My First Internship Experience!

Choosing Wantedly as my first ever internship was one of the best decisions ever. Hi, I'm Natasha and I'm a Marketing Intern at Wantedly. I was practically bouncing off the walls with excitement, but my stomach was doing backflips at the same time. I had no idea what to expect, but I was determined to make the most of it.

The first few days were a whirlwind of new faces, endless administration, and awkward introductions. But the highlight of the week was undoubtedly meeting my colleagues. They were all so nice and friendly, and I quickly felt like I belonged. I was so relieved to find that there were no scary-looking, intimidating superiors. Instead, everyone was welcoming and supportive.

I was worried I wouldn't be good enough for the job, but my anxiety quickly faded. The team was patient and helpful, and they ensured I was always up to speed. I learned so much during my internship, and I made lifelong friends.

Meeting My Colleagues: A Memorable Experience

The first week was a whirlwind of administrative tasks and learning about the marketing department. I was excited to start, but also a little nervous. The marketing department buzzed with creativity and ambition, and I was eager to get started.

I slowly learned the ropes, and with the support of my colleagues, I gradually found my footing. My favourite hour of the day was lunch hour! It was a perfect opportunity to bond with my colleagues and get to know them better. We talked about everything from our work to our families to our hobbies. Learning about people from different walks of life and age was so much fun.

I had so many interesting conversations during lunch hour. One of the topics discussed was our wild holiday experiences. There were also deep stories, where we shared our pain about our childhood, and the daily inner struggles we had to conquer at work each day. I did not expect to find close friends, but slowly they became my source of comfort at work. We talked about our hopes and dreams, and what we wanted to do with our lives. It was a great way to get to know each other and build relationships.

Some Takeaways From My Internship

The tasks I was given varied in difficulty. At first, they were manageable, but as time went on and more projects were initiated, I was given more workload and responsibilities. This could be overwhelming at times, but with the support of my mentor and manager, I learned how to manage my stress and prioritise my tasks.

One of the tasks I was assigned was to learn how to use Canva to create marketing content. Initially, it was challenging to adapt to the software, but I quickly learned the ropes. I also realised that graphic design requires a lot of creativity. I had to come up with new ideas for different projects, such as articles, banners, and infographics.

Being in a startup environment was great because there were no restraints on how I could produce content. I was able to express my ideas freely and experiment with different techniques. This was a great learning experience, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to have worked on various projects.

An Internship That Was More Than I Could Have Ever Imagined

My internship was more fulfilling than I could have ever imagined. I learned so much about the marketing industry, and I got to put my creativity to the test. I also got to see the impact of my work on the company, which was incredibly rewarding.

One of the most important things I learned was what an actual work environment is like. I had some preconceived notions about what it would be like, but they were all wrong. The reality was much different, and it was a valuable learning experience.

I also learned the importance of creativity in marketing. I had always considered myself creative, but I have yet to realise how important it was in marketing. I got to design eye-catching graphics and write engaging articles, and it was so much fun to see my work come to life.

Finally, I learned the power of storytelling in marketing. I realised that a well-crafted message can resonate with audiences on a profound level. This was a powerful lesson, and it will stay with me for the rest of my career.

The marketing team had these brainstorming sessions where we had to come up with new initiatives and projects.

One of my proudest accomplishments was kickstarting Wantedly's very first podcast, Kaya Toast Chit Chat (KTCC). Through this engaging platform, we delved into many job-related topics, sharing valuable insights and the distinctive "Wantedly way" of doing things. It was truly gratifying to witness how this initiative enabled my colleagues and me to break out of our comfort zones and gain newfound confidence in the spotlight. Collaborating with my co-host, Hui Yi, was an absolute joy, filled with practice sessions full of laughter and amusing bloopers during filming.

Another project I thoroughly enjoyed was revamping the design of Wantedly's weekly round-up, a social media posting featuring spotlighted job positions for our followers to explore. With a keen eye for aesthetics, I aimed to make the design visually appealing while streamlining the format to present information in a concise and reader-friendly manner. By incorporating attention-grabbing hooks, my revamped round-up effectively enticed more potential candidates to apply for jobs through its irresistible appeal.

Perhaps one of the most fulfilling experiences was crafting an article on my personal branding journey as an intern. This piece takes readers through a step-by-step guide, offering invaluable insights into how I established my personal brand and navigated my path towards growth and exciting opportunities. I consider it a true honor to have published this article, as it serves as a beacon of inspiration for ambitious youths, encouraging them to step up and realize their limitless potential.

A Passion Ignited

As my internship drew to a close, I realised that the experience had ignited a passion for marketing within me. The journey had been transformative, and I knew that this was the path I wanted to pursue further. Armed with new skills, knowledge, and confidence, I am excited to see what my future holds. I can't wait to put my skills to the test and make a real impact on the world.