Meet University Student With 10 Internships & Counting

Most job seekers are always complaining when told that they will be required to have experience in their very first jobs. They can’t seem to understand how one is supposed to get experience if they can’t get jobs in the first place, but this is not a problem Mercy has to deal with.

At 21 years, Mercy Otekra is scheduled to take on her 11^th internship at the National Treasury this October. I am intrigued by how she has managed to have so many internships in only her 3^rd year of study. Most of her peers would be counting at most 2, while others would be struggling to land their very first one.

So, how has she been able to land so many internships before even graduating from campus?

Here Is Mercy’s Story in 7 Questions

1. Most people complain about not getting internships, how did you start out and how have you been able to have so many?

Most people don’t get internships because they do not look for them. The first thing I did after high school was to look for something to do with my life, instead of just staying home doing nothing. Since I’m really good with speaking up saying what I want, it wasn’t really hard getting my first internship.

A lot of people especially my age are too timid or shy to speak up and take up opportunities as they come, or they think they are too young to start building their career, and that’s the problem.

I would work with 2 or 3 different organizations at the same time depending on flexibility, and that is how I have managed these many.

2. You’ve had at least 10 internships. Are all these related to your field of study?

Not all the internships are part of my course work, but I have interned in the Finance and Administration department which is closely related to what I am pursuing in campus. I am also taking on an Internship at the National Treasury which has a lot to do with what I am studying.

3. How do you balance school work and these internships?

In my schedule, there’s always time for everything, including school work and jobs. In my first and second years it was a little bit tricky because I had classes from Monday to Friday so there was little time, but this meant that my weekends had to be busy. Later it became easier as I was free for two or three days during the week.

4. What can you say drives you to take these internships?

By the time I finish campus, I want to feel like I have done something tangible with my life. The various organizations I have worked with deal with activities that are in my line of interest, this only motivates me to keep going. And since I have the time, why not?

5. Do you think these internships will be of help to your career?

Yes. They will be of great help when it comes to work experience as I have literally worked everywhere. Working in any field after I graduate will not be such a hustle for me because I have already established networks with the different organizations and companies I’ve worked with.

6. Are other students as driven as you, or are some yet to take up jobs beyond the compulsory internships?

Most or at least the ones I have interacted with have not had any internship yet. Some take up professional courses like CPA and ACCA during the long vacations but that’s just about it. They have the mindset that it’s all about papers at the end of day, which is true to some extent, but not entirely. I consider this as taking a long shot at life. It is the 21^st century and skills and experience count twice as much.

7. What can you tell someone looking to find their first internship? What’s the secret?

Anyone looking to find their first internship should take the first bold step and go for it, whatever place it is. Do not be afraid that you are too young to work somewhere or wait too long, start immediately. Be on the go and don’t stop until you are sure that’s what you really want.

You too can gain this experience that employers want. Refrain from giving excuses and find volunteer opportunities or walk into organizations and ask if you can help out.

And in Mercy’s words, “The networks you create now in your early twenties will go a long way to helping you establish your career. Do not do it for the money, do it because you want it”.

Got any questions for Mercy, share in the comments section below.