Experience produces lifetime internship advocate

Over the 17 weeks as a marketing intern for Indiana INTERNnet, I found my stride in helping the small nonprofit achieve its mission of connecting interns and employers throughout the state.

Not surprisingly for an organization that promotes internships, Indiana INTERNnet knows how to provide an excellent experience for its intern. I managed its social media networks, approved employers registering to use its services and generated blogs about internship topics. All of these tasks bolstered my résumé and upped my odds of landing my dream job.

On Facebook and Twitter, I shared materials on interns, internships and job search tactics such as cover letter and résumé writing. I posted Indy-related photos to Instagram and wrote a weekly announcement on LinkedIn. I measured Indiana INTERNnet’s success through web analytics and generated a weekly social media report for the staff. I grew from a clumsy social media novice to a skillful knowledge-sharing ace, and I am grateful.

A project I thoroughly enjoyed was documenting my walk from parking garage to office. The sidewalks of downtown Indianapolis provided ample images worthy of posting to Instagram. I linked the photos of artwork and architecture to Indiana INTERNnet through the common denominator of learning. Internships and the hashtags #bigcitywalk and #learnerforlife share the belief that education is vital, even while walking to work.

Another highlight was writing a Bicentennial article for BizVoice, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s business magazine. The piece previewed WFYI’s efforts to turn Indiana historian James Madison’s book, “Hoosiers: A New History of Indiana,” into a four-part documentary to be aired on PBS starting next spring. I received the privilege of interviewing Madison, as well as WFYI producers.

I met the Chamber’s communications team, and they shared some social media hacks. An unexpected bonus of the internship was eating leftovers from conferences hosted by the Chamber, which I might add, knows a thing or two about serving excellent eats.

Although my time here is coming to an end, by no means is this a final farewell. The Indiana INTERNnet experience has forever changed the way I view internships. I vow to continue promoting their value.