I’m Dana and I’m from Kazakhstan. I’m a senior Business and Management student at Simmons University and a marketing intern at Kaplan International Pathways.
Since my freshman year at Simmons, I have been a Student Content Creator for Kaplan — you might have already seen my videos and blog posts! I enjoy sharing my experiences with future international students and helping them learn about something I did not know myself before I became an international student.
This is why Kaplan’s mission to make education accessible to all inspires me and matches my interests. When I was given an opportunity to pursue a virtual internship with them, I did not hesitate to say yes!
This remote internship has been a highlight of my study abroad journey so far, so let me tell you all about it!
Why I applied for the virtual internship
As an undergraduate student with limited internship experience, I was eager to understand how my current skills and knowledge in business and marketing could contribute to a company. The virtual internship presented a unique opportunity to not only enhance my skills but also deepen my understanding of the industry and gain valuable insights into the marketing field.
I also wanted to experience the dynamic mix of creativity and technical metrics that is involved in marketing. My major is related to marketing too, so it was crucial for me to gain hands-on experience.
What I did during my virtual internship
Over 12 weeks, I worked with seven different teams within the marketing department. I completed so many projects, so it’s challenging to highlight only a few things!
I got a chance to create Reels and Instagram stories, and prepare a presentation with future social media content ideas for the content creators. This allowed me to tap into my creative side while adding value to the brand’s online presence.
I also worked on lots of data-driven tasks, such as campaigns performance reports, website technical evaluation, and customer relationship management (CRM) automations. These tasks immersed me in the analytical side of the business and honed my understanding of their impact on marketing strategies.
I learned a lot about the editing and adding animations to videos, as well as conducting research on YouTube trends and assessing the importance of various analytical and visual techniques.
Skills I’ve developed
Of course, it was quite challenging to work completely online, as I believe the learning process is often smoother when you’re in the office, engaging with colleagues in person. But my line manager, Ellie, along with all the teams I worked with, were incredibly supportive and kind! They always made sure I was doing well and went above and beyond to make my internship an unforgettable experience.
This internship gave me a taste of what being a professional and working in an organisation is like. I had to discipline myself and develop certain work habits. I feel more confident now, and I’m excited to update my CV with the projects I’ve completed.
Throughout my internship, I led presentations, participated in team-oriented activities, and attended meetings. This has significantly enhanced my communication skills and teamwork abilities.
Moreover, I really enjoyed the freedom for creativity when it came to Reels, Instagram stories, and content ideas, as well as having the chance to improve my digital literacy and critical thinking.
My overall thoughts and advice
Reflecting on my journey, I am proud of myself and could not be more grateful for this internship!
I deeply appreciate all the work and commitment these extremely talented and kind people have shown! I always imagined work as a strict, super serious (and almost grey) environment, but the vibrant and inspiring work culture at Kaplan turned this belief upside down. It was fascinating to be a part of a community like this one.
This was the time I could strengthen my existing skills and acquire new ones! Looking into the future, I am excited about the new horizons and opportunities yet to come.
So, if you’re unsure about pursuing an internship, I highly recommend it! It is a great way to decide what you like more and use that experience as a guide in your career!
Last but not least, you should always maintain a growth mindset. Failures and challenges are part of the learning process. Embrace each and every opportunity given to you because that’s how you decide what you can do and want to do!
Study with Kaplan
There are many ways that studying abroad with Kaplan can support your career development. For example, if you choose to study in the UK, you can take advantage of a a pathway course with internship. Like Dana, you’ll get valuable experience in a professional environment and get a valuable edge in the job market!
Or you could study in USA and take advantage of Optional Practical Training, which allows you to stay in the USA to work for up to three years after graduating.
Finally, in Canada, you could benefit from a Co-op program, where you can take on a paid work placement as part of your degree!
To learn more, speak to one of our Education Advisors, who will help you find the best study option for you.
