You've Never Met a "Freshman" Like Me

It's a stereotypical response I kept hearing when I started my first year of college - even before I started really: You should try your best to get an internship, but you won't during your first year. You won't.

However, I'm not one to take no for an answer. I heard a statistic once that women are much less likely to put their names in "the hat" for jobs that they don't think they're qualified for than men - women generally won't apply unless they believe they're qualified or overly so. I decided among other things this would never apply to me. I was at a "Lunch and Learn" event hosted by my school and had the opportunity to speak briefly with a successful female leader (and role model), Christine Katziff, and asked her how to avoid the stereotypes of being a freshman and a woman when I went to my first career fair. I still remember the stern but kind look and she told me not to be scared of acknowledging my weakness. I took her advice to heart and opened my conversations with recruiters by explaining that yes, I was a first year student, but not the "normal" kind.

I decided to embrace it further and pitch "my story" to recruiters and those I was fortunate enough to meet at networking events. I explained that my enthusiasm and drive is a catalyst to my growth. I started college two weeks after high school graduation sheerly because I couldn't wait any longer to get started. I took my summer class exams early to go on a study abroad trip to Prague before fall semester began, and flew back in on the last day of move in. I began work with a startup two weeks after fall semester started. I pushed my manager to give me more to do and more responsibility. I couldn't get my feet wet fast enough. This is what I bring to my job, to the company.

Countless people told me I would still not get an internship this summer, especially not one of the caliber I had my eyes on. I remember two key people being supporters from the beginning: my academic advisor (Lauren Brown) and my career development counselor (Janet Rakes). I hung onto the encouragement and used the doubt of others as fuel to push harder.

Weeks later, even before the second career fair, I was recruited by all three of my top choices and had accepted an offer from Red Hat. My manager took a chance on someone who didn't have a ton of technical knowledge. He knew I would learn everything I needed to and understood all of the other things I brought to the table.

I am a firm believer in the power of hard work, drive, and persistence. After all, it's served me well thus far.