Translating Learning Into Practice: Reflections on My Internship, Essay Example

Introduction

Moving from study into the “real world” of the law and working environments is a process presenting a wide range of challenges, as well as incentives to reflect.  We learn, we discuss, and we exchange ideas in the classroom settings, and then actual experience becomes a fascinating means of assessing how the study is relevant to the work.  This in itself is a significant challenge when the university’s mission statement is truly considered: “We are a Jesuit Catholic university – a diverse community seeking God in all things and working to expand knowledge in the service of humanity through learning, justice, and faith.” For my own part, I was admittedly unsure how such values could be expressed or impactful within a law internship.  As the following explores, however, I confronted a reality agreeably confirming that, even within the mechanics of performance and interaction in a law firm, critical aspects of humanity are in place, and service to humanity actually underscores even the most pragmatic concerns.

Discussion

On a strictly practical level, my internship with the law firm demanded attention to a number of tasks with which I was first unfamiliar.  My work was diverse and required that I research and assist the Senior Legal Counsel, and present new regulatory requirements.  More exactly, I would investigate the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA), and other FDA import regulations, in order to educate external corporate attorneys and staff on meeting these changing legal requirements and inform them of the regulations and applicable treaties.  This in turn required that I identify key issues in U.S. regulations, congressional notes and public laws, and how they apply to operations for companies importing and exporting.  Additionally, I developed a new departmental website and blog on global trade and supply chain practices, to increase the firm’s social media presence and encourage client loyalty.  An especially important project assigned to me was creating a power point presentation for webinars on FSMA and DSCSA.  I have as well written an article on FSMA, which will be published on the firm’s website.

As I look back today, it seems that the impact of my supervisor was perhaps the most impactful element of my internship experience, as this individual consistently supported my efforts and unfailingly offered tangible assistance.  In plain terms, I had no background in the realities of how a law firm functions, and I was apprehensive as to how to best apply my learning in this arena.  This supervisor then served as something of a mentor as well as a superior; while he would send me relevant materials helpful in achieving my work, he would also expect me to proceed as independently as possible, which in turn empowered me to better fulfill my duties.  There were moments of frustration and impatience on my part as I struggled to accommodate multiple demands, in terms of research and generating material necessary for the firm’s needs.  Nonetheless, my supervisor’s encouragement and his providing me with resources went to a foundation of support which enhanced my confidence, and consequently the work I engaged in according to the internship’s demands.  Even as he was aware that my interests were not the pursuit of law in my future, he understood, and helped me to understand, that the skills and thinking I developed during this period would serve me in any field.  Throughout this relationship, then, I became aware of how leadership is often most effective through direct interaction and cooperation.  At no point did I perceive my supervisor as overtly demonstrating any particular leadership style; what I did encounter were processes of care and regard, and in ways promoting my own development as well as the concerns of the firm.  It was and is a lesson in leadership I will not soon forget, as this supervisor’s efforts supplied me with an exemplary model of behavior for when I myself must guide others.

Equally importantly, if not inherently within the scenario, the behavior of my supervisor never failed to express ethics and values as they serve to underscore actions, and the day-to-day requirements of the business of a law firm.  In a very real sense, this individual clearly embraced and exhibited the most fundamental imperative to serve humanity, and through providing me with the guidance I required.  I reiterate that this ongoing assistance was present despite his awareness of my future as directed toward finance; both today and during the work itself, it occurred to me that another supervisor would likely be far less inclined to lead an intern not pursuing a career in the law or with the firm.  That he made these efforts then reinforces his own ethical foundation of behavior, as well as the more general need for any in positions of authority to simply help those new to the business. This support then facilitated other relationships within the firm, in that the confidence placed in me furthered my interactions with other attorneys, who appreciated my commitment to performing my work as best as I could.  If at first I was apprehensive about asking questions, I soon realized that my superiors welcomed inquiry because it expressed my commitment to excel.  I may then affirm that a pervasive holding to ethical behavior largely marked my experience, as I was fortunate enough to be in a business realm wherein those with authority clearly believed that leading must rely on genuinely human ambitions to promote those new to the environment and unsure, to an extent, of how best to apply learning with practical effort.  In short, this was leadership strongly reflecting Christian values, as it expressed faith in my potentials and the ethics crucial to all human interaction.

All of the above then profoundly goes to my personal philosophy of ethics and leadership, in that I was exposed to how, and within the pragmatic environment of a multifaceted and busy law firm, the two components are inextricably connected.  It was in fact surprising to me to discover what I believe is a simplicity of intent and practice in these regards.  In interacting and communicating with my superiors, which essentially translates to all the attorneys in the firm, I came to see how open communication intrinsically reflects and supports ethical behavior, and all goals of the individuals and the organization.  It seemed to me that the partners here all understood that direct and honest relationships are not only aspects of ethical behavior, but also generate success in business.  In behaving ethically, my supervisor and his peers presented true leadership, as such behavior must exist as inspirational.  Inevitably, there were occasions when my doubts as to my abilities and efforts led to uncertainty on my part as to how best to proceed and, in the context of human interaction even in a business setting, responses varied.  At the same time, however, no response lacked ethical values, nor was there ever any discouragement expressed.  Individuals will behave in ways based upon their personalities, naturally, yet a foundation of ethical concerns easily encompasses unique traits, and the person like myself, occasionally unsure, never lacks support.  I realized as well that another benefit emerges in such scenarios, as mutual respect is developed and all parties are then more motivated to accommodate one another.  In short, my internship provided me with a guiding philosophy based on having witnessed – and participated in – how leaders are leaders chiefly because they adhere to ethics of service and care.

With regard to my professional goals and how my internship experience affects them, the single most important element I come away with is how humanity and ethical beliefs apply in any circumstance or business environment.  These are not values which lose relevance depending upon the profession or any commercial, legal, or other efforts; on the contrary, they must be within the individual in all their pursuits, as they embody the most visceral aspects of who that individual is and how they will enhance whatever is attempted.  I must confess that, initially, I anticipated an experience in which my own ethics would be challenged.  Entering into the necessarily practical world of a law firm, I expected to encounter various degrees of disregard for ethics, in terms of how I myself would be treated and the functioning of the firm itself.  I am glad to recognize that my concerns were not valid as those around – and above – me maintained principles guiding all that occurred.  Moreover, this provides a platform that I will bring to my career in finance.  On one level, it is arguable that the workings of a law firm must be removed from the career I pursue, simply because the goals are different.  On another, however, the same belief systems regarding basic human behavior are critical to any effort, and I perceive as well that ethics goes beyond core values and equates to all ordinary, daily activity.  Presenting myself with a professional appearance, observing the rules of a schedule, and communicating with courtesy all express respect for myself and others.  This is ethics “in action,” just as a single incident reinforces how ethical behavior is seen in the most minor occasions.  Sending an email to my supervisor, I had neglected to attach the relevant documents and, rather than criticize me, he instead expressed that such errors are usually the result of inadequate instruction.  For my benefit, he assumed responsibility for my own error, and this alone augmented my regard for him, my motivation to do better, and how basic decency and consideration must guide all organizational efforts and environments.

Conclusion

If, prior to my internship, I had doubts as to how both learning and ethical foundations apply to business realities, I am gratified to be able to claim that my apprehensions were unfounded.  The experience was excellent in many ways, as it instilled in me the knowledge that true leaders behave ethically, and that expressions of support, in the most practical matters, enhance all business relationships and encourage the best performance.  As I move forward in my life and career, I take with me the invaluable lessons learned from my internship, and I am deeply pleased to have learned, apart from technical and legal matters, that the true professional in any field is served by serving others.