What company were you an intern at and how did you find out about it?
I was an intern at Plug-In Media, I was notified through Wired Sussex email updates and recommended by a friend who took part the year before. I got an internship as their Sales and Marketing Assistant.
What were the reasons you went for an internship?
I went to a lecture hosted by Wired Sussex with Dominic Minns (AD for Plug-In) who gave a presentation about his company. I found it really inspiring, especially as he talked with great conviction and passion. What the company do is very special and I am always impressed to the level of commitment they have to all their projects. After the presentation I instantly decided I wanted to work for the company and see what it’s like from the inside. I chose a sales and marketing role because I thought one of the main subjects lacking in my Illustration degree was an education in business approaches and promotion. I knew learning these skills from a company I greatly admire would be even more beneficial.
What were your duties and what experience did you take away with you?
My main role at the start was data-basing their client contacts onto an online extranet. Then I began emailing out their press releases and showreel to select companies/individuals to simulate growth and promotion. I also had other roles that included researching about the Olympic mascots as they we’re about to start working on a pitch for the 2012 Olympics. After I finished my internship they offered me some freelance work that involved checking/data-basing web sites for bugs.
Seeing how a professional company operates has given me a great insight. It has boosted my confidence as I have gained lots of industry experience that has strengthened my professional persona. I have started implementing a similar promotion processes that I learnt on my internship for my own illustration work.
What did the internship lead on to afterwards?
Currently I am in process of starting my own small business called Mothership Print Co. that focuses on producing designs for serigraphic printing. Screen-printing is one of my passions and I really want to turn it into my career. I have already undertaken my first commission by using what I learnt at Plug-In and I am in the processes of negotiating my second.
Would you recommend an internship to others?
Yes! For recent graduates it’s a great way to breach the gap into the professional industry, especially. You can learn a lot and it’s a significant first step to developing your career path. It has given me confidence, industry experience and upgraded my C.V.
Read more Intern Stories...