Ian Dowling outside of Air Liquide headquarters in Houston, TX, a photo by LAUSatPSU on Flickr.

During winter break, I decided I would take some time to set goals for the upcoming semester. Lazily lounging on our family’s La-Z-Boy, somewhere between my third cup of coffee and fifth pass through my Facebook Newsfeed, I was dealt a barreling blow. Several friends posted melancholy statuses expressing ambivalence towards their impending graduations.  Most wrote of leaving behind friends and countless memories in Happy Valley. However, many uttered their hesitations towards trading in their syllabi and sweatpants for a collared shirt, tie, and a so-called “real job.” Pinched by reality, I grasped the notion that in less than a year I would be in their shoes. Downing this coffee-stained truth, I determined that my spring semester’s goal was to attain an internship to prepare for the transition into a “real job” and the “real world.”

“Getting an internship,” I thought, “can’t be that hard, right?” However, I quickly discovered that landing an internship could be a challenging task. Initially, my na�ve search for internships lacked the direction and savvy of seasoned job seekers. Finally, after a few unfruitful weeks arbitrarily scouring corporate websites for opportunities, I decided to reach out to my advisors in the LSER Department and the College of the Liberal Arts.  Astutely, my counselors recommended that I pursue my interests and effectively utilize Penn State’s career resources. Perched on a canvas camping chair overlooking Beaver Avenue, I decided that I would narrow my internship pursuits to my two greatest interests: law and human resources. To locate internships, the next step, my advisors consulted me, was to create profiles on the College of the Liberal Arts’ Career Enrichment Network Symplicity site, Nittany Lion Career Network site through Penn State Career Services, and LinkedIn.

I optimistically uploaded a refined r�sum� and cover letter, and I applied for a myriad of positions that fit my interests, skills, and qualifications. Shortly thereafter, I was notified by the Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network that a company called Air Liquide was hiring human resources interns and would be conducting on-campus interviews. I researched Air Liquide, and I discovered they are a multinational French company whose US headquarters were based in Houston, Texas. Intrigued, I applied for the position and hoped for the best.

Fortunately, I was invited to interview with Air Liquide and subsequently was offered an employee relations internship in their corporate human resources department. Although I was excited to be offered this great opportunity, deciding to relocate to Houston was a difficult decision. Being from a small town, the move to Houston seemed daunting.  However, the city’s exhilarating allure and prospects of improved opportunity dwarfed my trepidations. With the support of my family, I accepted the position, and I prepared for the 1,400-mile move to Houston.

Nearly finished with my internship, it has been an invaluable experience in my professional development. Learning from experienced human resources professionals and my fellow interns has provided a foundation for success in the business world. The projects assigned by my manager and colleagues have given me insight into a complex field, while simultaneously polishing my analytical skills. Most interestingly, I will have the opportunity to observe management negotiate a collective bargaining agreement with a labor union. The professional skills I have acquired searching for this internship and while working at Air Liquide will prove instrumental in my career development.