Fire Another Arrow

Fire another arrow.

As I write this newsletter, it is mid-June. School is out, swimming pools are filled, and internship applications have opened and closed. From Demetri’s Job Applications Template in Notion, I can proudly share that I have applied for over 50 internships since February 9th. Unfortunately, I am less proud to say that every arrow has missed its target, and some employers have even done me the curiosity of firing back a formal rejection email to puncture my heart.

Dramatics aside, this four-month process has tested my resilience. Hours upon hours of hunting for positions, creating accounts, writing cover letters, and hitting submit to no avail. I have seen disheartening application charts on Reddit’s r/lawschool page. Charts with an astonishing triple-figure number of applications to the left, a dwindling number of responses and interviews to the center, and two, one, or even zero job offers on the far right of the graph. One of these charts may summarize my experience, but only thus far.

As I write this newsletter in the heat of summer, I am still applying for summer internships. Friends and family members ask: “isn’t it too late?” “At this point, what is the point?”

Well, primarily to land a career-oriented position, but additionally to continue sharpening my arrows, refining my shot, and attempting to hit the target. Whether the wind blows harder in early March or mid-June does not concern me. I adapt to the circumstances, account for the variables within my control, and focus on shooting my shot.

As the great Stoic, Seneca, reminds us, “the wise man looks to the purpose of all actions, not their consequences; beginnings are in our power but Fortune judges the outcome, and I do not grant her verdict upon me.”

Whether an employer responds to my application is outside of my control, but letting myself become discouraged or defeated by an uncontrollable outcome is within my control entirely. Instead, I meet each radio static or dead email thread as an opportunity to refine my skills. I have revised my cover letters and resume an innumerable amount, and I have taken to bolder approaches such as cold emails and networking with loose connections. And although this adventure may not end with an internship, I will find solace in the knowledge that I have repped out many arrows and continued refining my abilities as an applicant.

And as a final note to anyone discouraged or in disbelief that you can acquire a summer internship in June: my first two interviews took place in the month of June. There is always time to seize the day, but there will never be an opportune time if you do not create the opportunity.

Have an awesome week!