, I’m writing a guide for the Class of 2020, interns without internships, entry-level professionals, and others who have been laid-off during this time.
A big thing I want to remind you is that it’s up to you how you spend this time during quarantine. Use it to be productive if you want, and use it to take care of yourself mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally. If you’re unmotivated, if you’re anxious, overwhelmed, scared, depressed, you are 100000% allowed to feel that way. Pay attention to how you are feeling, and give yourself whatever you need to get back on your feet.
If you are currently unemployed, my reminder to you is it’s okay. Things will be okay.
We are in the midst of a freaking global pandemic, but this is all temporary. There is no “Pandemic 101” guidebook to follow, nobody to tell you about their experience when this happened last time. Nobody has the right answers, so go easy on yourself.
If you couldn’t find a job or got laid off during this madness, hang in there. Yes, times are tough, but like my dad always reminded me, “tough times don’t last, tough people do.” Many companies are freezing hiring for now, but there are new jobs opening up, new cities to job-hunt in (now that positions are remote), and more time to learn about your career field. Hang in there.
Remember to go easy on yourself. You worked hard, you landed that internship/job, and this is absolutely not your fault. Luckily, you’ve already built relationships to land you that role in the first place. Stay in contact with the recruiter that hired you and the person who would have been your boss. Ask them for recommendations to further your career and continue learning about the industry. Remember, they liked you enough to hire you once they would probably hire you again when the time is right.
If you are fortunate enough to have extra time on your hands, you can find my recommendations for ways to spend your time--personally or professionally--that could increase your chances of getting hired.
If I can recommend one thing to do during this time, it would be to learn: personally and professionally.
You may be close to ending your college career, but it’s important to foster the mindset of becoming a lifelong learner. The best thing to do if you want to go for a career in marketing is to learn about marketing (because let’s be real: your classes only taught you so much).
But remember that as an intern or entry-level employee, you’re never expected to be an expert on the topic. Don’t be too hard on yourself if you feel overwhelmed by information or you don’t think you’ll become an expert (because you won’t right away). The goal is progress, not perfection.
If you know which industry you’re interested in (i.e. tech, health, food, makeup, etc), here are some ways to continue learning about it:
Follow news in the industry: Keep an eye out for how your industry is performing during this crazy time. Which parts of the tech industry are doing well? How are the entertainment and travel industries impacted by “shelter-in-place," and what problems has coronavirus posed towards the health industry?
Follow Influential people in the industry: There will always be a few key movers and shakers to follow in your industry. Find these big names (maybe they’re in leadership positions at companies you’re interested in) and see what they’re talking about. I follow influential people on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn to see which articles they’re resharing, their opinions, etc. It’s also helpful to name-drop people like this in conversations or during interviews to show that you are “in-the-know.”
Keep up with newsletters, podcasts, blogs, and vlogs: Across industries, passionate people are creating content to educate others, share their thoughts, and create discussion. Find some interesting channels that talk about the things you’re interested in, and follow them regularly.
Connect with others in the industry: Browse LinkedIn and find people who work at companies you’re interested in, or hold titles to something you’d be interested in. Seeing their career paths may help you understand your next move, you could ask them for advice, or even see what content they are engaging with in their news feed.
If you know which type of role you want to pursue (Digital Marketing Intern somewhere, not sure where), here are some ways to continue learning:
Connect with others with similar titles: If you find someone who is a Digital Marketing Manager on LinkedIn, they’ve probably been in your shoes. They know what it takes to get a role in Digital Marketing, and might be willing to help you out. It’s worth a shot to connect (with a personalized message on LinkedIn, of course) and understand their career path and day-to-day. This might even help you decide if that career is actually what you want to do.
Take online classes: Many universities are offering free courses, and sites often have crash-courses on subjects you might use in your career. If you have the time, you have nothing to lose and so much to gain.
Get certified: This is totally the time to get certifications so you can add them to your resume. Certifications will vary based on your career path. Find some suggested certification ideas here.
Find practice case studies: Understanding real-world problems for your line of work will give you a sense of what your day-to-day could look like. Search online for case studies related to your area of expertise, and practice a few projects. You can always use the work you produce for a portfolio (hint, hint).
You already know your friends have been baking ridiculous amount of banana bread, starting home DIY projects, becoming TikTokers, and more. This is as good a time as any to pursue your hobbies, and you should totally do the same.
There are few times in our lives where we can focus on the things we truly love. Life gave us sour lemonade, so add some sugar to it and make it something sweet. I encourage you to not only do the things you love, but learn something about it, document it and share it with the world.
