John Ruskin, a celebrated Brit of the late 19th century, was a writer, critic, and a rather decent painter. On October 29, 1858, he gave a speech at the opening of the Cambridge School of Art, saying something profoundly clever about the importance of "seeing."
Let me quote him directly, with an over-the-top British upper-class accent for full effect:
"Sight. Not a slight thing to teach, this: perhaps, on the whole, the most important thing to be taught in the whole range of teaching. To be taught to read — what is the use of that if you know not whether what you read is true or false? To be taught to write or speak — but what is the use of speaking if you have nothing to say? To be taught to think — nay, what is the use of being able to think if you have nothing to think of? But to be taught to see is to gain word and thought at once, and both true."
Internships.
Ruskin’s insight is extraordinarily relevant to internships. Learning a craft requires knowledge. To acquire that knowledge, you must be able to read and write. But what good is all that knowledge if you can’t see how it works in the real world? If you’re unable to grasp where and how to apply that knowledge?
As Ruskin eloquently put it elsewhere in his speech:
"The main thing they (man) ought to ask for is not light, but sight."
It doesn’t matter how much light (knowledge) you have if you don’t know how to use it.
A textbook on stress analysis is as relevant to understanding a profession as John Ruskin's own works; they're just letters on paper. Internships, on the other hand, let you SEE how things work, how they operate within an industry, profession, or company. They show you what something means. They let you experience it.
Knowledge from books is the light; internships are the sight. Let’s ensure interns are given the chance to SEE.
Knowledge from books is the light; internships are the sight.
Seeing is Believing: Internships Unveiled
Ruskin's advocacy for the power of sight over light parallels the purpose of internships today. Imagine trying to master the art of cooking by just reading cookbooks without ever stepping into a kitchen. Kinda stupid right? The same goes for any profession. You need to get your hands dirty, smell the spices, and maybe even burn a few dishes and disappoint your guests before you truly learn.
Internships provide that essential sensory experience. They transform theoretical knowledge into practical wisdom. They bridge the gap between knowing and understanding, between seeing and believing.
The Light and the Sight
Books and lectures illuminate your path. They are the light. But walking that path, seeing the terrain, and navigating the twists and turns? That’s the sight.
So, let's give our interns more than just information. Let's give them vision. Let's illuminate their path but also ensure they can see where they're going. After all, as Ruskin would agree, it’s not the amount of light that matters, but the clarity of sight it provides.
So, let's help use internships to help students see.