Interning has been around for quite a while. But to say it has remained the same ol' process would be a lie.
The pandemic — one of many,
many influencing factors — saw the opportunity to adapt to our contemporary times.
So the question now remains: Is a marketing internship even worth considering and, if so, what should I know about it before diving in?
media update's Robyn du Preez spoke to Bukelwa Monqo, director at Atmosphere, for all the deets here:
How does interning benefit newcomers in the marketing industry?
My career started out as an internship in 2011 and, until this day, I still appreciate the fundamentals that I learnt.
These fundamentals laid the very foundation that helped me climb the corporate ladder to later become one of four company directors at Atmosphere Communications.
That is exactly the type of growth that an internship affords you. You learn from the best and, if you stretch yourself enough, you are able to add a fresh perspective to your work.
Once you grasp the importance of your role as an intern, you are even able to, at times,
change the playbook.
What would the industry be without the interns who dared to challenge the status quo based on the teachings they received?
Are there any disadvantages to starting your marketing career with an internship?
Your internship experience is completely in your power and control. Hard skills can always be taught with time, but there are some key soft skills you need in order to thrive in your internship.
One is being a
self-starter and
owning your career; it will really get you places. On the contrary, if you don't display these traits, then your internship may not yield the results you are hoping for.
What do those starting out in their marketing career need to know about interning — before they apply?
Do your research
thoroughly. Your internship years are very important as that is where you build your professional resume, confidence and knowledge — so pick your work environment well.
You will be required to stretch yourself, and sometimes, it won't feel comfortable. So, it is important to have the right mindset going into the industry.
To prepare yourself before applying, you can:
- listen to some industry-related podcasts
- browse the websites of your top 10 companies and see what they focus on, and
- become well-acquainted with the daily media and consumer narrative.
Most importantly, you'll be in the business of telling stories, so make sure you can tell your
story well first.
What should candidates look out for and avoid when applying for internships?
The job search pressure can become overwhelming, but always try to be deliberate and focused in your search.
Get to know yourself first before you pick the companies you want to apply to. Look into
free online tools that will help you understand where your strengths and interests really lie.
This will help you narrow the list, giving you time to perfect your application pitch. Also, consider job shadowing at different companies so that you know what you need to highlight in your application.
Remember, the industry is all about personality. Let your application bring through your
personality. Don't be afraid to send through a summarised creative video version of your CV, or if you are too shy, consider professionally designing your resume. There are many free online platforms that can help you with this.
What are a few dos and don'ts that one should know when interning?
Dos:
- There is always someone watching you, so make sure you do everything as if you were the main character in a movie.
- Ask as many questions as you want. You always save time when you do something right the first time.
- Know what it takes to get to the next level so that you always surpass expectations in the level that you are in.
Don'ts:Don't ever underestimate the value your role has in the overall company. You may be just one piece of the puzzle, but without that piece, the puzzle would never be complete.
Have more questions on interning that you'd like answered by a pro? Drop them here in the comments!
*Image courtesy of Canva