Today marks the last day of my internship.

It still feels a bit surreal.  Driving to work today was strange in itself because I knew this would be the last time I would be commuting this route every morning at 7:30 AM.  During the course of over 10 weeks, I could recall my summer in one word:  busy.

A full-time internship taught me how important it is to manage my time, in and outside the workplace.  This was my first real "big girl" job, where I was given my own cubicle and clocked in a regular 40 hour work week.  It's comical looking back earlier this year at how much pressure I put on myself to find a summer internship.  My internship options was limited due to travel time from my home, and the positions I did apply for got very little response back.

It wasn't until April that I received a call from a Cleveland-based, Fortune 500 company about interviewing for a marketing internship.  And as luck would have it, I was hired and the rest was history.


The internship was an interesting one.  My experience was not what I expected, but valuable no matter how you look at it.  There were good days and bad days- but I walk away knowing a lot more about myself with skills that could be beneficial down the road.

Like other people finishing up their internships, I find myself asking the question, "now what?"

First jobs or internships are important.  They definitely stick with you and set the foundation as you continue to build your career.  Sometimes it's the little things that can make a big difference. Often it's good to take the initiative and not limit yourself.  Your representation of yourself is how your coworkers will perceive you.  The biggest tip I have for people when beginning their first job is to seize opportunities, because you never know where they may lead to.

Here are 5 other key lessons I've learned from being an intern this summer:

Arrive Early, Stay Late
Set yourself apart early on by doing this.  Even if it means going to bed and setting your alarm earlier, it's worth losing an hour of sleep over.  Your boss will admire your dedication to your job and others will too.

Get To Know Your Coworkers
This past summer, I discovered this to be incredibly hard.  My coworkers would typically converse at many meetings they scheduled in during their days, but being an intern I rarely had any meetings.  During a weekly project meeting with my mentor, she mentioned how she wanted me to "get to know the people I work with" which I was not opposed to, but found difficult since none of the other employees spoke to me in general.

Perhaps being the only intern in my department could factor into this, but regardless it's important to make the effort to meet other people.  Wherever you work someday, the people there play a huge role in how much you will enjoy your job.

Learn And Know The Company Culture
Every place has their own way of doing things.  Some job environments are more laid back than others but it's crucial to understand the atmosphere around you to adjust to it.  One of the best parts about an internship is having the ability to experiment with different company cultures.  By experimenting, you can figure out what type of company you would like to work for when looking for a full time job.

For example, my internship this year in comparison to last year's was A LOT more professional.  The dress code was business casual and most face to face interaction was seen as inconvenient to my coworkers.  Instead, we had to schedule meetings beforehand if we wanted to collaborate on a project.  My office was also very quiet.  For the most part individuals kept to themselves and managed their own schedules.

My internship from the year before was very laid back.  We had the option to wear casual clothes everyday and worked very closely with one another because our work spaces were not even 10 feet apart!

Whatever the company culture may be like, remember (to a certain extent) to keep it professional.  You are still an intern- know where you stand and be sure to not cross boundaries with others.

Ask Questions... And More Questions
As an intern, I would advise you to first figure out problems on your own and then ask someone if you need clarification.  But ask questions!  Ask for feedback, ask for more projects, ask people to lunch... everyone would love to be there for you.  Asking questions shows that you are a team player.  They understand you are a newbie and want to be as much use to you as possible.

Stay In Touch
An internship is networking.  During your few months interning, there's a chance you will meet many individuals in the same industry you are in.  Don't be afraid to connect with these individuals on LinkedIn.  Extending that invitation to know each other better is always worth a shot.  They have years of experience on you and most likely know other people they can connect you with if you ask them to.

Stand out even more and give your boss a gift with a thank you note detailing how you grateful you are for having the opportunity to work for them.  In return, I encourage you to also ask your boss to write you a letter of recommendation near the end of your internship.  They hired you for a reason and want to help you succeed.  

So, did this answer your question to, "now what?"

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As previously discussed in my blog, I have been keeping busy this summer with my internship.  In fact. it inspired me to create my blog in order to learn more about my job in digital marketing.  Last week I received an email from the Human Resources manager in charge of my internship program, explaining that we must give a presentation on the summer projects we've accomplished thus far in front of our intern colleagues, mentors and a few members on the executive board for next Tuesday.

