This summer I was blessed with a PR/marketing internship at EPU-Children's Center, a local nonprofit in my city. The internship was originally part of my service-learning semester project for my PR class, but I grew to love the organization and how much I was learning from my work there.
My internship coordinator is the Development Director for EPU and my main job right now is to help her with planning our annual fundraiser, Fiesta de los Ninos. This past Thursday I spent all morning with my internship coordinator. Our main focus was to scout out local businesses, establish a relationship, and see if they would be willing to donate an item to our silent auction table. Before we got started, we had breakfast and talked. During this conversation, some interesting things were said; quotes that really struck me. So I want to share her wisdom and hope it has the same profound effect on you that it did me.
"Every career woman should always have THAT ONE powersuit; the suit when you walk into a room and people know you're here to rock."
"Always pay attention to your appearances. Pay attention to the audience you will be speaking to and coordinate your outfit around that.
"Start working on finding your organization system now. It will help you years later down the road."
"Always smile when you are talking on the phone. People can hear in your voice when you are smiling. It sounds better."
"Always dedicate at least an hour or two to some "me" time: when you can take a breather, answer all your emails, return phone calls, and have your to-do list set for tomorrow."
"If you can, learn how to play golf. You'll be surprised how many business deals happen on the golf course."
"Your portfolio is crucial. And having letters of recommendation ready to go in your portfolio can determine whether you get the job or right. It did for me; that's how I've landed this job and the previous one before it."
What was your favorite piece of advice? Do you have quotes of wisdom that you carried with you from previous internships? I would like to hear them in comments! Or tweet them at me. Until next time, keep dreaming!
~Selina "It's still a man's world out there; the good ol' boys club. All that means is you have to work harder."
My internship coordinator is the Development Director for EPU and my main job right now is to help her with planning our annual fundraiser, Fiesta de los Ninos. This past Thursday I spent all morning with my internship coordinator. Our main focus was to scout out local businesses, establish a relationship, and see if they would be willing to donate an item to our silent auction table. Before we got started, we had breakfast and talked. During this conversation, some interesting things were said; quotes that really struck me. So I want to share her wisdom and hope it has the same profound effect on you that it did me.
"Every career woman should always have THAT ONE powersuit; the suit when you walk into a room and people know you're here to rock."
"Always pay attention to your appearances. Pay attention to the audience you will be speaking to and coordinate your outfit around that.
"Start working on finding your organization system now. It will help you years later down the road."
"Always smile when you are talking on the phone. People can hear in your voice when you are smiling. It sounds better."
"Always dedicate at least an hour or two to some "me" time: when you can take a breather, answer all your emails, return phone calls, and have your to-do list set for tomorrow."
"If you can, learn how to play golf. You'll be surprised how many business deals happen on the golf course."
"Your portfolio is crucial. And having letters of recommendation ready to go in your portfolio can determine whether you get the job or right. It did for me; that's how I've landed this job and the previous one before it."
What was your favorite piece of advice? Do you have quotes of wisdom that you carried with you from previous internships? I would like to hear them in comments! Or tweet them at me. Until next time, keep dreaming!
~Selina "It's still a man's world out there; the good ol' boys club. All that means is you have to work harder."