(Say “yes” to everything, be curious, take risks and stay busy!)
By Delaney Garvey
Landing an internship in marketing is exciting, but maximizing it? That’s where the real work happens. Whether interning with a busy agency that has multiple clients or in-house at your dream company, an internship is your opportunity to learn, contribute and build momentum for your career. Having gone through my own, here are four takeaways that helped me maximize my marketing internship.
- Say “Yes” to Anything
Let’s start with the most important takeaway. I remember clearly on my first day, sitting in the Creative Director’s office and him saying, “Say ‘yes’ to everything, that is how you get the most out of this job.” And since then, I have taken that to heart. Your internship is when you can test anything, so say “yes” to every task and project you’re offered, even if it’s unfamiliar to you. Test your hand at writing copy, join a brainstorm or assist with tracking analytics. Applying yourself to anything and everything helps you figure out what gets you pumped up and helps you develop new skills in the meantime. You don’t have to be an expert, just be open. Every “yes” is a step towards figuring out what you’re passionate about and showing your team you’re capable and ready for more.
- Be Curious
Curiosity is your greatest strength. Ask questions. Inquire how a campaign was constructed. Learn how success is quantified and what tools are used. Request to follow various team members. You don’t have to know it all, but showing interest and initiative will set you apart and accelerate your learning curve. One of the most valuable assets you can bring to your internship is curiosity. Curiosity shows you care, are eager to learn and that you can think outside the box.
It also enables you to build richer relationships with your team. People like to talk about what they know, and that’s where some of the best insights come from, the ones that you can’t pick up in a training manual. Stay curious, and not only will you learn more quickly, but you’ll start to see a better overall picture of how marketing is all integrated.
- Take Risks
Marketing involves risk-taking and creativity, and so does being a fantastic intern. Don’t be afraid to chime in during a meeting with an idea. No idea is “bad”, and contributing is an opportunity to learn and find confidence in the workplace. Volunteer to give a presentation to your team. These risks may feel scary initially, but they ultimately result in the most rewarding growth (and build well-deserved confidence).
- Stay Busy
Don’t wait for work to come to you. If you’ve got downtime, volunteer your help. Find patterns in the data, write some social copy or research and learn from competitor strategy. Getting busy and being productive indicates that you care and enables you to find out what you’re good at. You’ll be surprised at how much you can get done in a matter of weeks.
In the end, internships are what you make of them. Say yes, be inquisitive, take risks, and just keep going. By doing these things, you won’t just walk away with a great experience, you will leave with real momentum and valuable life lessons that will stick with you the rest of your career.