With the deadline quickly approaching, I thought it would be a good time to share my advice on public speaking.  To many, I seem like a quiet and shy person.  My introverted personality is noticeable, however, my close friends and family know I love talking- one the reasons why I even started a blog!

When I was younger, giving presentations in class was always nerve racking.  I would be super anxious and worried about making a mistake or embarrassing myself.  It was troubling to talk because I was incredibly shaky which led me to really struggle in finding my voice.

I believe that finding your voice is one of the most important things you can do when doing public speaking.  While a script or note cards can be helpful, it's establishing that confidence that will really propel your overall presentation.

Here are my tricks of the trade that have helped me when crafting a speech or presentation, and maybe they can be of use for you too.  I devised my tips into questions to make things easier.  That way if you're ever lost, you can ask yourself these:

1) What's Your Story?
Storytelling is an easy way to get started.  Everyone loves a good story.  It captures the audience's attention and helpful when weaving main points into your talk.  Brainstorming a story can even aid in helping you begin to create your speech or presentation.  You will not only be inspiring yourself, but others as well.

2)  What's Your Plan?
Once you come up with an idea, now you have to plan it.  Any story must have a beginning, middle and end.  Think about what you need to do get from point A to point B.  List out the information or key points you want to address and then identify where you want to place them in your speech.  Ever since elementary school, I have stuck with the "3" main points rule in my speeches.  I think exceeding 5 main points can sometimes become confusing, so keeping into a minimum will help you effectively communicate your message.

3)  Who's Your Audience?
It's good to distinguish the group of people you will be talking to.  Obviously depending on the group, you will be using different vocabulary or etiquette.  Whomever you speak to, remember to be professional when the occasion arises or more casual during other occasions.  There's always a time and place.  Determining your audience will set the tone for the rest of your speech.

4)  How Many Times Did You Practice?
Because practice makes perfect, right?  I am horrible at this.  What makes me push off practicing is that I justify to myself that by spending hours of planning and preparing my speech, I know my speech so well that I do not need to rehearse it at all.  Wrong.  You can never practice too much.  Practice will build that base for confidence and calm any nerves you may have.  Instead of practicing in front of a friend, record yourself!  Critiquing yourself is how you will better understand your presentation skills and you will be able to see which specific parts you need to work on.

5)  What Are You Wearing?
Presentation is everything.  Let me repeat that, presentation is everything.  It is sad to realize but our society is very shallow- where we judge someone based off their appearance.  Going back to your audience, this will also determine what you should wear for your speech.  For a professional presentation, black slacks or a classic pencil skirt with a button up is a great overall look.  If the atmosphere is laid back, wearing a wrap dress is a nice option.  Keep your footwear conservative by pairing your outfit with black or nude flats.  There is nothing more disastrous if you show up in a bandage skirt or too high of heels.

6)  Did You Breathe?
It's funny how often we can forget to do this during public speaking.  Taking pauses and deep breathing in your speech will make you slow down and feel relaxed.  If you need to, collect yourself for a minute and begin your speech again.  We all need to find own voice, and there could not be a better time to do it than in that moment.

These tips are small, but all relate to finding that confidence or voice you need the next time you need to do public speaking.

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The term "personal brand" is such a new concept but very necessary in order to succeed in today's work force.  Those who are close to me know that I am a huge advocate when it comes to personal branding.  From updating my resumé to building my digital portfolio- these type of things make my heart do a little dance in my chest.


One of the big reasons I enjoy public relations and marketing so much is the branding part of the field.  The intention of portraying a company or organization's message and identity through posters, logos, website content, events, news articles and other outlets is so interesting to me.  And personal branding is all the more worth while.

I am far from an expert when it comes to personal branding- but I have definitely have had my taste of it.  This past year, I came to the realization that many of us tend to shy away from opportunities that help grow our careers because we are either:

A) Unmotivated
B) Scared
C) Do not know what they want to do
D) All of the above

 Even though I love planning, I know that having everything figured out isn't for everyone.  Deciding what you want to do for the rest of your life is daunting, but not something we should be afraid of.  What I do know to be true, is that we will hold a number of job positions until we finally reach our dream career.  So, what do we do in the meantime?  Build a personal brand!  A personal brand is an excellent way to showcase your skills, strengths and interests to those around you.  By creating a strong, personal brand, it will make networking even easier.  You will be able to connect with individuals on a deeper level who can help turn your dream career into something more possible.

