I am often that person sitting in the background, absorbing all that I am hearing but not contributing anything of my own. I am a nerd of sorts that enjoys solitude. Things like reading and writing (general English-y things), running, the occasional RPG video game or two, exploring nature, hanging out with my dog and sunbathing on the beach—those are my passions.

My internship with Beetle Press forced me into situations where I had no choice but to communicate with people, a variety of people, through email, phone or in-person, in a number of different situations and tasks. In my last semester at Westfield State University, I was given the opportunity to grow and develop as a person, open myself up more to the public world and to not be afraid of what is out there.

People don’t seem so unapproachable to me anymore.

I was slightly intimated when I first had to interview someone. Well, two someones. Two teenagers taking on an incredible role in the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Hampshire County.

Although they were around my height (honestly, probably a little taller), and they had only just begun their high school careers (whereas I was ending my college one), I was nervous while interviewing them. Afterwards, I didn’t understand why I was so anxious beforehand. It was a stupid feeling, but a feeling nonetheless.

Then I began interviewing more people. Adults. Local authors, professors, business owners, past interns.

Each time, the minutes before I dialed the phone number, my nerves increased, my heart fluttered fast and I tried to control my breath. Then I would get on the phone, and it would all be okay, normal even. After I hung up, I would get that same confusion of why I was so nervous, even when it came to talking to people who were my colleagues only a year ago. But each time, the nerves decreased, and I took on each assignment as a personal challenge.

One of my goals when starting this internship was to increase and develop my communications skills since I knew they could be much stronger. And that I did, even inspiring a growth of my own confidence as a nice complement.

But that wasn’t the only thing I got out of my internship with Beetle Press. I was able to demonstrate my organization skills by being in charge of the editorial calendar regarding the blog posts for www.janicebeetle.com, maintaining and updating it each time Janice was inspired with a new idea for a post. Often, I helped Janice publish the blog posts to their respective websites, gaining a comfortable understanding of WordPress and its functions.

I was also privileged to be allowed to read Janice’s romantic fiction manuscript, Unleashing the Sun, still a work in progress. Although the process was longer than I realized (check out my blog about it), it was an experience that created an insight into the long and gruesome process in writing a full-length manuscript and the incredible dedication involved.

Interning at Beetle Press was an invaluable experience. I learned more than I thought I would. I remember being nervous on my first day, unsure of what I was doing or where it would go. Now I know I made the right decision when I decided to stretch out of my comfort zone and apply for an internship. And I have Janice to thank for everything that I learned, the skills I’ve developed and the new insights I have about myself and my writing.

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