- Graduation Year: May 2014
- Major: Advertising
- Hometown: Libertyville, IL
- Hobbies: going to concerts, blogging, tweeting, traveling
Campus Activities
- Kappa Delta Sorority
- Black Sheep Marketing Team
- AAF
Internship | New Business Intern at SPM Marketing & Communications
Duties
During my time at SPM I completed various projects in the fields of not only new business, but research-oriented work similar to account management, as well as a few creative endeavors. My work included the planning, development, and execution of a company e-newsletter targeted to clients, which went hand-in-hand with the creation of a company blog I helped plan. I also worked on an extensive Google Analytics research project for an educational presentation to the company. The most fun project was definitely planning a company-wide summer party.
What did you enjoy most about your internship?
I loved that I was able to dabble in different positions within the agency, because it was such a small agency. Also, because of the size, I was able to grow close to many employees, and I gained professional contacts for the future. Of course, advertising agencies tend to be trendy, social, and exciting environments, whether it’s while we’re working or going out to socialize afterwards.
What was the most difficult aspect of the internship?
I’ll be honest – waking up at 6:30 am and commuting every day was not fun. Having a full time job is a culture shock after college! Luckily, I enjoyed my work, so days went by quickly even when I was working long hours. I also found it difficult to be confident talking to my superiors, especially when I had to present to the entire company – including the two presidents – but it was definitely a worthwhile experience and allowed me to grow as a public speaker.
How did your experience at ILLINOIS and in the College of Media prepare you for your internship?
Being an advertising major teaches you absolutely EVERYTHING about the inner workings of an advertising agency. I understood the dynamics and every position within the agency, so I always knew who to go to with questions. The extensive research I performed in many ad classes was extremely helpful in my position as well, as were the writing and presentation skills I acquired.
How has your internship prepared you for a career?
I feel prepared to enter any position within an advertising agency, whether it’s large or small. As I said before, I was able to work on a variety of projects in different areas of the agency, so I feel prepared to jump on any project I need to within an advertising agency. My public speaking, PowerPoint, research, and simple business skills all improved during my internship as well.
What recommendations do you have for other students about doing an internship?
Take an internship – whether or not it’s paid – as soon as you can! The more experience you can get, the better. Start your search immediately! Don’t wait until a month before Summer, all the good positions will be filled. Also, one of my biggest learning experiences came from asking my supervisors for feedback every so often. Don’t be afraid to do this – it’ll help you become a better employee, advertiser, and you’ll impress your boss!