Intern—a mystery-cloaked word we hear constantly throughout college, and in popular culture through hit movies like The Internship and The Intern. While a job requiring getting coffee for everyone in the office and getting paid next to nothing (or, quite literally, nothing), comes to mind, we wanted to explore what it really means to be an intern. We already take you into the morning and nightly routines of successful women, and into the day-to-day jobs of employees across the country. Now, say hello to Intern Diaries. Below, a twenty-one-year-old intern working at a media company tells us about her experience.
Age: 21
City your internship took place: Philadelphia, PA
Industry: Media
Internship Title: Marketing Intern
Salary: $17/hour
Duration: 6 months
What does your internship title mean?
I work closely with the marketing team for the program I work on. This entails being part of all of the marketing activities, whether it’s advertising, outreach, or anything the marketing department does.
Were you close with any of your team members?
I was close with all of them! Our team was very close-knit and did everything together. They inspire me because they work so hard every day and exemplify truly amazing work ethic.
What were your favorite parts of the role and why? 
I liked really being in the thick of marketing for the company and learning SO much!
What was your morning routine? 
I had to be at work at 9am, so I would try to wake up at 7am or 7:30am. Sometimes, if I needed more sleep, I’d wake up at 8am and hustle a little faster.
What was the most shocking thing that happened during your internship? 
I dropped a chocolate popsicle on my shirt at the CEOs house during an intern mixer! It was so embarrassing!
What did your evening look like after work? 
I would always leave at 5pm, because I was billed hourly, so my manager made sure that I never worked more than 40 hours a week. Usually, I would make dinner at home, and sometimes hang out with friends. I always tried to go to sleep early because I never wanted to be tired at work.
What were the coolest perks of this internship? 
I got to travel to New York, and fly to New Hampshire and Florida during my time there. It was so exciting!
What is the most important thing that you learned in this position? 
Always think of the customer. If you’re working on something, no matter how fantastic or beautiful it is, if your customer and your end user isn’t ready for it, it won’t work. Think of your end user, not of yourself.
Would you work for this company if they offered you a position? 
I definitely would! It was an amazing experience.