Yesterday Seth Godin announced his 4th internship program. The aim: to change the world. Or, in his words, build something “useful, generous and powerful”.
If you have the time and the skills, you should apply.
Why Apply?
Everyone wants to work with Seth Godin. Here’s a guy whose written over a dozen books, started two companies and launched a handful of other successful projects. He’s had failures to give him wisdom and successes to give him confidence. Who wouldn’t want to work with him?
Stop.
Before you apply, examine your reasons. Go ahead and apply to work with Seth. But also apply to:
- Work With Smart People
Sure, Seth’s a smart guy. But imagine the people he’ll hire. Working with Seth is one thing. Working with a team hand-picked by Seth on a project that could affect millions of people’s lives? That’s quite another. - Have a Transforming Experience
Every found a startup? The intensity, the energy, the bonds you create with others. It’s like nothing you’ve ever experienced. It pushes you outside your comfort zone and forces you to grow. In the end, you create something beautiful that you can share with others. - Learn Awesome New Skills
Building fast teaches you new skills. I’ve now gone through two Startup Weekends and helped run two others. Each time I learn new skills, new tools. I leave better than I arrived. If you go through this internship, I guarantee you will too.
But…I Can’t
Don’t think you can? Only you can decide that, but before making your decision, think outside the box:
- I have a job.
Take 2 weeks vacation. No vacation? Take unpaid leave. Better yet, convince your employer to pay you to go. Call it continuing education. You’ll learn a lot more than that $2,500 conference you’re scheduled to go to. - I don’t have money.
Start a Kickstarter campaign. Find sponsors. Hell, if you decide to apply because of this post and get accepted, I’ll kick in $500 to help you get there. [Leave a comment below to let me know you’re applying. No comment to verify you read this post, no money.] - I have kids.
Send them to camp. Or leave them with your spouse, grandparents or other caretaker. It’s only two weeks. Remember: happy parents make happy kids. Use it as a lesson for how to seize opportunities.
Ideas for Applying
Decided to apply yet? Before you jump in, make sure you:
- Read the Instructions
Don’t be sloppy. Read the entire announcement page before clicking through to the application. - Refer Others
Seth asks to be impressed by you referring others to the internship. Sure, it’s a savvy marketing strategy. But it might help identify teams of people who might work well together. Why should all the interns be strangers to one another? So get others to list you on their application. And if you discovered the internship via this post, I’d love to be listed as your referral. Use “Trevor Lohrbeer” or “Fast Fedora”. - Don’t Wait to Be Picked
Apply, then move on. Continue working to change your life, other people’s lives, the world. Don’t wait to be picked.
You might also want to check out previous internships. Read what Seth learned from one internship. Check out some bios from previous interns. Review the application that got Jeff Widman accepted or Lauryn Ballesteros’s web plea….yes, she got picked (read about her experience and why you don’t need to be Seth Godin or Richard Branson to achieve greatness). Read what Richard Millington learned during his 3 month internship.
What To Do If You Don’t Get Picked
Wondering what you should do instead of waiting to be picked?
- Attend the World Domination Summit
A conference for people who want to change the world. Combine adventure and travel with a heavy measure of service to others. Amazing speakers, inspiring attendees. Tickets are sold out for this year, but you can always join us in Portland for a world record float attempt. - Join Code for America
Think the Peace Corps for geeks. Join a brigade in your city or start a new one. Use your programming, project management, web design and marketing knowledge in the service of a better civic society. - Participate in a Startup Weekend
Take a business from idea to execution in 54 hours. Startup Weekend events happen in hundreds of cities around the world. Look for an upcoming event in a city near you.
Whatever you do, be awesome. And apply today.
Did you apply to Seth’s internship? Why?
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