Myth: Interns just grab coffee.

As a recent college graduate and new account coordinator at Crowley Webb, I wanted to reflect on my time as an intern. I had three (yes, three!) internships during my college career, and one of them was with the account service team at Crowley Webb this past spring. It has always been on my career bucket list to work for a full-service advertising agency. The exciting clientele and fast-paced nature of the job has always intrigued me. Going in, I knew the myths that often swirl around what interns do, but I can attest that my experience was far from that.

MYTH: Know your career path before you start.

Truth: Whether you’re into advertising, marketing, writing, video production, or design, there’s no better way to gain exposure to a variety of companies and communication disciplines than working at an agency. The sheer scope of clients at Crowley Webb is expansive, ranging from large corporations to small nonprofits. Crowley Webb embodies the term “hard work” through a fully integrated approach, so there’s always work to be done for our amazing clients.

MYTH: Companies only want interns with experience.

Truth: Believe it or not, your supervisor doesn’t expect you to know everything ! Being an intern is about being a sponge and absorbing all the information that comes your way. It’s admitting that you don’t know it all, but you’re ready to learn and grow as a professional. One piece of advice that served me well as an intern was to always ask questions – it not only shows your interest in the work you’re doing but also proves that you’re eager to learn.

MYTH: Interns are just in-house baristas.

Truth: I believe an internship is what you make it. One thing I’ve learned is to always ask for what you want (within reason). Feel like you could take on more work? Interested in seeing what data analytics is all about? ASK! Most people, especially the people at Crowley Webb, would love to put your enthusiastic mind to work and are willing to show you the ropes.

MYTH: Internships aren’t worth your time.

Truth: A college degree is obviously great, but time in the field is what sets you apart. In my personal life, I often say that I get more satisfaction out of real-life experiences like trips, concerts, or events than I do out of material items. The same goes for my professional life. The more experiences you are exposed to during your internship, the more professional growth you’ll see within yourself.

Finally, internships can turn into real jobs – just look at me!