During my short but impactful time working as a marketing intern at a company based in Shanghai, I gained so much valuable experience in only 5 weeks. I instantly felt as though I was a valued team member and was able to take ownership of several hands-on projects within the first week. The team not only made me feel extremely welcomed but held me to high standards which cultivated an open and growth-oriented environment. As a result, I have gained so many new skills, as well as refined the skills I came in with, resulting in a newfound confidence as I approach future opportunities.
Although I worked from my home about 30 hours a week, the internship was extremely interactive and rewarding. I communicated with my supervisor and Chinese marketing intern daily and was able to navigate the 11 hour time difference, while simultaneously improving my time management skills.
Other than daily meetings, I mainly worked from my own schedule and self managed my daily tasks in order to meet deadlines. My supervisor guided me in discussing what tasks he would like me to work on for the day, but was very flexible and open to how I completed my work. At our daily meetings, we would go over what I had completed that day as well as set goals for the next day and near future, which supported the various projects I took part in. The internship was definitely a fast paced environment and challenged me to prioritize tasks and time manage.
The greatest benefit I took away from the internship was the advantage I now have over other candidates when searching for internships or job opportunities. With this unique line of experience on my résumé, I was able to attract employers which undoubtedly helped me land my upcoming summer internship.
During my interviews, I had countless talking points from the internship that highlighted my skills and portrayed me as a strong potential employee. One of my interviewers actually pointed out that the virtual internship was what stood out to him about my résumé and led him to give me an interview, which ultimately led to an offer. This experience is truly one that can help you set yourself apart when applying for future positions and has so many long term benefits. I can confidently testify that if you have the opportunity to complete an international internship, it will be well worth it in many aspects.