From Comfort Zones to Unknowns: Taking Risks and Finding Rewards at RFH
Written by: Sasha Guntu, Strategy Intern
As a child, I was always known for being extremely picky and unwilling to try new things. Whether it was choosing what to wear, what to eat, or even what games to play, I always had a very clear preference in mind and rarely strayed from my comfort zone.
Even my journey of attending college at the University of Southern California (only a 1-hour flight from my hometown of Chandler, AZ) was one that I had dreamed of and set out to achieve from a young age. My family often joked that once I knew what I wanted—or didn’t want—I would settle for nothing less.
When I received the offer for a strategy internship at Razorfish Health, I was both excited and terrified. While the thought of an internship in New York City sounded very glamorous, I was also apprehensive of moving across the entire country on my own (having always been a faithful West Coaster).
On top of that, I had never dipped my toe in advertising before. Prior to this internship, my background had primarily been in healthcare and strategy, making the advertising space seem very daunting and intimidating. This was also my first big internship, which really raised the pressure and made this risk feel like a monumental leap into the unknown.
Despite all the risks involved, I knew that this was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. Knowing I needed to challenge myself and embrace the unknown, I pushed myself to take the leap and accept the offer.
My first few weeks of the internship were a whirlwind. The fast-paced environment and the advertising industry’s unique jargon were brand-new to me, but I was determined to succeed. From watching hours of training videos to familiarize myself with the medical background of certain drugs, to asking my manager to spell out each and every acronym for me, I began to find my footing and really enjoy the work I was doing.
Moving to New York City also meant adjusting to a fast-paced, bustling lifestyle, which further pushed me out of my comfort zone. The plethora of activities to try here fostered a sense of adventure and exploration within me that I’ve never had before, which in turn made me that much more excited to come into work every day.
As I settled into my position, I found myself letting go of my old habits. I started to embrace new experiences and opportunities that I would have previously shied away from. Working on our intern project has allowed me to become more adaptable, open-minded, and quick on my feet. I realized that stepping outside of my comfort zone was not only necessary, but incredibly rewarding.
While I had never considered working at a healthcare advertising agency before, this internship has helped me realize that this industry combines two of my greatest passions: healthcare and creativity. I never would have discovered that this combination was possible without taking the risk and moving across the country for this opportunity. Going forward from this internship, I will forever carry with me the lesson that growth begins only where comfort ends.
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