Phew- did you make through my rambling?  Well then, now it's time to dive into ten tips I came up with that will help you create your own, genuine personal brand!

Define Your Brand
How would your best friend describe you in three words?  Ever heard of this question?  Take out a piece of paper and write down as many adjectives and words that describe you!  This is a great exercise for future job interviews and a good way to to first begin building your personal brand.  My number tip when doing this is to be original.  Authenticity is very important and allows you to show your true self to others.

Establish Your Long Term Career Goals
I love goal setting.  Mapping out your goals, temporary or long term, is helpful to keep you on track and never lose sight of what you want to accomplish.  I advise in constructing a sheet which lists your current goals and goals in 1, 5 and 10 years.  Some may be asking themselves, what's the point?  The point is, by writing down your goals they will become more instilled in your brain making everything you do worth it.  It will also urge you in take advantage of opportunities that will help accomplish your goals.  Especially in a career sense, planning out those phases to reach your ultimate "dream job" will make the process less overwhelming.

Know Your Strengths & Weaknesses
While we love to rave about our strengths, we also have our weaknesses.  I came across the Myers Briggs personality test from a blog I read and recently took it.  Turns out I am a ESNJ ('the consul') and it was scary how accurate their description of my personality was.  There's a section that reviews your strengths and weaknesses which is convenient; but reviews it in a way on how you can improve or better interact with others despite your weaknesses  Knowing your strengths and weaknesses will put into perspective your options and limitations in the job or real world.  In addition, there's also a career path section which is equally interesting to look at!

Craft Your Elevator Speech

In an Entrepreneurship class I took, this is one of the first activities we have to do in order to introduce ourselves to our peers.  We had 5 minutes to go over the basics such as where we're from, major, work experience, future goals, etc.  You are in fact "pitching" yourself to others which sounds intimating, but narrowing down your elevator speech will make you that much more confident about yourself.  I recommend not writing your speech word for word because it will come off as too rehearsed, but jotting down notes will make it easier to remember certain things the next time you need to "pitch" yourself.

Develop A Strong Social Media Presence
I researched online that 93% of job recruiters will look at a candidate's social profiles.  In addition to keeping your social profiles relevant, it's vital that you also keep it clean.  I believe anyone should go through their social profiles once (maybe even twice) a year to clear out any inappropriate content.  What defines inappropriate content?  Anything that you wouldn't want to your parents or grandparents to see is a better way to put it.  There are several websites now a days that will help you clean up your social media; I recently discovered Rep'nUp but there are a ton of websites that will help you too.  It's free, will go through your profiles and will mark any inappropriate content they found.  Regardless if you're private or public on social media, I highly encourage you go through and audit your posts.

Create A Blog Or Website
Another way to stand out is to create a blog or website.  Think of this as your own digital resumé or portfolio where any one can view your accomplishments, background info and more.  This makes you look so much more professional, and having those skills in website design can attract a lot of recruiters.  WordPress, Weebly or Wix are excellent sites to house your information however, if a website is not manageable for your lifestyle- instead create an About.me page.  It is a single page that gives details about yourself, professional experience- basically your elevator speech but the next time recruiters research you, this extra feature will definitely set you apart from other candidates.

Design A KILLER Resumé
Regardless of the field you're going into- it is always very important to design a good resumé.  My main resumé writing tips are to never have misspellings or grammatical errors, include experience relevant to the job you're interested in and never crowd your content.  Currently, I am in the process of creating 2 resumés (yes, 2!).  One is more creative with design and shows my personality, while the other is a standard black and white version.  Some companies' culture is very different from others- so matching your resumé to fit that is crucial.  Have a friend look over your resumé once you're finished; a second pair of eyes always comes in handy.

