Internship: A Gateway to greater things

Digital has opened up a host of opportunities for those brave enough to put themselves out there. This has made interning a gateway to even greater things.

 

Just ask Laura T, one of cLAB’s latest interns. She’s managed to turn a short stint into a long-term position. After choosing us as the agency for her internship, she got a taste of the atmosphere we’re known for. Laura showed us that she shares our #SKD attitude. This was clear in her commitment to innovation, a hunger to better herself and the drive to deliver for our clients. Now, she’s part of the media team that handles some of our biggest accounts.

 

We threw a few questions Laura’s way.

cLAB: Why us?

Laura: I wanted to experience an agency environment for myself. cLAB’s has a hugely impressive list of brands that are household names such as Environ, Varsity College, Inecto, Renew, aQuelle, Dunlop and of course Vega!

cLAB: How was the internship experience overall?

Laura: The internship experience was beyond my expectations. I was able to take in so much from my time as an intern. Everyone at cLAB is so inviting and friendly, so it was easy for me to fit in. I was placed in the media department. Here, I had a great mentor who taught me a lot. You could say that they helped ignite my passion for paid media. This is something that many interns don’t realise. Whilst you’re interning, something might just click and you’ll go, “oh, this is what I love doing!”

cLAB: Why do you think you turned an internship into a full-time position?

Laura: cLAB is an incredible place to work. I could see that when I was interning. A short stint here was enough for me to realise that I wanted in on a full-time basis. By giving 100% to the work assigned to me I was able to show my work ethic. I also tried to learn and do as many courses as possible to expand my knowledge. (Something that cLAB helped me do as they offer free courses to their employees so that they can better their skills).  I like being busy so I am able to work well under pressure. This helped me prove myself as an asset to the agency where deadlines need to be met.

cLAB: Any advice for those looking to secure an internship?

Laura: There’s so much you can do but for me, it boils down to these things:

• Showcase your work and achievements.
• Work hard.
• Never stop setting goals.
• Be confident.

cLAB: Any advice for interns wanting to convert their internship into a full-time position?

Laura: This is crucial as many interns don’t realise the opportunity they have until they’ve wasted it. I say:

• Put in the hours: it’s how you prove yourself.
• Be committed beyond the “8-5”: deadlines are deadlines. If you’re not finished, then stay.
• Knowledge is infinitely powerful: do as many courses as possible and invest in yourself.
• Be part of the team: If you want to go fast go alone. If you want to go far, go together.
• Have respect for everyone: there’s nothing cooler than getting on with the people at the office. It’s like having a second family.

Talent knows no age

By investing in the up and coming, we can help young, hungry people do incredible things in this industry. We wish Laura all the best and we can’t wait to see what she does within her department. If you’re looking for an internship, now’s your chance! Let’s chat and see if you’re a good fit for cLAB.