Someone once told me “You are an expert on a topic if you know more about it than the average person.” You don’t have to be a Food Network star to write a blog about banana bread you made. You don’t have to be a millionaire to start a YouTube channel about the stock market. If you enjoy something and know just enough about it, share what you know with the world via a blog, YouTube, Instagram, website, etc. This shows others who you are outside of your professional life, which is not something that comes across easily in a resume or a cover letter. Plus, you’ll learn more by teaching, you’ll probably have fun with it, and someone else will find it useful. 🙌
I have some talented friends who have done an excellent job at showcasing their hobbies and talents through different mediums, check out their work:
@aphada | Fashion
@paytientmindset | Investing
@sanaea.design | Design
@beatsbybuns | Music
You may wonder “how do I stand out among all the other applicants?” My answer: create a personal website. Many people think a “portfolio” is helpful if you are a designer or photographer. If you don’t have anything visually appealing to show, why do you need a website?
A personal website tells your audience who you are, what you do, why you do it, and how they can learn more about you. Whatever you do and whoever you are, you have a story that you can tell. Think about the things you value in life. Who are you as a person, how do you show this to people, and how do your hobbies and professional interests reflect you as a person. Some places to start are a page showing examples of your work (personal, professional, blogs, etc), resume, about me, and a contact page.
Still stuck? Start by identifying 3-4 words that embody your values and who you are as a person. It’s a deep, introspective process so no need to rush yourself. Hours of thinking led me to “people, wellness, and creativity” as my words. Use these words to inspire a few “I am” statements that could be the tabs of your website. Mine are “I design,” “I strategize,” “I motivate,” and “I am.” Give it a try, this could take days or weeks to figure out, so take your time.
“But Juhie, I can’t design a website!” Thankfully, Squarespace, Wix, Weebly, and other sites exist. I’m a graphic designer and I still used Squarespace (work smart, my friends).
Ah the tricky part, the part we all dread about being unemployed: applying for jobs. I’ve been there too. If I had a dime for every time I used an excuse like “I can’t apply yet because my resume isn’t done,” I wouldn’t have needed to apply for a job.
The job market may not be so hot right now, but here are some things to consider through your search:
Search for work outside of your city: Many companies are offering remote-work for their employees. You don’t have to limit your job searches to just one city anymore, search across the whole country for a role that might work out. Your dream job may be waiting for you across the country, and the company could make an exception if you show them that you’re what they need
Expand your search criteria: From a company’s perspective these days, hiring for a full-time job is a gamble. Open your search to include internships, contract roles, part-time work, etc. Something is better than nothing, and it could lead you to a stable full-time down the road.
Search by title, then company: Ultimately, what you do in your career will be guided mostly by the type of work you do. You’re more likely to get hired for the role when you’re a fit for the role, not because you’re the perfect company-fit. I have been fortunate to have found great opportunities at great companies, but it was always guided by the role title first
Open your searches to smaller companies: Of course we all want to work for the Googles and the Disneys of the world, but there are so many other opportunities out there. Some of the fastest-growing startups came out of the last recession, so don’t overlook smaller companies right now.
Consider the following for your next employer: Ask them what they are doing to care for their employees during this time. Has their company adapted in any way lately? Are they built to be sustainable during this time? What’s their business model like? Who would your manager be, and what would that relationship look like?
You can have all the time in the world to prepare for these interviews, but again, go easy on yourself. Celebrate and strive for any bit of progress rather than perfection. Take things day-by-day, because that’s all we can do.
I said it once, I’ll say it again. We’re in a global freaking pandemic. There is absolutely no right or wrong way to spend your time. Be productive if you want to. Or don’t. Be aware of what you do have control over, and make decisions with intention. If you are choosing to relax and care for yourself, do so intentionally without feeling guilty about it. #SELFCARE
Resources for Professional Development
Paid online learning platforms w/ free trials: Skillshare, Udemy, Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, etc (YouTube is great for free content)
Resources for Mental Health & Wellness
Talkspace: Online therapy #normalizetherapy
Times are uncertain, but this is all temporary. When I need motivation, I think about a time when this will be over and I’ll say: “I’m glad I did ___________ while I was quarantined.”
I’ve put together all of this information as a toolbox, but it’s up to you to use these tools for yourself. The information is all out there; grab the tools and build something amazing. However you are choosing to spend your time today and every day, I’m cheering you on through your journey.
Tough times don’t last, but tough people do. Thanks for reading. *fist bump* 👊
Postface
This guide is based on my learnings from when I was laid off from Uber in 2019. I am fortunate to be employed at the moment but like many others, I plan to use this time to increase my skill set and take advantage of my spare time. There is no “right way” to handle being quarantined, and none of us have been in a place like this before. I’m putting this info into the world in hopes that someone might find it helpful. Whether this helps or not, do your thang. I’m cheering you on with whatever you decide to do.