How an internship opportunity changes your view on what you learnt at University.

I would recommend anyone to do an internship for a year of six months, especially if you are in your final years of studies. You will notice how different the working world is compare to studying, once you have conducted an internship. From a student learning theory for three years and finally been able to apply that knowledge in a practical way is the best feeling every. You begin to see the bigger picture once you physically apply what you have learnt.

Three years of theory was a complete bore to me, all I wanted to do was plan an event or campaign in real life and finally my internship year at Media24; was a dream comes true. I was given the position of been the Corporate Social Investment Assistant to the CSI group coordinator of Media24, Adrie Jurgensen.

My very first campaign was the dress red campaign in association with the Heart & Stroke Foundation in aid of Valentine’s Day. My duty was to think outside of the box and find a fun way to allow staff members to give towards a worthy cause. I could not believe that this was my first task wow, and I thought to myself, what now? How do I make this happen?

I eventually came up with a project plan; I guess all those portfolios we had to do for Susan Cerff was a bonus. My goal was try and sell as many dress red stickers as possible to staff members at work I even went as far as developing an advertising campaign whereby staff members had to dress up in red outfits on Valentine’s Day. I phoned various sponsors for prizes and received many freebies; I like the idea of networking with various organisations. This opportunity was awesome for my contact book.

The real working world is completely different, environment once you have experienced it. I have managed to gain many different skills throughout my internship and current position here at Corporate Communications and my prior work experience. I have come to know many different people especially in receiving sponsorships for our Corporate Social Investments projects and I maintained good relationships with all our sponsors and service providers.

I mean from learning all that theory to finally getting your hands dirty and working together with big organisations in order to fulfil your organisations tasks is a completely different world on its own.