Everyone has heard the horror stories of being an intern. Itβs getting coffee, filing papers, and making copies. This couldnβt be further from the reality of my summer internship at Glint Advertising.
During my summer internship at Glint, I completed real work for clients, was a part of client meetings, and most importantly, learned alongside a phenomenal team. I knew that I would learn a lot from this internship at Glint, but I had no idea that it would be to the extent that I have learned today. This internship has surpassed my expectations, and I am very thankful to the whole team at Glint for that.Β
In my time here, I have had the opportunity to dabble in so many different areas — some that I didnβt even know existed. I have learned more than I ever knew was possible about social media (integration + analytics), SEO (I truly thought I knew what this was and entailed — I didnβt), the ins and outs of an automated email campaign, how to manage both clients and your internal team, exploring podcast and blog topics, and lastly, I learned so much about myself.Β
Here are just a few of my major takeaways from this amazing experience:
Graciously Receive Feedback
Receiving feedback on something that you have spent countless hours on can be challenging. However, knowing how to take it graciously and applying it is so beneficial in the long run. This is one of the main lessons that I have learned during my internship here at Glint. When I completed my first presentation, there was a lot of feedback. At first, it was overwhelming. However, I took that information graciously and learned so much from it. The feedback that I received from that presentation was enormously valuable, and I apply so much of what I learned into what I do every day. I also received critiques, not only on my work but also on my character and how I communicate with others. It is important to remember that the person giving it takes their time to do so because they believe in you and see your potential. I am grateful to the team at Glint for giving me such valuable insight into my work and character.
Be Prepared & Intentional
Another area that I focused on is always being prepared and intentional. This looks very different in the workplace than it does in school. In school, your teacher gives you a study guide, and if you know that material and study, you can make an βA.β However, I quickly learned that this is not the way it works in an agency. It is crucial to have all of your research done and be over-prepared because clients and your teamΒ willΒ ask the tough questions. Know the answer. Being intentional is also an area that I focused on during my internship. I learned to have a purpose behind everything I do, whether it is the content of an email, a particular design choice in a graphic, or even a particular sentence in a blog post. Be intentional with your words and actions, and have your research done to back it up. Donβt just say something to say something.Β
Be Confident
Having confidence is key. Those around you will have confidence in you and trust and receive your ideas and initiatives well when you have confidence. No one wants to take ideas from someone who doesnβt seem too sure of it themselves.
Listen to Everything
Some of my most valuable learning moments have been from simply listening to conversations that happen in the office. I have learned how important having a supportive and encouraging culture is, connecting with clients, and best handling difficult situations. I have seen the team at Glint handle some challenging conversations with such grace and ease, and it is one thing that I will never forget. I will try and mimic those responses when the situation presents itself in the future.Β
Be Thankful
Not many people get to have this incredible opportunity to work alongside very established professionals. Be thankful for their time and use it wisely. The most valuable part of my internship has been having conversations with each team member and simply learning about their journeys in this crazy but incredible industry.Β
I cannot thank the whole team at Glint enough for all of their time and advice over the past few months. The team at Glint truly loves what they do, and it shows in their work and attention to their clients. This internship has made me so excited for the future, and I am excited to begin my journey in this industry. I will continue to learn and grow throughout my career, and I have the team at Glint Advertising to thank for being a massive part of that.Β
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