If you search “internship” on LinkedIn, you will probably see the same things over and over again. The first day picture. The “excited to start this new chapter” caption. The professional-looking photo with a company logo in the background. And don’t get me wrong, those moments are exciting. But what about the moments that never make it into the post?
The moment when someone remembers your name. The random conversation that makes you feel like you belong. The unexpected opportunity that makes you think, “Wait… am I really just an intern?” Those are the moments that changed the way I see internships. Before starting mine, I saw it as a steppingstone: something I needed to complete for professional experience, a chance to build my resume, and another step toward my future career in marketing. I expected to learn new skills, complete projects, and get a glimpse into the corporate world. What I did not expect was this internship to become something I looked forward to every day.
As an international student pursuing my MBA in Business Analytics in the US, this was my first professional experience here. I was excited, but I was also nervous. Not because of the work itself, but because everything was new: the culture, the people, and the environment. Was I nervous? Yes. Was I excited? Even more so! Little did I know, those nerves would disappear pretty quickly.
The First Look
Before the internship, I heard a lot about Indium Corporation. But as someone without an engineering background, I never really understood what they actually did. I knew it was a company with a strong reputation, but I couldn’t fully picture where I would fit in. Could I say this was all meant to be? During my school visit to Indium Corporation, we had the opportunity to learn more about the company and meet Nate Discavage, the Talent Acquisition Supervisor. We learned about the different teams, the work they do, and most importantly, got a tour of the office. As we walked around with Nate leading the way, everyone was asking questions and learning more about the company. It was interactive, fun, and a great first impression. But then my attention immediately caught on something in the corner of the office. A cluster of cubicles. Except, these were not just normal cubicles. They were fully decorated with photos, cute little branded stuffed toys, and all kinds of personal items. It looked like a space filled with personality.
My first thought was, “This is so fun. This has to be a team full of fun people; just look at these cubicles!” And then Nate interrupted my thoughts and said, “Here’s where our MarCom team is.” I remember quietly saying to myself, “Of course, it is.” Everything suddenly made sense. This was the kind of environment I wanted to be in. This was the kind of team I wanted to work with.
Is It Meant to Be?
I have had a passion for marketing and the creative field for a long time. My career goal is to become an analyst in the marketing field, so even though we didn’t get to meet the MarCom team during the visit, I already had a feeling that this was where I wanted to be. And here I am. After three interviews and a few work sample submissions later, I officially joined the MarCom team at Indium Corporation as the Marketing Communications Intern. And the most exciting part? I finally got to meet the rest of the MarCom team. Just like I imagined seeing those decorated cubicles, they really are a fun and talented group of people. I still remember one of my incredible supervisors said during the interview, “We are a small team, but mighty.” My two supervisors have completely different personalities, and honestly, that is what makes it work so well. I think that combination allows me to get the best of both worlds. During the interview process, I learned more about the culture, how they treat their interns, and how this was truly Not Your Average Internship®.
They also shared how much they value the interns, how interns get to work on a capstone project with real hands-on experience, and how much exposure we would receive. Of course, I was excited. But at the same time, I thought, “Well… this is how every company promotes their internship, right? They all say that.”
A Series of Surprises
Fast forward to my second day after orientation, everything I did not expect was already happening. I was still a little nervous about meeting the team, but those nerves were already starting to fade after orientation. From the people I met in the elevator to the people walking around the office, everyone greeted us and told us how excited they were to meet us. People came to our desks just to say hi and introduce themselves. Shocking, right? During orientation lunch, we even had the chance to meet the CEO. He walked around, talked with the interns, and took the time to get to know us. Then, the next day, I had another one of those “I did not expect that” moments. While having lunch with another intern, Claire, the CEO walked by and greeted us by name: “Hi, Dawn, hi, Claire.”
It might seem like a small thing, but I was genuinely surprised. He already knew our names. In a company this size, that moment made me realize that interns here are not just names on a list— people actually take the time to know us. That was one of those small moments that made me realize this place was different. Then came another surprise: my meeting with my supervisors to discuss the projects I would be working on during my 10 weeks here. I was given a few projects where I would have full ownership, while still having support through mentoring, shadowing, and learning opportunities.
My first week schedule filled up quickly with meetings, projects, and new things to learn. It was honestly much busier than I expected. I know I have said “surprise” a lot, but like I said, it really was a series of surprises. I never expected to be this involved during my first week. Luckily, I am the type of person who likes to jump into the deep end and learn how to swim along the way. I like challenges, I like deep diving into things, and I enjoy learning quickly. So, this was exactly what I wanted. Maybe this really wasn’t a coincidence.
Not Your Average Internship®: Is it Just a Saying?
The more time I spent here, the more I realized that Not Your Average Internship® was not just a phrase. It was something I was experiencing. This internship is designed to truly benefit the interns. Not only because of the work we get to do, but because of the people we get to experience it with. I genuinely enjoy spending time with the other interns. We gather during lunch, talk about our days, share what projects we are working on, and learn from each other’s different fields. And the funny thing is, this happened on day two. It didn’t take us weeks to get comfortable with each other; it took us a day. A big part of that comes from how the program is structured. Instead of interns sitting alone at their desks, we are grouped together, and the weekly Lunch-and-Learns allow interns from different facilities to come together, connect, and share experiences. It feels intentional. It feels planned. And it makes the experience even better. One of the projects I am working on is being an ambassador for this internship program and helping promote it. And honestly? I love that. I love the culture here. I love that I get to challenge myself and take ownership of meaningful projects. I love spending time with the other interns. I love being part of a small but mighty team.
Now, as I write this at the end of week three, going into week four, I am almost halfway through my internship. And I still cannot think of a single thing I dislike about this experience. Throughout this journey, I have learned that an internship is not defined by the title “intern.” It is defined by the opportunities you take, the relationships you build, and the growth that comes from putting yourself in unfamiliar situations. So yes, it really is not hard to like this program.
The hardest part is knowing that not everyone gets to see the small moments that make this experience special. The moments that don’t make it to LinkedIn. The conversations at lunch. The people saying hi in the hallway. The unexpected opportunities. The feeling of realizing you are exactly where you are supposed to be. I cannot wait to share this experience with my friends, professors, and anyone looking for an internship opportunity. I am excited to continue being an ambassador for this program – even after these 10 weeks are over.
