Today’s work world prompt is *intern*
Lena Harris stood at the crossroads of her life, clutching a faded cardboard box filled with the remnants of her twenty-five-year second career.
The sun beat down on her from the Southern sky, relentless and unforgiving, just like the company that had discarded her.
But as the days turned into weeks of looking for her next job, an unexpected opportunity arose — a local startup was looking for a summer intern.
She laughed at first. Interning at my age seems absurd.
Yet a spark of curiosity nudged her forward. I will apply. Why not?!
Something amazing happened.
Lena felt like a daisy pushing through the concrete, amazed when the sun shone on her despite the cracks in her petals. After a few Zoom interviews, they offered her the job.
Her first day — week — and months at the company was a whirlwind. It never slowed.
Young faces, full of energy and ambition, buzzed around her. The office was a constant buzz of activity.
At first, she felt out of place, like a relic from another time. But there was work to be done, and she rolled up her sleeves.
Lena’s task was to organize the chaos of the office’s digital filing system. She approached it with meticulousness honed over decades.
As she worked, she couldn’t help but overhear infectious snippets of conversations—dreams of making a difference, excitement about new projects, and passion for change.
One afternoon, a young woman named Mariah approached her.
“Ms. Lena, can you help me with this business process project? I heard you used to do a lot of this kind of work.”
Lena nodded, feeling a sense of purpose. Together, they pored over the document.
Mariah’s ideas were fresh and innovative, but they lacked the polish of experience. Lena guided her, suggesting ways to strengthen the proposal. They worked late into the evening, the glow of their computer screens illuminating their faces.
As they finished, Mariah turned to her with a smile. “Thank you, Ms. Lena. I couldn’t have done this without you.”
Lena felt a joy she hadn’t experienced in a long time.
“There is no limit to one’s ability — certainly not age — to accomplish in life what one must. Within each individual on this large and complicated world there lives an astounding potential of greatness.”*
Weeks turned into months, and Lena was going beyond fitting in —she was thriving. Her years of experience became a mine of knowledge for her younger colleagues.
She was learning, too — new technologies, fresh perspectives, the unbridled enthusiasm of youth. It was a far cry from what she had expected.
One day, as the team celebrated a significant business win, Lena reflected on her journey.
She had felt discarded like the women left to fend for themselves in the book Two Old Women.
“They think that we are too old and useless. They forget that we, too, have earned the right to live! So I say if we are going to die, my friend, let us die trying, not sitting.”*
Just as the characters in that book found strength and purpose in the harsh wilderness, Lena had discovered a new beginning in this vibrant office.
Lena smiled. Her destiny had taken an unexpected turn, leading her to this new space where she survived and blossomed, proving that it was never too late for a new beginning.
© Scarlet Ibis James, 2024: All Rights Reserved.
*Velma Wallis, Two Old Women, [Anniversary Edition]: An Alaska Legend of Betrayal, Courage and Survival
About Two Old Women
Two Old Women: An Alaska Legend of Betrayal, Courage, and Survival” by Velma Wallis is a powerful and inspiring novel.
The book tells the story of two elderly women abandoned by their tribe during a harsh winter in the Alaskan wilderness.
Despite their age and initial despair, they demonstrate remarkable resilience, ingenuity, and courage as they struggle to survive independently.
I believe this is one of the most brilliant business books out there, and it has practical and riveting lessons for people of any age!
It’s a moving read offering a gripping story and valuable life lessons.
You can buy it here via my Amazon affiliate link. It’s a fabulous book, and if you decide to buy it through my link, I might earn a small commission.
Disclaimer - This article was initially published on Medium.com.