Peer Career Consultant Blogs

In my junior year of college, it felt like everyone around me was either announcing an internship, signing an offer, or casually dropping the name of the company they were headed to the next summer. Meanwhile, I was still in the process of applying, waiting, and trying not to spiral every time someone asked, “What are you doing this summer?” Even when I knew I was doing everything “right,” it still felt like I was somehow behind.

I was doing all the things you’re “supposed” to do. I went to networking events, reached out to people on LinkedIn, applied as soon as applications opened, and tailored my resume for each role. And still, most of the time, all I got back was radio silence or an email that started with “At this time…”. It started to feel like everyone else had access to some big secret about how to actually get the job, and I was the only one missing it. It messes with your head when you’re putting in real effort and the outcome still feels completely out of your control.

What made it worse was how public recruiting feels. Scrolling through LinkedIn and seeing people I know - friends, people in my classes- post the internship they just got felt conflicting. On one hand, I was genuinely happy for them but it’s hard not to compare your behind the scenes to everyone else’s highlight reel. Suddenly, waiting feels like failing, the silence from companies felt personal even when I knew it wasn’t.

Over time, I started to realize that recruiting timelines aren't actually standardized. They just feel like they are when you’re in the middle of them. Some companies recruit insanely early, some open later, and some people find opportunities through random conversations months after everyone else thinks the season is over. But when you’re in it, it’s hard to remember that there isn’t one right schedule to be on. 

Looking back now as a senior, I realize how much pressure I was putting on myself in junior year. I did end up landing an internship in the spring, way later than I thought I was “supposed” to. At the time, it felt late. Now, it just feels normal. Over half of the people I know got their offers in Spring Quarter as well, through various different methods. Nothing about my life fell apart because my timeline didn’t match the people around me. If anything, the waiting taught me patience and made the offer feel more real when it finally came.

If you’re in that in-between phase right now where all you’re doing is applying, networking, waiting, and lowkey questioning everything - I just want to say that you’re not behind. It might feel like everyone else has it figured out, but most people are just as unsure as you are. The process is noisy, unpredictable, and honestly kind of unfair at times, but that doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong.

You’re allowed to move at your own pace, even when the timelines around you feel loud. Getting there a little later doesn’t make it any less real when you do. 

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