Don’t Waste Your Internship: Tips for Making the Most of Your Summer Job

For some, a summer internship might just seem like a way to pass the time; however, a marketing internship can be an invaluable step in any fledgling advertising or design career. One thing should be understood from the beginning: any internship that’s directly related to your field of study is worth your time.  It allows you to actually get in the trenches with your peers (and superiors if you’re lucky) to learn what you’ll be doing full time after you graduate.  It also allows you as a potential employee to become accustomed with agency culture and learn how things work on a day-to-day basis.

It’s up to you to make the most of an internship opportunity and use the experience to benefit your career.  No, not all internships are paid nor will they guarantee you a position with the company per completion, but it will be your chance to show people what you can do.  This list of tips for landing and thriving in an internship are also applicable to recent graduates assuming entry roles in an advertising agency or design firm, so please share and forward to anyone you think may benefit.

• Initiate the conversation– most companies have more work than they do workers, so it’s likely they would welcome an intern or job shadow candidate even if they don’t advertise the opportunity.  Ask around, send a LinkedIn message to an acquaintance, worst case scenario is the company says no.
• Don’t wait to be asked to do something– When you’re completing an internship, make it a point to know about the current projects being completed.  Sit in on staff meetings and ask questions about how you can help facilitate project deadlines.  No, you don’t want to step on current employees’ toes, but you also want to be sure managers know you’re a resource.
• Get to know the people you’re working with– Being an intern can be intimidating, but you’re really at an advantage because you can see things from the inside and apply them toward your career.  Get to know the people you’re working with, connect on LindkedIn and other social media sites if that’s your marketing forte.  They could become your next killer recommendation and get you one step closer to your post-graduate dream job, even if you don’t stay on with the company where you intern.
• Say thank you– Interns can be a source of help for employers, but you’re also an investment.  They have to take time away from productivity to train and educate you.  Even if it’s not a paid position, don’t forget to thank them for the opportunity.  We’ve included it before in our job interview tips, but a little thank you can make a big difference in a hiring situation.

To learn more about the marketing and social media services provided McCauley Advertising, visit their website and continue to read their blog.  You can also connect with McCauley Marketing on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter for announcement of their latest job opportunities.