‘Did you catch any bad guys today?’, used to be the first question I asked once my dad returned home after a workday. Growing up with a parent working for the police used to feel like the most normal thing, but after joining the organization myself, this perception changed completely. Now, I can do nothing but express my utmost respect for this extraordinary, wondrous and subservient organization.
Like many other Communication Science students, I started my internship journey looking for positions in the commercial sector. I liked persuasive communication, journalism and influential, dynamic organizations, so working for a publishing company or as an editor at a multinational seemed perfect. But after some interviews, I felt demoralized. None of the organizations felt comfortable, and I started doubting my skills and fit to the international orientation of Communication Science. My dad suggested doing an internship at the police before, but considering this international orientation, I doubted whether the communications office of a regional police unit would fit the dynamics of the program. Well: I was wrong.
New national social media policy
During my internship, I assisted the social media director. A new national social media policy had been announced after many years of the policy being mostly neglected. Our task was to refresh colleagues’ social media knowledge, so they could start using social media to its full potential again. Our journey started with many meetings with people from all over the organization. Internal communications were key; we took our time to explore colleagues’ needs and wishes, and to brainstorm how we could align these to the new policy. This time investment paid off later; colleagues felt heard and seen, and therefore accepted the changes to their online presences, even though these were not always as preferred.
Investing time was something permanent; whereas other units had hierarchical and pre-recorded plans, we invested in personal contacts. For example, I gave weekly masterclasses teaching about social media and the online environment, and we created content in collaboration with colleagues to teach, both internally and externally, about specific disciplines. I saw how valuable genuine interpersonal connections are within an organization, and learned that instead of being just ‘influential’ and ‘dynamic’, such close relations can function as an indestructible foundation for organizations, with communications playing an invaluable role here.
Personal learning process
Personally, this internship changed me too. I got the chance to proactively jump in to assist with different things on many different cases. Although that felt scary, because a broad range of skills was needed that I did not master, my personal skills grew quickly. The motivation, dedication and respect that everyone had for every case, from minor ones like bike thefts to enormous cases on high impact crimes, is not normal; colleagues were always willing to take the extra step and buckle down together to achieve that one goal of creating a safer country. This spirit worked catching and aligned well with my norms and values. Besides teaching me practical and personal skills, I think I can say it changed my personality and worldview.
I cannot describe everything I have experienced and learned during this internship in this blog. I recommend doing an internship at a non-commercial and/or governmental organization; the spirit is so much different from the commercial environments I worked in before, that I’m sure this is something everyone should experience at least once. I’m glad I’m not leaving anytime soon; I’m still working at the police’s communications office, and will be transferring to another department soon. My adventure in this extraordinary, wondrous and subservient organization isn’t over yet, this internship was just the beginning!
Image source: RTV Oost