An Internship May be Your Best Personality Assessment

Entry by Pat Patterson

From the November INTERNnetwork Intern in Action Spotlight.

Determining your future career is no easy task. While personality assessments can be extremely beneficial, practical experience in different industries and jobs may help narrow your choices even more. Just ask Alissa Fricke, a University of Evansville junior who has learned more about her interests and passions through interning.

As a communication student, Fricke first sought work experience to gain knowledge about various careers and boost her future hirability. “I want to be able to set myself apart when I begin job searching,” she remarks.

Since she has always enjoyed traveling, her first internship was with a local Evansville travel agency, where she worked with social networking and other new media marketing. Not completely sold on the travel industry, Fricke’s next internship was with the University of Evansville athletics department, where she helped film, edit and produce the campus’ television show. During her stint there, she realized how much she enjoyed public relations and multimedia production.

This past summer, Fricke was at Mead Johnson Nutrition as a communications intern. She managed external communications through print, audio and video, informing customers and business partners of changes in operations. Many of the skills she acquired related to working in an office setting (e.g., protocol and culture).

In addition to the high-caliber tasks assigned to her, Fricke appreciated the way employees treated her. “Many people didn’t even know I was an intern, and I didn’t feel like one either,” she comments.

Fricke credits the company’s orientation process with playing a role in her successful experience. Prior to beginning work, she shared her interests and goals with her supervisor to help develop a work plan. They then met once every two to three weeks to exchange feedback.

Although she has not yet chosen her desired industry, Fricke has determined through her internships that she wants to work in a communications role emphasizing public relations/advertising and multimedia production.

Her advice to future interns is to make the most out of their experience.

“Go in with full force,” she declares. “Challenge your managers to try new things and don’t be afraid to let your voice be heard.”

Are you an intern in action? We want to hear about your internships! Indiana INTERNnet seeks individuals to feature in the monthly Interns in Action Spotlight. Interns may nominate themselves or be nominated by employers and educators. Tell us your story – contact Pat Patterson at ppatterson@indianachamber.com.