I realize that the winter term has just started, and you’re probably not thinking about course selections for next year just yet. However, the winter term tends to go by incredibly quickly and before you know it, it will be time to select your courses for next year!
I first found out about the history internship course last April. At first I wasn’t really sure if I should apply for a spot, and debated the pros and cons - yes it would be a really neat experience, but…
I quickly realized that the pros vastly outweighed any reservations I had, and applied for a spot. Now, just over halfway through the course, I am absolutely thrilled that I decided to apply and am thoroughly enjoying my internship with the Mississauga Sports Council.
Here are 4 reasons you should apply for the history internship course:
1. Make Connections and Meet New People
One of the first things I thought of is that this course would allow me to network and make connections with people in the local history field. Needless to say, I have met many people who have helped me along the way and shared their knowledge with me. An internship allows you to meet people that you otherwise would not meet in the classroom, and remember; it is never too early to start networking.
2. Pursue Your Own Research Interests
One of the great things about this course is that you can choose what you want to study. Ever since doing an essay on African American professional baseball in the United States during the 1920s, I have become very interested in the field of sports history. Unfortunately, no other courses have allowed me to explore this interest until now. This course allows you to pursue your own research interests in the public history sphere, whether it is historical preservation or the history of a particular group during a certain period. With my placement I have been able to research the development of organized softball for women in Mississauga during the 20th century, which has proven to be an incredibly fascinating topic.
The Port Credit Weekly, Lorne Park Girls Softball Team, 1957
3. Get an Idea of the Careers Available to You
If you are unsure of what you want to pursue upon graduation I would highly recommend taking this course. Even if you do know what you want to do afterwards, I would still recommend taking this course. You can get an idea of the careers available to you in the historical realm from your own experiences as an intern; however, you can also discover what is out there from your fellow classmates and their experiences as an intern. Just to name a few, I have learned that there are many opportunities for history students with local heritage organizations, archives, libraries, and museums.
4. Apply the Skills You Have Learned in the Classroom
If you are anything like me, you have probably asked yourself on more than one occasion if what you are studying bears any relevance to the real world. I will admit that the content may not; however, the skills you learn as a history undergraduate are absolutely essential to real world careers. Many of us possess advanced research, writing, analysis, and communication skills. Through my position at the Mississauga Sports Council, I have made great use these skills to conduct my research, and am currently using them to construct an online, interactive timeline, which is the format of my final project. As an intern, you will discover that a degree in history is valuable!