What did you most enjoy about your internship?
It was terrifying at first, but I loved that I moved to a city that was completely new to me. This internship helped me grow professionally, but also contributed to a tremendous amount of personal growth along the way. Coming to work was always fun for me. It was stressful and chaotic at times, but I loved the challenge. This internship was unique because the interns and I had two clients that were specifically for us, Special Olympics Nebraska and the Better Business Bureau. We had great mentors to help guide us, but we were directly responsible for everything we created!
What was the most difficult aspect of the internship?
The most difficult part of my internship was adjusting to the new environment I was in. For the first week or so, I didn't really know anyone outside of work or what to do after work. Most of the other interns were from Omaha and had their own social circles already. However, I was lucky to find some great friends in the city and soon, everything changed. Bailey Lauerman did a great job encouraging us interns to spend time together at work and outside of it. By the end of the summer, us interns had grown so close to each other that it was incredibly hard (and emotional) to leave!
How did your experience at ILLINOIS and in the College of Media prepare you for your internship?
The College of Media played a huge part in preparing me for what to expect in an advertising agency through all the projects I did as an Advertising major. My executive board position as VP Member Relations for the American Advertising Federation gave me experience in project management, a skill that was core to the role. I also met the recruiter through Steve Hall, our faculty advisor, which definitely helped me get an interview!
How has your internship prepared you for a career?
This internship helped me grow in ways I never could have anticipated. I got to touch several advertising campaigns and see them come to life. I learned how to work at the pace agency life expects - fast and efficient. I learned how to lead a group of people to produce some pretty amazing results. Learning about advertising in the classroom is important, but an internship teaches you the principles and fundamentals of the industry in a way that is incomparable.
What recommendations do you have for other students about doing an internship?
When you finally land an internship, the "interview" doesn't stop there. The entire time you work there should be thought of as an extended interview. The company/agency is investing a lot of time and energy to develop you, so make sure that you make the most of it! Don't just complete your day-to-day responsibilities, find ways to go above and beyond to make an impact. Whether it's getting involved on another project, working with one of the Directors of the agency to come up with new initiatives to improve the company culture, or even just saying "Hi" to a new person each day, make that impact. You'll find that the connections you make along the journey are invaluable to your future success and growth.