Being a recent college grad, you tend to hear the same phrases—Congratulations! Welcome to the real world! So what now? What are your plans for the future? How’s the job search going? —And so on.
For me, my answers are simple—Thank you! I plan to finish my internship at Mustang Marketing, start my full-time career in marketing and move to a fabulous location!
Sounds easy, except it’s a bit more complicated. By the time you graduate, your resume has to be polished and full of experiences. But where do those experiences come from when no one will hire you without them? The answer is simple: internships.
Fortunately, I learned this early on and landed three different marketing internships throughout my college years. The most important thing I learned from my internships is that I chose the right career path for myself.
I am one of the few interns that have been hired by Mustang Marketing to provide assistance in various marketing and public relations projects. All of the projects and tasks are different from one another—scanning news articles, running errands, attending meetings, proofreading press releases, writing blog posts, updating social media accounts and compiling research. The range of projects gives me a better sense of the company and the experience that the “real world” is looking for.
The most important thing that Mustang Marketing taught me is there is no task too small. Without the little things, the big things could not be accomplished. My favorite part about interning at Mustang Marketing, besides being at a real marketing firm, is the company culture and the creative characters I get to work with.
Here are some reasons that both students and employers could benefit from internships:
The value of internships for the student:
- Builds authentic work experience
- Shows interest in a specific field
- Enhances professional skills
- Provides networking opportunities
- Introduces company culture
The value of internships for the company:
- Provides opportunity to try-out future employees
- Enhances millennial prospective
- Increases productivity
- Supports local schools and students
Whether you are a student or employer, the value of internships are exponential. My internships have given me the opportunity to grow and learn from each company. As a recent grad, my advice to a student is it’s never too early for an internship; and to the employer, give an intern a chance, it may be the start of a career.
Sandra Abarca, intern