Bittersweet Symphony

Expect the unexpected is a phrase commonly used to describe one of my favorite shows, Big Brother, but it can obviously be applied to life, and that has been true for me for the last two weeks.

Getting COVID halfway through 2022 was an experience, let me tell you. It truly interrupted all aspects of my life, most importantly, my internship. I was so looking forward to my last week of work, as I had a few events to attend and cover, but I could not do so. I continued to face symptoms into this week, making the soonest I could return Thursday. My boss really wanted me to complete a full week and I did so too, but my other part-time job was insisting on me returning as soon as possible, as I had already planned to go back to full hours because I was supposed to be done with my internship by now. This experience gave me new insight into employees. I completely understand that I told them I could return fully by a certain date, but I obviously did not expect to get sick. I felt like I was stuck between a rock and a hard place, either employer being disappointed. My internship boss and I did come to an agreement for me to come in on Thursday for five hours to have some sort of wrap-up meeting.

So, my final day at my internship was bittersweet, as it was nice to get back after two weeks, but weird, as I would not be coming back. I started with just checking and responding to some emails I received while I was gone, cleared out the few items in my desk, and worked on a wrap-up essay about the entire internship experience. I sat down one-on-one with the editor and publisher to go over the entire experience, discussing each of my pieces, growth, room for improvement, and any suggestions moving forward. It was very bittersweet, as I am excited to take what I have learned during the internship and apply it to future work, but am a little sad that it is over. I did not get real closure to this experience because of being sick and wish I could have ended on more of a high note. I am really going to miss working with the reporters and staff, being thrown into any kind of situation, but I am very excited for what is to come.