Bobbie Stein, YCL Marketing Intern Summer 2019
When I was looking for an internship for college,
I was nervous. As I was searching for an internship, I would read over the descriptions and feel as though I would never be able to get one. I felt I wouldn’t do well at an internship because I lacked the knowledge to be successful and had zero experience in marketing. (Yes, I know this is why internships exist—to get experience. I was still nervous!)
My professors also kept asking questions that I couldn’t answer:
“What are your plans with marketing?”
I’m not sure. I need experience because I’m not entirely sure what companies want from me.
“What kind of business are you looking to be a part of?”
A company that helps people somehow?
“Why?”
There’s a lot of negative things happening in the world. I want to create and see more positive experiences that make the world a better place.
“What would you like to get out of your internship?”
Experience. It’s how I learn best.
The questions kept coming and I continued feeling more clueless—more uncertain about what I wanted for the future and where I wanted to go. Even with all of that going on, I kept searching for the right internship. I came across a listing for a Marketing Intern position at York County Libraries.
Hmm… Libraries are filled with knowledgeable and helpful people who are looking to better their community. I decided to apply because it seemed like the best choice. It lined up with what I knew I definitely wanted from an internship or job, and I am really glad that I did. The experience that I have gained has allowed me to feel confident as I go into my senior year of college and begin the job search.
My first day was overwhelming, in the best way.
Everyone was super friendly and wanted to help me in any way they could. That never changed. Any questions that I had for anyone, they were quick to assist me. They all gave me greater insight on different areas within marketing.
The tasks that I was assigned were marketing related and I was thrilled to jump into them. The people that I worked with have a passion for their work and believe in doing what they can for the community. I felt that similar drive as I worked on my assignments. I learned to manage my time wisely, as I had to create personal deadlines to work on multiple projects at once. As I wrote blogs, I needed to make sure that my writing skills and style matched those of York County Libraries.
I have been welcomed and encouraged to ask questions, even if they were not directly related to my tasks, in order to further my knowledge. The answers I received will help me as I search for a marketing position post-graduation.
York County Libraries has expanded my knowledge of marketing greatly. This experience has allowed me to gain skills that I can use as I continue my career. YCL has given me confidence in what I would like to do with my career—which every person should get from an internship.
Bobbie Stein, YCL Marketing Intern Summer 2019
See one of Bobbie’s projects here: Insight for Educators, Summer 2019 edition
Find out more about volunteer, job, and internship opportunities with York County Libraries by clicking here: Careers at YCL