"See Ya, 36 Degrees North!": Thoughts from the Intern

By: Ashley Riggs, 36°N Communications Intern

As a 20-something, I’m juggling lots of roles – student, friend, intern, co-worker. Add “senior in college about to graduate” to the mix, and I’ve got quite the load. However, of all these roles, I’d like to elaborate upon one – intern.

This semester, I had the privilege of being the communication intern for 36 Degrees North.

For me, entering the work world was challenging, but I’m a firm believer that comfort is the enemy of progress. Cue 36 Degrees North. This was my first time in a professional communication setting, where no two days look the same. Simply put, it’s not like the classroom… but maybe that’s a good thing. There are no gold stars or easy A’s. The fact is, you’ve got to work hard. And there’s no better place to do that than here at 36°N.

Coming into 36°N, I expected a trendy co-working space. I quickly realized that it was much more than that. It’s a thriving community of entrepreneurs working to make their ideas a reality. Let me tell you, seeing people of all ages following the path less traveled and starting their own businesses is inspiring.

Sure, I got to do normal communication tasks, like writing blog posts and creating social media posts, but I really enjoyed the interactions I had with the people here at 36°N, whether at the front desk or in passing.

I’m not sure whether or not I’ll be an entrepreneur myself, but I do know this - the lessons I’ve learned here are invaluable. From learning about social enterprise to refining my writing voice, I feel prepared for whatever is to come.

In just two short weeks, I will add "graduate" to my list of roles. That could be daunting, but I’m leaving with a renewed confidence that I can make it out there. Thanks for everything, 36°N.