Saved the day

Even though I have been feeling overwhelmed with school and my internship, I have noticed that I am a valid part of a team. Just last week, one of the graphic designers quit out of no where at our sister company, and there I was, my iBook in hand. I have been learning a lot. A lot of it is writing, but even more, is the experience I am getting.

Earlier this month, we had a trade show all the way in Dallas, Texas. I had no idea what went into planning a trade show. I was the one who set everything, from the shipping of the booth to the very last detail about how many electrical outlets we were going to need. Although I was doing some important things for planning, I also had to do some "intern duties" as well. This included getting postcards printed and then putting 1,000 address labels on them by hand, for shipment before the end of the day. I finished it, and many of the receivers brought their postcard to the trade show, which my boss liked and thanked me for. For my first trade show, I don't think I did half-bad. According to my boss who I was planning this escapade for, it went on without a snag.

I think overall, my experience has been a positive one. I feel important, and I'm glad I'm not just making copies and coffee all day long. I am working on some upcoming projects with search engine optimization, and I am excited to learn a new skill.

So far I am satisfied with the hands-on experience

So far I have been really enjoying my internship, I currently got to attend and help organize the "Meet the Phillies" even which was held at the National Constitutional Center. Although I do not work for the Phillies, since baseball season is approaching, my internsip's main projects right now is to market the Phillies. I really enjoy seeing and being involved with the 'behind the scenes' on what it takes to organize and market the events. I have been currently creating my own marketing plan for the Philadelphia Phillies and I have to present my ideas to a few of the marketing managers at my internship.
Due to my experience with interning with two sports teams; I got a first-hand look on different marketing styles, promotions, and events. Therefore, I plan to apply my knowledge to my future projects and assignments. I felt useless at my last internship because all they had me do was administrative work such as send out faxes, update databases, and stuff envelopes. Although I do some of that work at my current internship, I receive more projects that relate to marketing/public relations and event planning. I also get to help put people on tv at events/promotions and look at videos and make edits for changes the production manager may need to make for future shows.

Laura Van De Pette: I just want to know!

Tuesday, February 6, 2007
7:30am – 5:30pm

So I found out today that because we are no longer doing consumer PR for our client, our budget is obviously much less than what it was in December when I was asked to intern through the Spring semester. So I won’t be working on Wednesdays anymore which kind of stinks since I really liked participating in the teleconference with our client. The AE explained that with the addition of Tim, the new account executive, and a smaller budget, the team is being forced to cut wherever possible. I’m disappointed but there is not much I can do.

I also found out from the director of human resources that she will know whether or not I can be hired full-time by April 1. Nancy, the president of PR at Dorland won’t have the staff plan complete till then and won’t know her need for an account coordinator till the plan is finalized. I’m keeping my fingers crossed tight and I’m glad that I’m being kept in mind, but I think the best thing to do between now and then is to apply to several other agencies and keep all options open. I will be so relieved when this whole job process is over with; I just want to have a full-time job so I can stop stressing over it for a little while. It's like being stuck in limbo, I have no idea where I'm going or how I'll end up there, but I know it's going to happen; I just wish it was happening now!

You Have a Lot to Offer - Jillian Milam

When researching the definition of the word intern, one might come across two options, as Dictionary.com defines it. Definition number one: “to restrict to or confine within prescribed limits, as prisoners of war, enemy aliens, or combat troops who take refuge in a neutral country.” Now, as interns or co-ops, we might oftentimes feel like prisoners of war, trapped behind enemy lines, bullets flying over our heads with no escape and no way out - but my guess is that definition number two might be more suitable for our needs right now as college students: “a person who works as an apprentice or trainee in an occupation or profession to gain practical experience, and sometimes also to satisfy legal or other requirements for being licensed or accepted professionally.”

If you are currently an intern or have been researching the possibility of obtaining an internship, then you are already all too familiar with these key words – “to gain practical experience; trainee; accepted professionally.” While we are pointing out the obvious, we might as well say that as interns, our sole purpose during this stage of life is to absorb. We are to act like sponges, if you will, on the lookout for available water (referring to knowledge, to be brutally obvious). We are to soak up that water, or knowledge, whenever we have the chance and take it all in. We are here to learn, to become “accepted” in the professional world.

Although this definition may feel a bit condescending, making interns almost comparable to wide-eyed babies that know nothing but with the help of an internship, we will learn the ways of the world - many of these notions hold much truth and validity – believe it or not. We are here to learn. To observe. To gain knowledge and invaluable experience.

However, one must also keep in mind that as interns, our job is not only to learn – it is also to bring to the table the skills that we have already acquired through our educational backgrounds. I know, I know. It may seem corny; maybe even a little trite. We are just college students. What do we know about the working world? What do we know about the business we want to someday join? What do we have as meager students to contribute? It might be typical to ask ourselves these daunting questions, which is why I want to share with you some words of wisdom I would have loved to have heard as I embarked on my internship journey back in September 2006 – You are smart. You are already successful. Just from college alone, you have gained so much knowledge, so many skills, so many abilities applicable to the professional world, any company would benefit from your presence. You have a lot to offer.

A bit extreme, you might say? Well, not really. At the risk of sounding trite once again, I will say that we Cabrini students are lucky to have a professionally-driven school to prepare us for what really counts – life after college. If you put a good amount of effort into your academics, (keep it up seniors, only three months until graduation!) then you have what it takes to be a successful and contributing intern. Yes, we are here to learn as interns. Yes, we are somewhat like sponges, or wide-eyed babies that need help along the way. But hey, you know what? We are intelligent sponges and babies. We might be mere college students; we might be younger than our soon-to-be co-workers; we might not know everything about the field we are about to join. Even though we might feel a sense of inferiority as interns sometimes, we need to remember that we are valuable. We have fresh ideas and skills that will benefit employers to no end.

So instead of feeling like a trapped POW, using camouflage to blend in, hiding from enemies, trying to dodge the bullets, take a deep breath and go after the internship with all you have. Be confident in yourself and the skills you are capable of bringing to the table. Learn on little POWs, or interns, rather. Learn on and contribute the skills you already possess!