I have been interning here at the digital marketing and creative agency Green Closet Creative in Sycamore, Illinois, for the past few weeks, and the experience has been invaluable. I am studying marketing at a university in Oklahoma, where I’m about to start my Junior year, and my professors have emphasized the importance of finding an internship before jumping into an industry career.
Walking into the office that first day, I was quite curious how the next months would unfold for me. I like to say that I am a natural optimist, so I was genuinely excited for the opportunity to intern at a firm over the summer. Keenly aware of my need for real-world experience in marketing, I was greeted by quite a few smiling faces. The employees in the office welcomed me warmly and set me up at a desk, where I was soon happily situated and ready for the day.
After a meeting with Darby Dwyer, Owner and Brand Manager, I was briefed on a project I would begin that day. I was soon aware of how freeing it is to work with experienced people in marketing who gave me a greater understanding of the project’s direction. It was like a breath of fresh air, and the pressure was off of me to “know everything.” Instead, I could approach as a learner. For this project, I was allowed to write content but also receive insight into the editing and revision process.
That first day mostly consisted of writing content for clients’ websites, which I greatly enjoyed because it was a mixture of using creative and analytical thinking. Afterward, I worked on an internal project: reconfiguring the organizational structure of a work management platform. All in all, it was refreshing to venture out into the unknown with the safety of a team that had a clear vision even when I didn’t. Soon, I was able to grasp this vision, add meaningful input, and gain confidence by seeing a project through to its conclusion.
Each day had different challenges and tasks, which kept the time engaging and upbeat. We dove into various projects for a period of time and quickly shifted gears when needed. What I learned as an intern at Green Closet Creative is that they have a wide range of unique projects including website design, SEO research and implementation, brochure layout, and so much more. Even though many of the tasks are similar, the company enjoys the diversity of style and needs of different clients.
One of the highlights of my intern role is being able to practically apply the fundamentals I learned at my university. Concepts that feel rudimentary and boring in the classroom become exciting in motion. I find it so fulfilling to follow ideas through the process into fruition, and it’s encouraging to know that I played a role in the results presented to clients. The end product is rewarding, but I can honestly say that I enjoy the process even more because I feel best when I am being productive, learning new things, and working toward an end result.
For me, the circular process of learning and doing feels like this:
As an intern, I was able to learn and grow just by being exposed to the work environment. Being surrounded by those with more wisdom and experience has expanded my perspective. One of my favorite parts was shadowing client and internal meetings, where I had first-hand experience with the principle of “more lessons are caught than taught.”
These are some memorable comments from my colleagues at Green Closet:
- “Make it messy. Put yourself out there. Don’t self-edit while you are writing because that will prohibit you from putting your real thoughts in. Sometimes it helps to just stop and walk away and then come back to it.” – Christine Brovelli-O’Brien, Creative Content Manager
- “Don’t take anything personally. I have to tell myself that daily.” – Sara Dwyer, Project Manager
- “The online world is ever-changing, and it is impossible to keep up. That’s the fun part.” – Hannah Carter, Social Media Specialist
- “With great power comes great responsibility. Basically, just because we can do it, doesn’t always mean we should. As a web developer, I bring ideas to life. But part of my job is to weigh the cost/benefits of those ideas and educate my colleagues and our clients on the potential negative impact those ideas might have on a website.” – AnnMarie DeVito, Web Developer
- “Creativity is a state of mind; it is an exercise that I am always working on improving.” – Shannon Perkinson, Graphic Designer
- “Graphic design is often seen as art, but to me, it’s more like solving a puzzle. Every element must fit perfectly to communicate a cohesive and impactful message.” – Rachel Heffron, Senior Graphic Designer
- “The ability to learn is the most important quality a leader can have.” – Caitlynn Larive, Digital Marketing Specialist, shared this inspiring quotation from Padmasree Warrior, CEO and Founder of the social app Fable
- “Being part of a cohesive, understanding, determined team is unbelievably rewarding and invigorating. As Aristotle said, ‘The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.’ – Ellie Peterson, Owner and Project Manager
After my time as an intern at Green Closet Creative, I will carry forward the valuable lessons I’ve learned. I’ve found that even the simplest phrases can have a profound impact. I am grateful for the knowledge and connections I’ve gained and look forward to applying them as I advance in my studies, marketing career, and life.