by Devin Justice, intern – communications 21

Before I stepped into the world of being a full-time intern, I used to think juggling midterms, group projects and late-night study sessions were the ultimate test of endurance. Trading in my college schedule for a nine-to-five has taught me more than any textbook ever could: discipline, communication and what it truly means to show up for yourself and others.

The following is how I have navigated the transition from full-time student to full-time intern and what I have learned about adapting to the “real world” along the way.

1. Routine is Real (And it Matters): In college, my days started whenever my first class did, which was usually around eleven in the morning. Now, I have a consistent early start time and people will notice if I’m late. At first, the thought of waking up early every single day felt impossible but surprisingly, routine started to work in my favor. I began creating a morning “ritual”: waking up at the same time, eating breakfast (something new for me) and giving myself a few quiet moments before heading out for the day. That consistency helped me feel grounded and less frazzled.
2. Learning Doesn’t Stop: I quickly realized that no one expects an intern to know everything on day one, but what they do expect is curiosity, initiative and a willingness to learn. In class, asking questions sometimes felt like admitting weakness, but in the workplace, asking questions shows engagement. I leaned into the mindset of writing things down, watching how coworkers communicated and treating every meeting as a learning opportunity.
3. Feedback is Fuel, Not Failure: In school, feedback came in the form of grades, while in the real world, feedback is more direct and sometimes hard to hear. I have learned to see it as a gift because the sooner I could separate personal feelings from professional growth, the quicker I could improve. One piece of advice I received from a past professor was: Don’t defend. Just listen, absorb and adjust.
4. Professionalism is a Muscle: I wasn’t used to writing polished emails or joining important meetings but over time I found my voice. I learned when to speak up, how to advocate for myself and how to contribute even when I was the youngest person in the room. The real world doesn’t hand out rubrics, but if you pay attention, you’ll find your rhythm.   
5. Imposter Syndrome is Normal, But Not Permanent: There were moments I questioned whether I deserved the opportunity and moments I felt like I was just “playing adult.” But when talking to other interns and even some full-time employees, I realized I wasn’t alone, and everyone is figuring it out as they go. That’s when I stopped aiming for perfection and started aiming for progress.

Transitioning from the academic bubble into the professional world is a shift, and it’s okay if it feels uncomfortable at first. Growth often does. But what I found was that I was more prepared than I thought. The skills I developed in school, like time management, collaboration and problem-solving, were carried over. The key was adapting those skills to a new environment. Now a few weeks into my internship, I feel more confident, capable and connected. The real world isn’t as scary as it once seemed, it’s just a new kind of classroom and I’m still learning every day.