It is so hard to believe my time at UVA Credit Union is coming to an end. In a few short weeks, I have had the opportunity to gain practical skills while applying what I learned in many of my marketing classes. I have been able to utilize Google Analytics to provide recommendations for website updates while also conducting research on best practices for social media marketing. My internship has also taught me a lot about time management. During my first few weeks, I was a little worried that I may not be able to complete all of the tasks I was assigned. However, having been very involved on campus, I was able to manage my time among the various projects effectively.

My internship has also taught me never to underestimate the value of having a strong work ethic. I was worried about not necessarily know all of the skills I would need to be effective in my internship. I did not want that to get in the way of me performing to the best of my ability. Even if we do not know all of the time, I learned it is valuable to exceed and do well in the areas that we do know.

When I declared my majors in management and marketing sophomore year, I knew I was interested in both management and marketing, but I was not exactly sure which path I wanted to follow after graduating. This internship has solidified my interest in marketing. Marketing is such an exciting industry to be involved in: from data analytics to strategy to design, there are many different aspects of the industry to explore. Marketing is always changing with new technologies and different ways to reach audiences. Marketing today is not the same as it was five or ten years ago, and it will not be the same five or ten years in the future. I am excited to explore more of these areas after I graduate, and find the one that best matches my interests.

For any student interested in pursuing a career in business, I would highly recommend finding a summer internship program to participate in. Although many take advantage of internships after their junior year, gaining experience with companies after sophomore year can be very valuable. I would also tell students to fully engage in any internship experience they are a part of. Go the extra mile when working on projects, ask your boss questions about the company, and learn as much as you can during your internship experience. These steps will expand your knowledge about the inner workings of the business and their industry. In return, going above and beyond positions you as a potential employee eager for new opportunities.