Audrey A McGee

When you’re graduating college, going into an internship, you’ll hear the phrase, “say yes to everything.” I strongly disagree.

In February of 2025, headed into the last quarter of my internship, I ended up working four different jobs at once.

1. My internship at Taproot
2. My waitressing job at the retirement home
3. Teaching theatre at Dandylyon
4. Being backstage swing for Lewis and Tolkien (also at Taproot)

The number of times I triple-booked myself was appalling.

I don’t know about you, but that stresses me out beyond belief. Not healthy and not sustainable. Other obligations like friendships and church were really difficult to maintain!

Opportunities are exciting, ABSOLUTELY. You want to build your resume, OF COURSE! You saw in tip #6 that I asked for more opportunities and that turned out great for me. So comes the first part of my tip: use your “no’s” sparingly.

You do want to make sure that you’re making a good impression on the people around you, and good impressions always include excitement and commitment to the workplace. Going above and beyond, at some points, will secure you as being the person that they’ll go to for future jobs! Try not to turn down every thing that comes your way, or they’ll stop asking you.

That being said.

Your time is valuable.

Your sanity? Moreso.

Some people thrive on “the grind” naturally; great for them. That’s not everyone, though. And if that’s not you, please don’t feel like you’re failing at being professional. Your pace is your own, and your career journey is your own.

Don’t say yes to everything, to every opportunity. There will be opportunities out there that are just not worth your energy.

What do you really want to learn? What gets you excited? What gets your company excited?

Use your “yes’s” wisely. Invest your energy where you’ll get a good return on it.

This upcoming school year is the first time that I’m only working one job (as opposed to doing a couple part-timers, or a part-time with school). And, although we have a BIG season coming up and I may briefly lose my mind, I’m not splitting my energy, at least. I’ve said “yes” to this permanent role, and so far, it’s been amazing.

That was a very wise yes.