Communication, College of Liberal Arts, Class of 2013

Gemline Marketing Intern, Summer 2012

What would you tell your peers they need to do to find a great internship?

I would tell them to use all available resources around them to attain an internship. Family, friends, and faculty members are all connections that may help you find a great internship. Keep a positive outlook and mindset when looking for an internship as well. It might take a few attempts, but maintain a positive attitude while searching for the right internship.

What did you learn from your internship search that you will apply in future job searches?

When I looked for my internship, I would only research and apply to paid internships that were available. This ended up being my number one mistake. After several interviews I realized that I did not have the experience to obtain a paid internship. I took advantage of an unpaid internship that was offered, and after a few months it turned into a paid internship. In future job searches I will keep my options open and look for opportunities in different industries.

What skills are you using and/or learning at your internship that you can use in entry-level jobs?

The biggest skill I am learning at my internship is how to communicate and interact with my co-workers within an organization.  It is important to know your role in the environment you are placed and how to work well with the people around you.  I am gaining a lot of experience with Social Media mediums and how to engage customers effectively.  I am also learning how to build strong relationships with my peers while demonstrating knowledge learned from the classroom.

What is one highlight from your internship experience?

Being involved in the creation and implementation of our product line is amazing.  It is a great experience to watch over the course of several months how much time and work goes into designing the product, working with creative agencies, and then showing off the finished product.

What is the most valuable part of your internship experience? 

The most valuable part of my internship experience is gaining real world experience in a corporate setting.  I have had the opportunity to meet hundreds of professionals and work side by side with them on all types of projects where I am able to see the end result.