Internship advice, anxious & nervious

[Archaicnyc]

Hi all, I am starting a video editing internship in September as a junior assistant video editor in New York City and I'm nervious. Being a Christian amongst people of different religions, beliefs, and some with non at all. I'm not planning to tell everyone that I'm a Christian, but if someone asks me, I'm not going to hide it. I'm just nervious about the internship being a Christian. Afraid of being judged or being excluded from things. Anyone have any thoughts, advice, comments? I guess I'm afraid of the unknown, the unexpected. I've never been around nonChristians in the workplace, or much in life. Anyone have any advice or experience in this kind of thing? May be how I should think or act about being amongst secular people and being a Christian?

Thank you for your thoughts!

 

[drjean]

Be yourself... with a little restraint. Don't worry about telling others what you believe... but show them by being nice (but not gullible) and fair... and do your best. Don't tell lies, don't exaggerate etc. Think about others you are acquainted with that you may not have told your faith to (come on, we all have someone)... maybe a neighbor that thinks (knows ) you're a good person... because you are...

Remember, everyone in the program as an intern is also having the same jitters I think. Pray about who you do open up to and form a stronger bond with... see how others share what they believe. When in doubt, pray... and sometimes just sharing that with someone who is having a "private" issue and has told... just sharing that you will pray for them (or if it works out, ask right then and do so..) I think the Billy Graham organization has promoted that and has yet to have anyone turn them down for prayer... and if it isn't them, then another group just goes out and asks people on the street if they can pray for them... and no one has turned them down.

Let your Christianity show through your works...and actions. If they all go out for a wicked movie..do you go? If they go to the bar to chill...do you go? If they start telling off colored jokes, do you laugh... those kinds of life things...

Good wishes! I'm sure there will be things that you will want to edit and the group will vote otherwise...

 

[Archaicnyc]

Thank you drjean!! I really appreciate it that you took the time to write me like that. Indeed I will take your words to heart

 

[iluvatar5150]

This business can get pretty salty at times, so there's a strong chance you're jumping right into the deep end with regards to people acting in non-christian ways.

Fortunately, this probably won't extend to every aspect of their dealings. Their language and recreational activities may not be what you're accustomed to, but most of the tech people I've worked with are honest, hard-working, and trustworthy and just want to be the best they can be. If I had to pick between working with someone like this, or someone who acted like "the perfect Christian" but was lazy and unreliable, I would take the hard-working partier in a heartbeat.

This industry is built on personal connections and networking, which means that your paper resume is far less important than your ability to interact with others - part of that is impressing them with the quality of your work; part of that is being able to work well with different people and adapt. Part of that is learning the boundaries between informing others of what you believe and expecting them to come along. Do not preach at people; do not get self-righteous - those will kill your reputation and no one will want to work with you. (and those things aren't even effective, so what's the point?) Fortunately, these days, particularly in a big city, people seem to be pretty tolerant of others with different viewpoints, so long as those views aren't being foisted on others. I wouldn't expect you to catch much flack for abstaining from the activities you find bothersome.

-Dan.

 

[keith99]

What kind of Christian are you?

Do you see the speck in someone elses eye while ignoring the plank in your own?

If you are that kind of Christian you will have problems, and deservedly so.

While not nearly as bad do you see every little speck in your own eye (and worry about it or make a show about it)? That can get you 'branded as a prig, and also rightfully so.

Do you drink, or really more importantly do you not drink and think that is a virtue. Or worse thnk it a sin to drink. Then you will have problems and rightfully so. And God have mercy on you if you have the misfortune to meet someone like me, who does not believe but knows Scrpture reasonably well and would be sure to beat you over the head abotu the wedding at Cana where Christ provided the wine to the guests who were at the least buzzed.

Or instead are you the kind of Christain who keeps his word, shows up to work on time (and going back to the good side of not drinking to excess, sober and not hung over). The kind who does his best and trys to help his co-workers?

If so odds are you will do just fine. Oh you can have problems, remember some production companies are union shops and you had better not do someone elses job. And yuo might have a useless coworker where your good work makes their poor work more obvious. But those are not problems from being Christian.

In short, to a large degree as you sow so shall yea reap. But be ready to deal with a broad brush. Simply put some Christians are real jerks and you MIGHT end up reaping what one of those has sown.


BTW I think the idea of not wearing your Christianity on your sleave but also not hiding it is a good idea and hopefully a reflection that you are not the kind I brought up to start.

 

[Thunder Peel]

You may be surprised at how accepting some non-believers can be. I've worked with Christians who were dishonest and unpleasant people; I've also worked with atheists and agnostics who treated me with respect and love. Just be yourself and don't be ashamed of Christ. Even if they disagree with you, they're likely to respect you and what you believe if you do everything honestly and to the best of your ability. Good luck!

 

[revrobor]

Don't get defensive if anyone should insult God or anything about Him. He can take care of Himself.

 

[gocarroll711]

I used to work as an actor in NYC and later worked in casting and production. I didn't want to push anyone away, but I also struggled with sharing my faith, even in the occasions when it would've been appropriate to do so. I never really encountered a lot of hostility towards Christianity, everyone was just honest and open about what they did or did not believe. I guess a good way to sum up my experience is that I learned that "wearing Christ on my sleeve" doesn't have to mean I'm pushy or overbearing. It just means being open and ready to speak when the Holy Spirit orchestrates the opportunities.

 

[KimberlyAA]

You shouldn't be anxious or nervous about anything. You should be positive and blunt. Don't be intimidated by anyone because of your faith. In fact, if people have issues with you about that, ignore them and just do your job.