At the Jersey Shore, I know I live in the greatest place in the world. Blocks from the beach, restaurants, concerts–summer is like one long vacation. However, this summer at Semgeeks, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the Jersey Shore is also a great place to work in marketing. My time at Semgeeks introduced me to the marketing community that exists within my own neighborhood.
I spent my summer working within the social and content team of Semgeeks’ marketing department, and I can honestly say that I’ve learned so much. Learning about marketing firsthand is so different than learning about it in a classroom, which makes me even more grateful for this opportunity. By learning skills, strategies, and rules that I have not learned in class, I am receiving a more well-rounded marketing education. While I had some experience with social media marketing, this was my first experience working at a company that is in the business of social media and digital marketing. I really only knew the social media basics, so it was great to explore different platforms and learn about how they work for the clients. Understanding the planning, organization, and creative thinking that goes into content management is a valuable skill that I know will help me in future jobs.
This internship also pushed me outside of my comfort zone in the best way. Interning at Semgeeks, I was treated less like an intern and more like a member of the team. During my three months at Semgeeks, I was able to do real work for real clients. This was one of the most rewarding parts of the summer. I had the opportunity to sit in on meetings, share my ideas, and feel like I was actually working for an agency and not just sitting on the sidelines. I learned not only the importance of social and content marketing, but also how to do it effectively. I loved being able to finally put my degree to work and explore what it is like to work in the professional marketing world.
This summer, Semgeeks hosted the second New Jersey Digital Marketing Conference. This was an exciting project to a part of because it exposed me to the digital marketing community that exists in New Jersey. Having gone to school out of state, I knew nothing, and it was amazing to discover that this hub of technology, marketing, and creativity exists in my own backyard. I loved learning about the individuals and organizations that are shaping an industry I’m so interested in.
As I go back to school for my senior year, I am going to miss being surrounded by people who are just as passionate about media and marketing as I am. At Semgeeks, people are not only really passionate about what they do, but are also eager to share their passion with others, and this makes it a great place to intern. My summer at Semgeeks has been such an eye-opening experience. I learned a lot, not only about digital marketing, but also about myself and my community. I’m really grateful to have had this opportunity, and I know the knowledge I gained over this summer will help me wherever I end up next year.