internship spotlight
Bridget Hynes
Graduation Year
May 2017
Major
Advertising
Minor
Communication, Public Relations Certificate
Hometown
Oak Lawn, Illinois
Campus Activities
-NSAC Media Director
-AAF Executive Board
-Verge Illinois Content Director
-Media Career Services Social Media, Branding and Marketing Intern
-Gamma Phi Beta Sorority
Hobbies
Reading, running, watching new shows on Netflix
LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-hynes-33605b95
Employer
Starcom Mediavest
Internship Title
Audience and Measurement Solutions Intern
What were your duties?
-Sit in on client meetings with Airbnb, Allstate and Esurance
-Conduct post-campaign social media analysis of Airbnb campaign
-Use MRI to validate the accuracy of both Allstate and Esurance proposed new target segmentation, recommend next steps
-Create a "target snapshot" of the Allstate consumer based on demographics, psychographics, and media habits
-Update post-campaign analysis surveys for print campaigns
-Work with a team of 5 other interns to propose strategies for increased mobile innovation to Airbnb
What did you most enjoy about your internship?
I most enjoyed that I was given real responsibility and valued as a true member of the team. I was given real assignments that needed to get done and had an impact on the client.
What was the most difficult aspect of the internship?
The most difficult aspect of the internship was also being given real responsibility. My supervisors gave me direction, but I was expected to hit deadlines and manage my time at work wisely in order to do so.
How did your experience at ILLINOIS and in the College of Media prepare you for your internship?
The College of Media Career Services gave me the confidence to pursue internship opportunities like this one. My classes throughout the advertising track gave me the skills to succeed in all areas of advertising, but also helped me to decide which roles I liked best in the industry, and helped me to increase my knowledge of these areas.
How has your internship prepared you for a career?
My internship at Starcom gave me a 10-week trial of what a real career in advertising looks like. I learned how to manage deadlines, interact with clients, and work as a team. Thinking on my feet and adapting to the changes that came with each day have also prepared me for the rest of my career.
What recommendations do you have for other students about doing an internship?
Careers are built on opportunities. Your first small internship will be what gets you that first big internship, which will be what gets you your first full-time job. Doing your job well, and truly enjoying what you do will get you very far! Have fun with it and realize that your fellow interns and co-workers are becoming your network, whom you will run into for years to come in the industry--so leave a good impression!
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