- Graduation Year: May 2014
- Major: Advertising
- Hometown: Western Springs, IL
- Hobbies: Writing, watching baseball, consuming pop culture
Campus Activities
- American Advertising Federation at Illinois
- National Student Advertising Competition
- The Daily Illini
- College of Media Student Ambassadors
- (Currently studying abroad)
Internship | Strategy Intern at GSD&M
Duties
As a Strategy Intern, my main responsibilities were to research consumers, current market trends and other aspects of the business challenge at hand. Additionally, it was my job to simplify my research findings into concise and actionable recommendations for both my team and the client. I was lucky to have the unusual privilege of working under 3 different strategists because our client (Walgreens) was so massive and often had us working on several different assignments at once.
What did you most enjoy about your internship?
From a work standpoint, I really enjoyed being able to touch so many different pieces of the Walgreens business. One day I would be working on a Walgreens beauty strategy and the next I would be searching for answers on how to best sell the chain’s pharmacy services. This constant flow of new projects kept things interesting and forced me to always be on my A-game. Additionally, my summer was truly unforgettable because I was able to explore the amazing city of Austin and make lifelong friends.
What was the most difficult aspect of the internship?
Although this sounds crazy, the most difficult aspect of the internship was also my favorite part: the constant influx of new projects. As I mentioned above, working on several projects each week forced me to really be the best strategist I can be, it came with challenges because working at an agency and for clients means tight deadlines and high expectations. That said, there was never a dull moment.
How did your experience at ILLINOIS and in the College of Media prepare you for your internship?
I can say in all honesty that without my experiences in the College of Media, I would not only not have gotten this internship, but I would not have been as effective in my job as well. From an academic standpoint, the curriculum in the Charles H. Sandage Department of Advertising is rigorous and always challenges you to apply theory to real life coursework. As a result, I have been doing tasks like the ones I did at GSD&M since my freshman year. On top of that, my experiences with the American Advertising Federation (AAF) and the National Student Advertising Competition (NSAC) were the things to get me this internship and my internship last summer with McDonald’s Corporation. Those organizations are the place to get even more hands-on advertising experience beyond the classroom.
How has your internship prepared you for a career?
My summer as a Strategy Intern gave me a glimpse into what life as a brand strategist at an agency is really like. This was ideal because that is what I plan to do after college. It also gave me a general picture of what life in an agency is like and how you must always be restless, curious and passionate about the work you do in order to be both successful and happy in your career. These lessons were invaluable and I think all students should strive to have similar real-world lessons before graduating.
What recommendations do you have for other students about doing an internship?
Most importantly, I would say “apply, apply, apply.” The internship and job market is more competitive than ever and students often apply to a few places they really want to work, but do not keep their options open. Once you land that internship, my advice is to always ask questions and to go above and beyond what is expected of you at all times. It goes a long way and also allows you to walk away from your summer internship with the best experience possible!