From verifying identities to discovering my own professional identity, my second summer internship at Vouched, a digital identity verification (IDV) company, has been nothing short of transformative. In this post, I’ll share the key experiences and lessons that have shaped my professional outlook.
Last summer, I interned at Vouched on the marketing and sales team, conducting market research, creating internal newsletters, and helping produce our first brand video. This experience enhanced my skills in data analysis, market research, and project management. My enthusiasm for Vouched's dynamic environment motivated me to return for another summer. Here are three key lessons I learned.
Lesson 1: The Power of Effective Communication
Effective communication is crucial in any professional setting, and my internship experience provided numerous opportunities to develop this skill. Engaging in meetings with our marketing agency and Google representatives, as well as ongoing communication with my team, taught me several valuable lessons.
Responsiveness
Timely communication in ongoing discussions was vital for maintaining project momentum. Promptly responding to messages and following up on action items showed reliability and ensured smooth collaboration. For example, when coordinating a marketing campaign, quick and efficient communication in our agency’s project management tool, Kantata, helped resolve issues swiftly and kept the project moving forward.
Proactive Communication
I learned the value of proactive communication in resolving conflicts. By anticipating and addressing issues early, we maintained smoother workflows and stronger relationships. Regular updates on progress and potential roadblocks in our chats with the agency helped tackle challenges collaboratively and keep projects on track.
Professionalism
Interacting with external partners like Google reps highlighted the importance of professionalism. Being respectful, prepared, and courteous helped build positive relationships. In one meeting, presenting myself professionally and asking informed questions led to valuable insights for our Google ad strategy.
Lesson 2: Strategic Marketing Development
Crafting Impactful Marketing Campaigns
During my internship, I developed and implemented marketing strategies, including crafting LinkedIn posts for national observances. This involved creating compelling imagery, writing impactful social copy, and drafting creative briefs to ensure engaging campaigns. Each piece of content was designed to resonate with our target audience and reflect the significance of the observance.
Data-Driven Marketing Insights
I played a key role in reviewing ad performance data in Google Ads and LinkedIn to gauge the effectiveness of our campaigns. Analyzing these metrics helped me understand what works and what doesn't. I also became familiar with each platform's resources. By targeting various audiences, I observed that certain ads perform better in different industries. This data-driven approach was crucial in creating a robust sales and marketing strategy aligned with our goals and audience.
Lesson 3: Professional Growth and Mentorship
This summer, I grew exponentially as a professional, thanks to my wonderful mentor, Sharon. Since we met last summer at Vouched, she has been consistently thoughtful and helpful.
Guidance and Motivation
Sharon greatly contributed to my professional development this summer. In daily standups, she explained the purpose of my tasks and their benefits to the company, which motivated me. When organizing ad performance data, she clarified our objectives, making the work feel valuable and encouraging me to complete it.
Learning Through Involvement
Sharon involved me in various meetings, exposing me to operations and communication skills. For example, a product development meeting showed how our product meets customer needs through collaboration. This experience highlighted the value of cross-functional knowledge in enhancing job performance.
Favorite Project: Deepening Understanding Through National Healthcare Observances
My most meaningful project this summer involved engaging with national healthcare observances. This allowed me to deepen my understanding of critical health issues and contribute to meaningful discussions, particularly during National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month.
Learning and Contribution
Researching various observances deepened my grasp of their significance and how they relate to broader health and societal challenges. This experience was enlightening, particularly my learnings about the disparities in mental health care. I learned how innovative solutions, like those we develop at Vouched, can play a crucial role in improving healthcare access for underserved communities.
Developing Skills and Sharing Insights
Creating content for these observances challenged and rewarded me, pushing me to develop clear, empathetic communication strategies and critically consider our messaging's impact. Sharing insights on LinkedIn allowed me to participate actively in broader conversations about mental health, especially concerning minority communities. The positive feedback from our audience was incredibly affirming and highlighted the value of engaging thoughtfully.
Check Out Our Work
Our posts for National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month reflect our commitment to inclusivity and health equity. I invite you to view them on the Vouched LinkedIn page and join the conversation.
Three Key Lessons for Future Interns
Now that my second summer at Vouched is almost coming to an end, I have three key lessons that every intern should consider.
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Always ask questions: If you encounter a problem while working, try troubleshooting simple issues yourself. If I struggled with a task, I used resources like ChatGPT to gain a better understanding. For more complex problems, reach out to colleagues, as it's better to ask questions and ensure the task is done correctly.
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Speak up in meetings: Your perspective is valuable. As an intern, I hesitated to share my thoughts, fearing mistakes. However, I learned that speaking up is important because my input offers fresh insights. Even mistakes show engagement and care. Interns should voice their opinions to counter group-think and contribute significantly to discussions.
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Plan Your Day: Organizing your tasks at the start of the day can reduce stress and boost productivity. Without structure, I felt overwhelmed by multiple tasks. After I began planning and prioritizing my tasks, my days became more relaxed, and I became more effective at work.
Final Reflection
Reflecting on my second summer at Vouched, this internship has been an evolutionary experience. I gained valuable insights into effective communication, especially around sensitive topics, and developed robust marketing strategies. The hands-on experience with social media, ad analytics, and thought leadership content significantly broadened my marketing knowledge.
Sharon's mentorship played a crucial role in my growth, helping me navigate challenges and understand the broader impact of my work. This internship has solidified my career goals in marketing, equipping me with the skills and confidence to pursue this path.
I highly recommend seeking internships to apply your knowledge, gain practical skills, and connect with industry professionals. If you have any questions about my experience or need advice on internships, feel free to reach out, you can reach me on LinkedIn. I'm happy to help you on your professional journey.