Just before the pandemic hit, a global survey by Deloitte showed that 49% of millennials would quit their jobs within two years. Though respondents might answer differently now, the survey speaks to an overall high level of dissatisfaction among many young working professionals, and more of them today are opting to push pause on their current jobs and pursue an internship to help relaunch their careers. Why? Because unlike baby boomers, millennials are more likely to embrace job-hopping and are willing to stop climbing their current professional ladder to fulfill their true ambitions. Throw a global pandemic into the mix and now even more people are feeling pressure to rethink their careers.
The world of work has changed rapidly over the last year. COVID has disrupted many industries causing working professionals to pivot their careers completely. The good news? There are still opportunities available for those looking to make a switch. Virtual learning companies, for example, are thriving. Jobs within healthcare, digital marketing, mental health, and software development are all in high demand.
However, changing careers isn’t always easy. It requires learning a new set of skills and can be financially and emotionally disruptive. Fortunately, a new working trend has made this transition easier. Enter “the minternship”: a mid-career internship that enables professionals to transition to a new career path that will give them a sense of purpose and, ultimately, make them happier. If you’re thinking about a minternship, consider the benefits and downsides.
A minternship is a great way to acquire new skills, open yourself to new opportunities and learn about new industries. For instance, if you’re currently working as an administrative assistant, but have always been interested in a career in design, taking a minternship is an ideal way to get your foot in the door. You can join a firm and learn the basics to become a photo editor or even a UX designer. Much like a traditional internship, minternships offer a path to a full-time job once you’ve completed the internship. It’s also a low commitment, low-pressure way to transition to a new career. In the long run, it can lead to a sense of purpose, a deepening of emotional intelligence and greater professional satisfaction.
The most obvious drawback to taking a minternship is the financial hit. Be prepared to swap out your mid-career salary for an internship stipend. Additionally, starting in a new field with colleagues outside of your peer group may cause feelings of inadequacy. It can also be challenging to work for a manager who is, in many ways, less experienced than yourself. But if you take the time to remember that you are starting a new career in a new industry, and have positioned yourself to learn new skills, you can take these situations in stride.
I recently met a girl who received her MBA in Marketing and immediately after graduation began working as a Campus Visit Coordinator at a university in Florida. After several years, she realized she was unhappy, and the work was not something she wanted to continue long term. She decided to quit her job, move to Boston and pursue her passion in film. She secured a minternship at a local production company to learn the fundamental skills needed to become a Production Assistant. The minternship led to a full-time job which then snowballed into several more opportunities in the film industry. She now works for Hulu as a Production Assistant for one of their original series. She said that despite the pay cut, long hours and rudimentary responsibilities of the minternship, she is elated because it led to a career she truly loves.
Taking a chance with a minternship can lead to a promising new career. On the other hand, the insight you gain from a minternship can make you realize that your new career choice or your so-called “dream job” isn’t right for you. Whichever way it goes, a minternship had the potential to help you make a positive and informed decision.
Career advice | Finding a job | Job search advice | Starting a new job
