Gaining Life Experience Through Unconventional Paths

Students are often told that internships are the golden ticket to career success, opening doors to invaluable networking opportunities and industry exposure. However, what if the key to personal and professional growth isn’t just found in a cubicle? What if a summer filled with adventure, uncertainty, and guiding tourists through the Norwegian wilderness could teach you lessons that many traditional internships might overlook? 

After slogging through my first office internship, I was ready to find out. I wanted more for myself and to have fun while deciding what direction to take for the start of my professional life. This unconventional story took me far away from the corporate world and led me to the fjords of Norway as a tour guide—a choice that would ultimately make me more “future-ready” for the professional world.

The decision to move to Norway stemmed from two motivations: a desire to travel on a student budget and the realization that I couldn’t bear the thought of another dull and unpaid internship. My first work experience had been monotonous, filled with hours of data crunching and endless presentations. It ticked the “corporate experience” box, but it didn’t offer the personal growth I craved. While traditional internships help build essential skills, like professionalism and teamwork, I felt they weren’t enough to make me a well-rounded candidate. My fascination with Scandinavia and the desire for something different led me to apply for a tour guide position in Norway. I never anticipated how profoundly this choice would shape both my career and my outlook on life.

The experience was not without its challenges: the airline lost all my luggage when I first moved, and I was without my belongings for an entire month. Not the best start, but I learned quickly that adaptability was key. Norway’s landscape, however, made it all worthwhile. My work days included taking tourists on scenic train rides through valleys framed by towering waterfalls, the mist from the falls swirling through the air as the train chugged uphill. We cruised through fjords, accompanied by seals and the occasional orca or dolphin.

The job itself required intense preparation. While I had done online training beforehand, once I arrived, I had less than three weeks to learn everything a tour guide needs to know about Norway’s landscapes, Viking history, and fjords. Standing before a group of tourists—most of whom assumed I was an expert—demanded confidence and quick learning. I had to manage everything from logistical problems to cultural nuances.

One of the toughest moments was guiding a group of 140 Spanish tourists through a train tour—only to find out we had just 122 seats. I had to juggle logistics, manage expectations, and keep everyone calm. These tests of leadership and problem-solving pushed me far more than a day at the office ever could.

From these challenges came invaluable lessons. I developed a flexibility that allowed me to handle whatever came my way. Whether it was guiding groups from different cultural backgrounds or managing the inevitable hiccups that come with travel, I learned to stay calm and adjust quickly. These problem-solving abilities and adaptability are skills that translate seamlessly into any corporate setting.

Another key takeaway was the self-confidence I gained. I was guiding people who expected me to be an expert, yet I often learned on the go. This forced me to trust in my abilities, even when I didn’t feel fully prepared. In many ways, the ability to speak confidently to groups has stayed with me long beyond my tour-guiding days and has been crucial to my success in consulting.

Looking back, I can see how different my tour-guiding experience was from a traditional summer internship. While my business development position helped build technical and hard skills, it didn’t push me to grow as a person. I felt like I was going through the motions without gaining the real-world insights I longed for.

Guiding, on the other hand, pushed me out of my comfort zone in every possible way. I learned how to manage diverse groups of people, communicate effectively across language barriers, and think on my feet. Yet, I also recognize the value that traditional internships bring. For technical or skill-specific roles, they can offer crucial industry knowledge and exposure. My advice to students is not to reject one path over the other but to choose roles that align with your interests and offer meaningful growth experiences.

At the time, not everyone understood my decision. I often felt judged for doing something “fun” instead of staying on the traditional career path. But guiding tours in Norway was far from just a vacation. I worked six and a half days a week for four months straight. I dealt with demanding tourists, complicated logistics, and the pressure of constantly being on the move.

One of my favorite moments as a guide was standing on a glacier, leading a group of tourists across the frozen landscape. Each day was an adventure—whether hiking through Norway’s jagged peaks or watching the sunset over a fjord from the deck of a cruise ship. These experiences shaped who I am today. Once I started working full-time, no one cared where I interned, but people appreciated the unique perspective I brought. Working in tourism and hospitality taught me perseverance, adaptability, and leadership—skills that are highly sought after in any field.

The world of work is evolving, and employers are increasingly valuing diverse experiences over a one-size-fits-all career path. As companies adapt to the future of work, having a wide range of skills and experiences - whether through internships, alternative roles or passions - can make you a stronger, more adaptable candidate.

If there’s one piece of advice I would offer students figuring out how to start their professional career, it’s this: follow your own path. Something that seems fun or unconventional can also be an incredible learning opportunity. It’s okay if your summer work experience isn’t in an office. In fact, stepping outside the traditional environment might be what you need to grow personally and professionally.

Figure out what you want to learn, what experiences might shape you outside of the classroom, and don’t be afraid to do something different. The world is bigger than meeting rooms, and sometimes, the best way to prepare for the future is by stepping outside the expected path and doing something that challenges you in entirely new ways.

Corine Ackermann (Class of 2013), is shaping the future of European innovation. After earning her degree at IE University, she has supported corporations through their innovation journeys, both within an innovation hub and as a venture builder. Now based in Switzerland, she is completing her executive MBA while consulting on digital transformation projects for financial services companies. Here she shares how unconventional roles foster growth beyond traditional internships.