Alexis Martin | LinkedIn
- Graduation Year: May 2014
- Major: Advertising
- Minor: Spanish
Campus Activities
- Chi Omega Sorority
- Intramural Sports
- American Advertising Federation
Internship | Marketing Intern at the University of Illinois Office of Technology Management
Duties
- Conducting market analyses for a variety of technologies and inventions
- Developed a comprehensive breakdown of the pharmaceutical industry and existing UIUC Life Science technologies for the use of the office’s Technology Managers
- Compiling and editing the first quarterly “Engineering Update” and managing the Life Sciences Update
- Creating Sell Sheets and developing contact lists for marketing University technologies
- Assisting in OTM’s Share the Vision Technology Showcase
What did you most enjoy about your internship?
I absolutely love the people I work with. All of the interns are very dedicated and motivated and it is nice to work in such a positive environment. Before joining the OTM, I had never worked for supervisors who genuinely cared about helping me develop professionally. The work I do can be challenging, but it is impossible to feel overwhelmed in such a supportive environment.
What was the most difficult aspect of the internship?
As an Advertising major, I have no hard science background, so when I first started, I had a lot of catching up to do. The technologies I have dealt with all involve physics, engineering, bio or tech, and at first, it was very overwhelming. I had to understand the basics before I could even start working, which meant putting in extra time and effort, all of which paid off.
How did your experience at ILLINOIS and in the College of Media prepare you for your internship?
The University and the College of Media have always encouraged us to take advantage of every opportunity we are presented with. There are so many awesome jobs out there waiting to be found! I applied to the OTM after hearing about it through a College of Media email. The College of Media has an awesome reputation and going to school at Illinois has given me the confidence to apply for jobs that would have intimidated me a few years ago.
How has your internship prepared you for a career?
I am graduating a year early from school, and I would never have felt professionally prepared or qualified to do so if I had not been working at the OTM. This is a grown-up job with real responsibility and accountability, and I have nothing but good things to say about it.
What recommendations do you have for other students about doing an internship?
Finding the right internship can be tough, but if you put the effort into applying to a wide range of jobs, chances are you’ll find the perfect fit. As my boss always reminds me (as I search for a post-grad, full-time position), it’s a numbers game! Apply, apply, APPLY!