Reflections: an unconventional marketing internship

“Personally, having heard from many other friends who completed marketing internships, I thought that I would be doing tasks like monitoring social media channels or creating EDMs nonstop, but that was not the case for DP. “

By Nicole Loo

The Design Prodigy internship was entirely out of my expectations in many ways. It was a lot more mentally grueling than I expected, because a lot of it was theoretical work. Personally, having heard from many other friends who completed marketing internships, I thought that I would be doing tasks like monitoring social media channels or creating EDMs nonstop, but that was not the case for DP. 

DP’s internship focused a lot on the ethos of marketing, and in particular, Marc’s view and principles that he appreciated about the industry. He sought his best to impart these values to us, and to train us in his way of thinking. This, I found, the most valuable part of the internship, which was the kind of critical thinking and brainstorming that he fostered. What was also demanding was the sheer concentration it required to discipline oneself to focus on a 3-month long project. 

What I couldn’t believe was that DP gave me the opportunity to come face-to-face with professionals in the industry itself. I presented my work and heard criticisms right from the horse’s mouth as a green intern, and that was both humbling and validating. 

While I’m still not sure whether marketing is the right path for me, I’m glad that my summer vacation was a productive time of exploring and refining my mental cache.