Network, Network, Network!
Believe it or not, you're networking all the time.  Every person you meet, you can build some type of connection with- even with a simple "hello."  Something young professionals tend to forget when networking is that people want to help them succeed in their careers.  Joining a young professionals organization or scheduling informational interviews are a few ways to step up your networking game (other than attending networking events).

Be Original
This is straightforward.  Follow your dreams, make them a reality and be true to who you are (as cliché as that may sound).

So, are you ready to launch your personal brand?

*Disclaimer:  Sorry for the length- I felt compelled to write this after a "networking" event I attended during my internship which emphasized networking from within that specific company.  Networking to me means expanding your opportunities in and outside the career world.  NEVER believe you're limited- you can always break down those walls one way or another.

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I find it very difficult to be sitting at my desk and staring at a computer screen all day.  During my job, there is a definite lack in social interaction.  Corporate life can be exciting, but also tiring.  The company I work for has a massive campus holding more than 350 employees and it's easy to get lost- whether that be in the crowd or in the many buildings that are here.


Being the only intern in my department, it's a bit harder to become enthralled with the work I'm given.  There's a number of tedious tasks I complete on a day to day basis and mustering the energy to finish it all can become exhausting.

But as I sit as my desk, wondering how I can improve on this- it occurred to me that I could take this common problem to a blog post which is exactly what I'm doing as we speak!

Before we recoup and relax during this extended holiday weekend I wanted to share some of my tips to help you get through a day in the office.  Having more energy can do wonders for you.  It will improve your productivity and overall attitude.  If you ever start to feel drained while working, hopefully these tips can help perk up your day!

Stretch And Go For A Walk
Take advantage of when you have to get up from your desk and go somewhere.  Moving around definitely helps my mind readjust and lessen tension in my arms or neck from sitting.  If you have the opportunity, I recommend even walking outside.  Getting some fresh air and sunshine can make a big difference, and everyone deserves a change of scenery once in a while.

Organize And Decorate Your Desk
I once saw the phrase "tidy desk, tidy mind" somewhere and I could not agree more with it.  Having a work space that's clean and neat will help you focus more on finishing the tasks you need to complete.  Pictures, plants and posters can brighten your area, making it feel less boring and more like a second home.

Listen To Upbeat Music
While some prefer working in silence, I love listening to a fun Spotify playlist to set the vibe for my work environment.  It helps me get into a groove, and the fast paced music makes me more efficient and productive.

Manage Your To-Do List
You can become burnt out if you continue to work on the same task for more than a couple hours.  Instead, it's good to time yourself for certain items on your to-do list and spreading them out during the day.  I always make a list before I begin anything at work.  Having my schedule at a glance, I then prioritize on what projects need to be completed immediately or gradually.  By prioritizing, you'll feel less overwhelmed and more willing to take control of your work, instead letting it control you.

Limit Your Screen Time During Your Break
We all love catching up with friends and family during our breaks, but sometimes it's okay to put the phone down.  From staring at your computer to then staring at your phone, there isn't much of a difference.  Read a book or converse with your co workers instead, this will be a well-deserved break for your eyes.

Snack Throughout The Day
Believe it or not, snacking is actually good for you.  It curbs cravings, limits hunger and you're less likely to overeat during regular meals.  If you find yourself yawning, it could be because you're hungry, not tired.  Trail mix, KIND bars and popcorn are a few energy boosting snacks to name.  Another easy, healthy snack is almonds.  They provide magnesium which allows us to produce more energy.  For the best energy snacks, focus on the products high in protein and fiber.  These will definitely give you that extra kick you need to keep going.

Take Frequent Computer Breaks
It's recommended you take two 10 minute breaks throughout the day in addition to your traditional break.  It's shown that you should take mini breaks when you're working as well.  For every 15 minutes you look at your screen, look away briefly to a distant scene.  This will allow for the muscles of your eyes to relax therefore becoming less strained.  Looking at a screen can become almost hypnotic and doing these simple exercises will ease the pain of that.

Stay Hydrated
It's important to drink up during the summer, but it's even more important to drink consistently during a work day.  By drinking more water it can reduce and prevent dehydration which can lead to fatigue.  Water is the fuel your body needs to be more alert and energized.



Are YOU ready to take back your work day next week?

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