Imagine working hard for something you really want (or at least you think you do), but then things go wrong, and you have to fix them. Eventually, you manage to resolve the issues, but you no longer want the thing you worked so hard for. In fact, what you now want is something you had always rejected. Is it self-sabotage or a revelation? You name it. Welcome to the rough story of how I ended up at my internship at GroupM.
In July of 2023 I had to make a last-minute change to my study plan because I messed up, and I was not going to be able to do my thesis on the first semester anymore. The first thing that can I recommend is to stay calm. You should go talk with the study advisors and run to LinkedIn to start applying for internships. However, I knew that I wanted to do my internship in a specific sector, but at that point of the year all applications were closed, except for one. The problem was that the company was asking for my grades, and I am not the brightest student, so I thought that they wouldn’t accept me. I decided to apply anyway, but I also applied to some other internships that didn’t interest me that much at the moment. Well, the company that I wanted did indeed accept me, but so did GroupM, a media investment company that I had never heard of.
So, what now? Should I accept the internship in a sector I had been gaining experience in through volunteer work during my second year, or should I accept the offer from the random advertising company, a sector that was never attractive to me? It seemed like an easy choice, but my gut was telling me otherwise. I felt that I needed a change, that I needed to start without any expectations. So, I chose my second option, and what I can tell you after three weeks of starting my internship is that I am very glad I did. I bet the other internship would have been great too, don’t get me wrong… But GroupM has turned out to be an amazing place for my internship.
If you like doing research, are into emerging tech, value creativity, and want to have the opportunity to be part of a team of interns that actually have a say, this is a good place to be. I have found a company that values ideas and gives you the freedom and resources to help you conduct your university research, as well as giving you the chance and trust to work with real clients. Just yesterday, I submitted my research proposal on a topic that I really want to explore, and that at the same time is very relevant to today’s context. Next week, I will likely have my first briefing with a client, and even though I must admit that it scares me a little bit, it would be scarier not to take advantage of the unique opportunity that I have right now.
Plans are that: plans. They are not static nor fixed. Plans are subject to change, but so are you. It is okay to change your mind, so listen to yourself, stay calm, embrace change, embrace chaos, and make the most of the opportunities that you have. Keep your options open if your plan keeps not planning; remember that every cloud has a silver lining!