Throughout my college years, I recall one message being drilled into my head repeatedly, “Internships are the Building Blocks of new Careers.” I knew the benefits of an internship on a resume, but when it came time to start applying, I was hesitant. There are so many excuses not to apply for internships. Time constraints, school and personal commitments, and the overall “I’m not ready” mentality all pushed against that reoccurring message. However, in my final semester at UW Green Bay I came to a fundamental conclusion: Universities teach you many of crucial things, but they cannot offer you the real world experience that internships can. Mastering classroom curriculum is one thing, but applying it creates a new stream of challenges that can only be defeated by putting yourself into the real world. Baer’s internship program was ideal for me because it provided the flexibility I needed, as to not neglect other aspects of my life, but pushed me to develop my skills in marketing, communication, and professionalism.
I now understand that the benefits of internships far surpass a line on your resume. My experience with Baer taught me how to apply the skills taught in college, then evaluate and modify them for the needs of actual clients. Instead of fetching Starbucks for the office personnel, I was able to contribute ideas and develop original content. I received an inside look at the details that make marketing campaigns effective, and spent a lot of time learning from the strengths and weaknesses of others through research. In universities, you receive grades according to the strength of your work. With the feedback component of this internship, I was able to develop each assignment until it reached an acceptable level of professionalism. Instead of accepting successes and failures, I modified failures to be successful, and learned from each project. However, the greatest thing that my internship with Baer has taught me is confidence. Through judgment-free feedback and encouragement, I have developed my writing, critical thinking, and research skills profoundly. Although I may not always have the right answers, I know how to approach unfamiliar tasks and think through problems in a real world setting, something that will help me not only in my career, but in everyday life.
Overall, I am grateful to have had this experience. Molly, Jake and Aaron have all been inspirational people to work with. As my internship comes to an end, I am sad to leave, but am excited to apply my knowledge further as I pursue a career of my own in marketing. Thanks you Baer for providing a great experience and for your dedication to my personal development.
