What I Learned Interning at a Start-Up for a Year
- Giselle Gaitan
- May 31, 2019
- 2 min read
Interning at The Outloud Group, an influencer marketing agency located in Detroit, as a Media Planner and Marketing intern taught me so much I ending up staying for a year. I discovered new shows, connected with creators, spearheaded the launch of our Instagram, and so much more. I wanted to share what I learned from my amazing intern experience.
Say What's On Your Mind. Asking questions and speaking up makes you stand out. It never hurts to ask for clarification to figure out what your other team members are thinking. This shows that you are engaged and enthusiastic.
Treat People Like People. One of the key factors for successful influencer marketing campaigns is a healthy relationship. From our end, to the brand's end, to the creator's end, it's important to communicate honestly and humbly. It's not just a transaction; it's a partnership.
Don't Take Yourself Too Seriously. This can be said for everyone, but definitely applies to interns. You are not an expert in the field, and you are there to learn. It's okay to make mistakes. It's even better to ask for help when you want to fix it.
Invest in Yourself. As an intern you're most likely trying to kick start your career and gain some experience. Use this as an opportunity to figure out what you want as a professional and make decisions to achieve those goals.
Say Yes! (Exclamation Point Necessary). Accepting invitations to lunch, coffee, and even side projects make a huge difference in your work day. It helps break up the day and gives your brain a chance to refresh.
Get to Know Your Team. Setting up one on one's with each team member, including the CEO, made coming into work something to look forward to everyday. This is a great way to get know someone, what they do, what they're like, and ask for advice. This establishes a more welcoming workplace environment.
Write "Everything" Down. Like mentioned earlier, you're there to learn. Unfortunately for me, I can't remember everything, so I like to write things down in a dedicated notebook. I wouldn't have remembered all these tips if I had not written them down.
Find Out What's Missing - Think Like an Entrepreneur. If you're curious about what kind of business to start, this is a good first step. What are consumers missing? What would make your business different?
Have Fun. Being productive and proactive is always a priority, but make sure to have fun while doing it. Appreciate this opportunity and enter every day with a positive attitude. It will make working more enjoyable, and make working with you more enjoyable too.
I send endless thank you's to the Outloud Group and all the opportunities they provided me this past year. It's an amazing company filled with amazing people doing amazing work.
If you have more questions on my experience, contact me!
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