An Internship That Was More Than I Expected

Starting any new job can be intimidating because of the many unknowns that come with it. Before starting my Communications internship with RESPEC, I had plenty of questions: How would I contribute? Who was I going to work with? Would I be able to meet the expectations? I am happy to say that, although they seemed big at the time, these concerns resolved quickly as I settled into my role on the Communications team. I initially assumed that I would primarily work on social media, but I quickly discovered that my role would involve much more. Along with social media tasks, I also had the opportunity to lead projects that honed my skills in communication, content development, and building relationships.

Learning to Take Ownership

As my internship progressed and my skills developed, I began taking ownership of projects, leading conversations, and becoming a resource for members across the company. This led me to take on several projects that directly impacted employees’ knowledge and internal communication. Throughout these projects, I partnered with a variety of groups across RESPEC, including RESPEC’s Leadership Class, leaders from People & Culture, and members from the Marketing team. I worked closely with each group to create intranet pages designed to increase employees’ understanding of the company’s markets while also building awareness of available resources. Throughout this work, I learned how much thought goes into organizing information for an audience and creating resources that employees can easily understand and use.

Understanding Communications Differently

By contributing to these projects, I gained a new perspective on communication. My transition from the classroom to a corporate environment taught me that learning doesn’t stop when you leave school. Although courses provide valuable knowledge and frameworks, the workplace offers opportunities to apply those lessons in meaningful ways. Through hands-on experiences, I learned that communication is about much more than talking. It starts with listening, understanding different perspectives, and uncovering stories that matter. Throughout my internship, I saw firsthand how effective communication can truly connect people.

Learning From People Across RESPEC

One of the most rewarding parts of my internship was the opportunity to learn from people across RESPEC. I found that some of the most meaningful lessons came from conversations with employees throughout the company. Conducting interviews quickly became one of my favorite aspects of the internship because it gave me the chance to hear people explain their work, share their experiences, and offer perspectives I may not have encountered otherwise. Interviewing interns across the country was especially rewarding because I was able to hear how their experiences differed while recognizing many of the same themes in my own internship: feeling supported, being trusted with meaningful work, and being encouraged to ask questions.

What I’m Taking Away

As I return to school this fall, I do so with much more than new technical skills. I am leaving this internship with valuable relationships, a broader understanding of communications and marketing, and experience taking ownership of meaningful projects. My biggest takeaway and advice to any other intern is that you don’t have to know how to do everything when you start. Technical skills and tools can be learned. What matters is being curious, having the confidence to ask questions, and taking the initiative to embrace new challenges.

Interested in learning more about RESPEC’s internship program? Visit our Internships page to see how we’re developing the next generation of talent.