In line with our mission of Together, We Build Careers, the G-W summer internship program offers students a chance to gain experience, build skills, and get an inside look at the world of educational publishing. If your students had summer internships, share this blog’s framework with them to create a presentation about their own experience or have them write up a summary of the highlights of their internship. Both could be used to build their portfolio!
Internships give applicants a leg up, proving they can succeed in the shop, the clinical site, or the office. Many internships require students to practice communication, time management, and self-governance that can’t be replicated in a classroom. One great option for a summer internship is here at G-W, in the editorial, digital media, and marketing departments. As the company expands, the G-W interns have a chance to help it grow, taking on responsibilities that make a notable impact. For example, as the current market development intern, I had the opportunity to write this blog post!
Sometimes, an internship can even turn into a full-time job. In fact, two former G-W interns have returned as full-time employees: Josh Carlson as the Market Development Specialist and Luke Cummins as the Market Development Coordinator. As I’ve worked with Josh and Luke this summer, they’ve given me valuable insight into my own future career path and how to take what I’ve learned during my internship into my academic and professional life. Together, we’re happy to share our unique experiences as G-W interns.
1. Find the Best Internship for YouWhy did you pick G-W for your internship?
Josh: Exposure to a wide range of responsibilities.
The role seemed very interesting and collaborative. I could see that it would expose me to a variety of marketing roles. I helped the marketing team with different tasks—industry analyses, email campaigns, and proofreading.
Luke: The hands-on experience.
I applied all over the board but I thought G-W would give me the best experience that I could take with me. I just liked it here so much that I came back.
Anna: Ties to my interest.
I’ve always been interested in creative writing, so even though I’m a business major, I loved the idea of interning at a publishing company. I also appreciated that my interview with Josh and Abby felt more like a casual conversation. That alleviated a lot of my anxiety. The way they described the company culture bumped G-W into my top choice for the summer.
What was your favorite part of the G-W internship?
Josh: My favorite part was working for a company that has such a great culture. I also really enjoyed the department overviews every week, because you get to learn all the different aspects of the company. One person from every department gives you an overview of what they do and how it impacts your role.
Luke: Coming to a smaller company, you get a lot more hands-on experience than you would at other companies. I got to create videos, write emails, do social media, and do market development. It was pretty neat.
Anna: The culture at G-W is so friendly. During our HR orientation, we were encouraged to make friends with the other interns, and now we have a group chat and follow each other on social media! Everyone is always so helpful and willing to answer questions, so I never felt nervous asking for help with anything.
2. Make the Most of Your Internship
What Advice Do You Have for Future Interns?
Josh: You don’t need to know everything. The point of an internship is to get you that experience. They want to teach you, and they want to make sure you learn.
Luke: Go above and beyond your role. If you take the initiative on projects and you’re friendly to people and see how you can help them, that sets you up for success. Also, dress for the job you want, not the job you have. Carry that extra confidence.
Anna: Say yes to everything you have time for. Don’t overexert yourself, but working on a lot of different projects is much more fun (and better for your resume!) than doing the same tasks with the same people every week. In addition, if you work with other interns, befriend them! It’s great to have a group of people you can get lunch with or reach out to when you have a question.
3. How to Get Hired After the Internship
Abby, Sr. Product Marketing Manager: As a hiring manager, it’s almost impossible to be 100% certain that a new hire will be able to do everything you ask and fit in well with the rest of your team. That's why it's nice to hire a proven intern. When I hired Josh and Luke for their full-time roles, I already knew they would be accountable for the key tasks of the job, because they proved they could as interns.
Here are some tips that might help you turn an internship into full-time employment:
• In team meetings, offer up your ideas.• Ask for feedback on projects you submit or tasks you complete.
• If you love your internship and value the company you work for, tell your manager. For entry-level roles, managers want to know that their employees will be happy doing their work and are excited to grow into more senior roles in their organization.
• Give your manager your contact information and stay in touch after your internship, sharing your future plans and successes. If you make yourself a ready player for their team, they may advocate for a role for you.
Good luck to your students as they build their careers!
Follow G-W on LinkedIn for future internship opportunities and to learn more about our skills-based resources for Career and Technical Education and Health and Physical Education. Together, We Build Careers!
Photo Credits:
Thumbnail: Courtesy of Anna Sokolowski
Image 1: Courtesy of Anna Sokolowski
