What new skills are you acquiring?

     I have been at my marketing internship for close to two weeks at this point.  The things that I am learning and the skill that I am acquiring are incredible.  I have learn the process from when they open a job to when it is sent to the printer, and I have had the privilege of working on some of these jobs for the marketing department.  In fact, this past week I was able to communicate through email with one of the clients, sending them their proofs and emailing back and forth receiving changes and making edits until we get the okay to send the project to the printer.  I have learned skills that make working with InDesign easier to complete the task at hand.  I also have learned the process required to make sure the printer for each project gets their pay.  In addition, I have helped the marketing department in taking our social networking to the next step, and given them ideas, and help start placing these ideas in action for the upcoming school year.  In general, I have also begun to acquire the skills needed to work in a professional environment.  These skills include everything from what to wear, how to act, and sending professional emails to clients.  I believe, these are some of the greatest skills I have been able to acquire so far, because they are skills I will be able to use in any working environment.

     The article we were required to read this week focused on asking questions.  As an intern I believe that is the best thing we can do, because that is how we learn.  I know that I have made sure to ask questions, and give input when I felt it was appropriate.  I completely agree with the article and how it stresses for interns to ask questions.  I also believe this article has given be a great idea of how phrase and ask questions without being so blunt about the point I am trying to get across all of the time.

     After only two I feel that I have learned so much, and this internship is far surpassing my expectations thus far.

Hours Worked:
Monday 9am-1pm
Tuesday 9am-1pm
Wednesday 9am-4pm
Thursday 9am-1pm
Friday 9am-1pm

My expectations and what I hope to learn

     My co-op experience has been great so far, and I have not even been there a full week.  I hope, and expect that through fulfilling this co-op requirement I am able to gain a better prospective of what I can do in the future with my skills and abilities.  I also hope to gain a better prospective of what it is like to work in a professional environment.  Before starting my internship in the marketing department, I fulfilled my work-study hours with them.  As a work-study student, I did not really view the marketing department in the same light that I do now that I am interning with them, I now see what they do on a day to day basis, rather than when I would only go there for six hours a week.  I believe that this experience will also help me gain outside contacts, because business is really all about whom you know.  If I am unable to gain the prospective of what I can do in the future and what it is like to work in a professional environment, then I believe that I have failed at making the most of this experience.

     I expect to learn what ever they are willing to teach me.  The marketing department handles most of the major publications and even the minor publications that the university produces.  Before starting my internship, I knew the software they use to create their publications.  Even though I know the software, you can never stop learning, and I have already learned more things, and simpler ways to complete tasks than I knew before.  I expect and hope that I can learn all of the steps, and see a project through from start to finish in this internship.  The staff at the marketing department has been very helpful, and I feel that moving forward I will learn more than expected from everyone who works in the department.

     I look forward to what is to come in these next six weeks with the marketing department, and cannot wait to see where this new adventure in my life takes me.

Hours Worked:
Monday 9am-1pm
Tuesday 9am-11pm
Wednesday 9am-2pm
Thursday 9am-1pm
Friday 9am-1pm