If you’re thinking about getting a marketing internship, do it. Before I began my marketingworx internship, I was pretty inexperienced in the world of marketing and public relations and unsure of what to expect. Now, as my internship comes to a close, I thought I’d take time to reflect on a few of the many things I learned along the way. Not only is coffee my new best friend, but I’ve learned that working in an office can be fun and the people you work with can easily become important to you. Of all the things I learned as a marketing intern, here are the five most important lessons:
1. Networking is invaluable
First, and foremost, I wouldn’t know about the internship opportunity if it wasn’t for a connection I made through my sorority. As a business student, I now realize that it’s incredibly important to network. Generating contacts, forming new relationships and attending events, provides the opportunity to connect with people who can potentially help build your career. I make it a priority to always give a great first impression, because you never know how the person you’re meeting could contribute to your life, whether its personal or professional. As an intern, building connections is just as valuable as gaining work experience to help prepare for your future career goals.
2. Step out of your comfort zone
An internship gives you the opportunity to try new things without the long-term commitment. I believe trying new things is rewarding, and you may even surprise yourself in the process. It’s imperative to take every opportunity that comes your way, and not to be scared of trying new things. I know, it’s super cliché, but it’s true. Trying new things, especially pertaining to this internship, has helped me challenge my abilities, beliefs, and knowledge. Even if I was unsure of what I was doing when I began a project, I still took it on with confidence and I saw it as an opportunity to learn and grow. One of the great things about an internship is you get to experience things that you could never study in a classroom. Learning new things and being able to complete tasks that were initially foreign to me, gave me a great sense of accomplishment.
3. We are all a work in progress
As an intern, you will make mistakes. Its inevitable. I believe its all about how you handle failure and learn from it. Coming into the position with no real-world marketing experience was a bit scary, and at first very intimidating. I had to learn not to get frustrated with myself when things were confusing or challenging, and to remind myself that I had never done anything like this before. I needed to learn to cut myself some slack and be a little more patient. In some instances, I needed to slow down, take a step back and ask questions. It’s important not to be afraid to ask questions or ask for guidance. When you are an intern, you are given the opportunity to gain situational knowledge. No matter what level of experience you’ve had or where you are in your education, you can learn from your managers and peers. In order to learn, you need to put yourself in unfamiliar circumstances. Afterall, you are there to be taught and learning should be both inevitable and intentional.
4. Marketing is more complex than you think
One of the things that surprised me is how many aspects there are to marketing. Marketing is not the cookie-cutter definition of promoting products or services, it’s much more complex. Marketing includes social media, blog writing, press releases, media pitching, contests and promotions, events and grand openings, and much more. Each of these things falls under the marketing and they are all part of the mix. I’m aware that some companies assign these different aspects to separate teams, but I had the opportunity to work on all of these things for multiple clients. Seeing how every aspect works together and the thought process that goes into the strategies has taught me how a marketing firm functions.
5. Whatever you do, invest the time
Something I have always tried to live by, and that stuck with me during my time at marketingworx is to always put 100 percent of my effort into everything I do. In any job, truly investing in what you do, will no doubt make you a better employee. Personally, investing both the time and the effort will help foster growth, which will help lead to success. A good work ethic is a valuable trait. It can be seen in the little things you do, like taking initiative and completing assignments accurately and on time. I’ve learned that when I hold myself accountable, it keeps me from procrastinating. An internship is often a first step into the “real-world,” and you want to make yourself memorable to any company you work for.
I am very proud that I was able to take on this new adventure and test myself as a marketing intern. I truly learned a lot and would highly recommend it to others. Pushing yourself to find an internship, will allow you to gain knowledge and professional experience in your field of interest. Although I was only there for a semester, I am very grateful for the opportunity I had to be a part of the marketingworx family.
If you or someone you know is interested in exploring a career in PR and marketing and would like to apply for an internship position, email a cover letter and resume to info@marketingworxpr.com.