“I reached out to a professor, telling him I was looking for a lab-based internship to try to get some more laboratory skills. He immediately put me in touch with a pharmaceutical company and their hiring department. That turned into a full paid summer internship.” – Kittaka
A summer internship that paid? Yes, please. Payton enjoyed the internship because the work allowed him the opportunity to flex his lab skills, but the pharmaceutical world did not grip his attention.
“I had a really profound conversation with one employee that really changed my whole outlook on what I want to do within the sciences and my education. He asked me, ‘Will you be coming back next summer.’ And I wasn’t really sure that I would. He said, ‘Let me ask you this: the work you’re doing right now, you’re essentially doing the same work I’m doing. Ten, fifteen years down the road, are you going to be wanting to do that same thing?’ And I told him, ‘Probably not.’ He said, ‘Then, we love having you here, but I would highly recommend you search somewhere else.’ Not exactly the conversation I was planning on having.” – Kittaka
So, while the internship failed to spark a passion for medicine, it wasn’t a waste of time. The experience helped Payton realize that a comfortable career choice does not always equal the right career choice. Ultimately, he can cross this career choice off his list of possibilities and explore other opportunities.
Franklin realizes not every internship or class will steer you toward your perfect career. Regardless, every challenge empowers you to explore your options, who you are and who you want to become.
Are you ready to dive headfirst into the realm of possibility? Explore and find yourself at Franklin College.