Just as soon as I got settled here, it’s already time to move on. This internship was great and has been quite an adventure. The skills I learned are invaluable not only professionally, but also personally. Sure, I could have done an internship elsewhere to learn the same skills, but I wouldn’t have gotten the same “family” experience. Marketing Works lives and breathes good values: We get it. We do what it takes. We do the right thing. We care.
Part of the family feel is being the small office it is, and it’s important to be on good terms with everyone and stay engaged since you’re with these people every day. Being a female-dominated company, there was a joke from when I first started that I gained six more sisters, and that has been proven to be true. They’ve been great mentors, and I thank them all for all the guidance and support.
This may sound cliché, but this truly has been a great experience, and I’ve grown so much both professionally and personally.
Professionally, I came here a bit inflated as a recent college grad with previous work experience. However, one week into my internship, and my eyes were opened to how much more I had to learn. Everything from large tasks like writing this blog to minute details like email etiquette, I learned tips and best practices of each.
I’ve been able to put my hands on many projects, which is exactly what I wanted to accomplish within this short timeframe. Social media and the blog were my priorities, and I’ve learned skills from them that can be applied to many other disciplines. My favorite project was printing out client web pages, organizing them on the wall and creating sitemaps. I’ve also had my share of unusual projects, like shopping for gifts for clients.
Personally, as I mentioned in my midway blog, this was more than just a career experience for me. I’ve become more mature being on my own for the first time; handling a household budget, planning meals and cleaning, learning a whole new city, etc. I’ve always had someone with me to navigate a new place, but now I’m over two hours from my family and friends and am flying solo for the first time.
My advice for future interns is, I encourage you to take a leap of faith and don’t limit your opportunities due to hidden doubts and fears. Forrest Gump was right: “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” Life is too short to not take chances. I’m preaching to myself when I say this because it’s not my nature to step outside my comfort zone. It was a huge risk for me to move for this internship, but now it’s paid off, and I plan on staying in the area. If you would have told me when I first started college that I would end up in Columbus in marketing I would have thought you were nuts.
I’m still waiting to see what’s lined up for me next. If it’s half as good as this internship, I’ll know I’ll love it!
If you or someone you know is interested in a 3 month post grad internship with Marketing Works, contact Melissa@marketingworks360.com for more information!