Thoughts of an Intern
Hi!
My name is Estera and I would like to welcome you to my first blog which will provide you with an insight into my experience with the Yellow Cherry Digital team as a marketing intern. Let me begin with some more information about myself;
I am just about to step into the third year of my degree with specialisation in Business Enterprise and Marketing at the Strathclyde Business School in Glasgow. My interest in this field sparked when I was a child, roaming around my grandparents shop, looking up to (what then seemed to be) large scales and a cashing machine. I also recall attending fairs with my mum at the age of six and assisting her in selling products as well as enjoying earning my first wages. I became confident in knowing this is the path I would like to follow at my secondary school, when I took an elective class of Business Edge, in which we had to produce, promote and sell goods. Just before University, I began to work as a social media manager for a local business which made me realise that marketing is a particular subject of interest and knew that I want to continue developing my knowledge further.
Searching for opportunities to develop
I took up my first employment at the age of fifteen which allowed me to advance on skills of communication, team work and most importantly customer-service. I have also added to my work experience by taking up several volunteering roles. I have discovered opportunities towards self-development as a student, as in the first year, I became a class representative for the year in my core class. In the second year, I became a committee member of an Economics society as the Head of Marketing which led to another prospect – becoming the Strathclyde Head of Sales for the Scottish Economics Conference and furthermore a student ambassador for the Asia Scotland Institute.
As the 18/19 academic year came to an end and summer began, I decided to continue to be active. It was my goal to find a place where I can continue learning, face challenges, find a mentor and meet like-minded people – I have found exactly that, here at Yellow Cherry Digital.
Why Yellow Cherry Digital?
Yellow Cherry Digital caught my attention upon researching the available marketing agencies in Inverness mainly due to the modern approach they have towards their own advertising of services which can be recognised from their social media to their official website – it speaks for itself and demonstrates professionalism. The highlighted team members on the website appeared to me as positive, interesting and experienced individuals from which I could most definitely take an example. Not to mention, the online portfolio absolutely impressed me!
My expectations of the internship
Before hearing a response from Sarah, the Managing Director at Yellow Cherry Digital, I was imagining that the internship would provide me with the opportunity to demonstrate the gained knowledge from University by assisting in tasks, shadowing a mentor and practicing what I have learned “on the go”. I was pleasantly surprised when I received an email titled “work experience” informing me that there was capacity at the agency to offer me a work placement. What is more, particularly asking about which skills I am keen to progress!
The internship thus far – it is so much more!
16th of July was the first day of my internship and it was not like I expected it to be, it was a lot better;
It is 10am, I arrive to the office and several minutes later, I am overseeing the managing director and the account executive in a meeting with a client!
Before then however, along with the team, we were given the opportunity to get familiar with the product mainly discussed on the day.
Do you see what I mean when I said I had the impression of the team members being positive?
Rocking on my first day with the Yellow Cherries!
I was really happy that I had the opportunity to offer an idea during the client meeting which was accepted and later involved me in further research and writing a report.
On the very first day, I was also assigned a task to assist Ruairidh who is responsible for the graphic and website design, in completing mock up’s which display completed projects for clients. It involved the use of Adobe Photoshop and websites which I will return to regularly. My excitement for another day at Yellow Cherry Digital continued to grow as I could see what activities are planned ahead in my diary and almost every day, engages me in doing something I have not done before!
Up to this point, I was very pleased to take part in Google Ads and WordPress workshops hosted by Sarah for the YCD’s clients on several occasions, specifically because I later had to use these management tools to complete my tasks which made me understand the importance in the ability to operate them for successful digital marketing strategy and monitoring. Only in the upcoming third year of my studies, I will theoretically widen my knowledge in this area however I believe it will be very rewarding to already have a practical insight from the internship. My knowledge of social media was positively put to the test when I had been asked to assist in introducing the widely known platform – Instagram, for business. Seeing that the clients had understood all the available functions was truly gratifying. I am also continuously given the opportunity to develop on my writing skills as I am encouraged to produce posts for the Yellow Cherry social media pages.
Would I recommend Yellow Cherry Digital for a summer placement to other students ?
Absolutely. Do not be afraid to take up opportunities which will benefit your self-development. The team at YCD is very welcoming, helpful, ambitious and here to assist when you need guidance or mentorship.
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