"I didn't get the internship that I wanted and it's bumming me out. How can I deal with the feelings of inadequacy that have been coming up?"
Feeling inadequate after this kind of experience makes sense. I can’t tell you how many times the job opportunity I wanted didn’t work out and I went around thinking I wasn’t cut out for the health field at all. In moments like these, I tend to remind myself that you never truly fail until you stop trying. If you let this instance of defeat stop you from pursuing your goals, that’s when you don’t have a chance at success. Until then, you have to keep trying but also continue learning from the experience and take every rejection as an opportunity to grow.
It’s also super hard to not get down on yourself in our campus climate. It seems like everyone has had their whole life together since day one, and that you’re the only one that’s kind of floundering sometimes. But trust me, we’re all kind of a mess on the inside, we just differ in how we choose to express it.
Again, life might seem a little messy right now, but this too shall pass if you continue to put yourself out there for the opportunities you’re seeking. The fact that you’re already putting yourself out there and applying to internships puts you ahead of most of the pack, and now all you have to do is find the perfect fit for you. Good luck, and keep calm!
Justin