Indiana INTERNnet celebrated internship excellence on February 7, 2018 at the 12th Annual IMPACT Awards Luncheon. Though the event is over and the winners have been announced, we are continuing to celebrate the nominees’ successes.
These are their stories.
Salvador Espinoza is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marketing from IPFW and is expecting to graduate in May 2019.
Indiana INTERNnet: As a Dekko intern for many years, how has your role grown since you first started?
Salvador Espinoza: Over the last several years, my role with Dekko has grown so much. It’s gotten to the point that I don’t even feel like an intern or a co-op student anymore. I really feel like a part of the company. It makes me happy to see projects that I’ve worked on actually be put into action and impact the company in some way.
I quickly went from data entry projects to creating social media strategies, doing market research projects for our products, creating video content, being a spokesperson for the company in many ways and more. The amount of experience I’ve gotten from my role as an intern at Dekko is unbelievable.
IIN: You served as a consultant for the Dekko leadership team. What was that experience like?
SE: It was truly something special. To be able to work with professional leaders in the company and in the industry has been a big privilege. As my internship progressed, every project I worked on has become more involved with the business. It eventually got to the point where the Dekko leadership team would have me do projects that would go straight to them when complete. Their trust and faith in my work is incredible and it’s one of the many things that motivates me to keep doing my best.
IIN: Could you describe your role in the Dekko video series that showcases fellow interns and the internship program?
SE: As a marketing intern, one big project I had was to make an intern vlog series so that any future interns interested in working for Dekko can have a better idea of what to expect and hear from past interns. My main role was to write the storyboards for each video, film, handle the video equipment, edit and get each one ready to publish. From start to finish, I was in charge of the intern videos. It was fun, because I’ve always wanted to be a film director since I was a child!
IIN: You are a previous High School Intern of the Year and multiple-year IMPACT Awards nominee. How has it affected your life?
SE: All of this has made such a huge impact in my life and has definitely helped my future. Growing up, I never thought I would ever be nominated for such a prestigious award – let alone win it in high school. I’m extremely thankful to everyone at Indiana INTERNnet for recognizing interns all over the state.
When I started my very first internship with Dekko, I never thought it would get to this point where I can say I’m an Intern of the Year award winner and nominee. I am truly blessed for it all and hope that others will take advantage of the internship opportunities offered throughout Indiana.
IIN: What are your future plans/career goals?
SE: It’s still hard to believe that I only have one more year of college left, but I plan on sticking around the Fort Wayne area. Upon graduation, I hope to stay on with Dekko and work for them full time in their marketing department. After working for them for so long, I feel like a part of the company and would love to stick around. But I will also look at what else is out there and see what the future holds. Wherever I end up, I hope to be a marketing communications manager or a marketing manager. I’m very excited!
Salvador has been such a critical part of our success at Dekko. He is far more than an intern or co-op. He is an important part of our marketing department!!!! I am thankful for him and his work here at Dekko!