Michael Francisco Explains How to Make the Most of Your Internship Experience

Since January, I have been a marketing intern at 898 Marketing. The experience is one that I am extremely grateful for and one I will cherish forever. I’ve learned more than I ever imagined, made valuable friendships, and was able to take advantage of the opportunity that was given to me. With all of the knowledge I acquired in a short amount of time, (I still have so much more to learn too) I wanted to help future interns by giving a few tips on how they can take advantage of the opportunities given to them. 

Be a Sponge 

This one is a no brainer. But sometimes I found myself focusing too hard on making sure the task at hand was done correctly and on time rather than focusing on the lesson being taught while I was completing the task. It is much more beneficial to take your time and learn, as well as doing a great job on whatever task you are taking on. 

Soaking up knowledge is not just about doing work. It’s also listening and taking in everything around you. There’s a morsel of knowledge in every conversation going on, so listen! You might pick up something you never thought of or something that can better yourself from a work, professional, or personal standpoint. An internship is about bettering yourself in all aspects, not just your skills, so this is probably the most important tip. 

Ask Questions 

898 Marketing is a very creative place so questions are always being asked and answered in many different ways. Listening is important, but speaking up is a great thing to do as well. Everyone around me was in their position for a reason: they’re all fantastic at their jobs. It would be a waste of time to not ask questions because it’s a direct way to get valuable knowledge from people who were in very similar positions at one point in their lives. Learning about your field of study, what makes a person good at what they do, or asking questions to see how someone is thinking, are all great ways to learn from your peers. And don’t ever feel like you’re asking too many questions (I often felt like this at times). You won’t get better at what you do, if you don’t ask them. 

Have Fun

While an internship is a great way to get experience and learn about your field, it’s always a good idea to have fun. Don’t be super serious about your work or it will become just work. You chose your field of study and applied for the internship for a reason. If it becomes a drag or feels like real work, then you might need to take a step back. Remind yourself why you’re there: to learn, to get experience, and to enjoy yourself! Every job comes with stress and pressure, but it should never surpass the satisfaction and joy you get from the work you’re doing and the people you’re around. 

898 is truly an eye-opening experience to what life after college can be like. I learned more than I ever imagined I would in such a short amount of time by soaking in all that I could and asking more questions than may have been necessary. I made friendships I see lasting much longer than the duration of the internship by having more fun than I thought I would in an office. And I was able to take full advantage of a great opportunity that was given to me.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michael Francisco is currently a Social Media Intern at 898 Marketing.  As an intern, Michael is gaining valuable experience with social media strategy and management, creative concepting, research, market analysis, video production and effective account management and presentation skills. Michael is a native of Youngstown, Ohio, and an Advertising and Public Relations student at Youngstown State University, where he will earn a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.