I wanted to work while studying. Here’s how a virtual internship helped me pursue both.
About the Author: Aishika Bhattacharya, a student of Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, gives insightful details about her virtual internship at Pepipost and tells how fun and rewarding it turned out to be.
Fresh out of college, I was faced with two basic choices – work or higher studies. I chose to work as I wanted to take the leap and build my work experience. So, armed with a degree and a go-getter attitude, I joined the digital marketing department of a well-known marketing tech company. This job helped me understand what I was passionate about and what I wanted to do in life. After working for 2 years, I decided to pursue higher studies to enhance my skills in digital marketing. Luckily enough, I got admission in a top-notch MBA school. My MBA program was in full swing; lectures, assignments, and presentations were keeping me busy yet I missed my work life. I didn’t want to miss out on working in a corporate while I refined my skills.
This was when a friend told me that Pepipost was hiring interns for social media marketing. I found the company interesting and loved their innovative spirit. Wanting to be a part of Pepipost, I sent my resume to the concerned person. Being 100 miles away from their Mumbai office didn’t stop me from applying and thankfully, distance didn’t seem to be a hurdle for them either. I had three interviews – telephonic and face to face – with the CEO, the marketing manager, and the HR manager. In the first interview, I was asked about my interests, knowledge in the field of digital marketing, and what I wanted to do as an intern in their company. In response, I mentioned my keen interest in social media marketing and SEO. Post this interview, I was given an assignment to analyze their brand’s social media presence, suggest which social channel worked best with the target audience, and come up with ideas to promote the brand on that particular channel. After the assignment, I had two more interviews and they also went well.
I was soon hired for a virtual internship. As a social media marketing intern, I manage their Facebook and Twitter accounts. My role entails campaign analysis, competition mapping, suggesting new campaigns and channels, etc. I have had the creative flexibility to plan, create, and execute campaigns. I design creatives for these campaigns and liaison with vendors and agencies to develop brand properties like explainer videos, creatives, and infographics. As a virtual intern, I have the freedom to work in pyjamas and with no 9 to 5 gig, I can fit in my work hours as per my convenience. I can work in between classes or from the library; I love the flexibility this internship offers. Pepipost has given me just the right platform to learn, grow, and be challenged. Being a lean startup, it has no hierarchical barriers. I’ve tried my hand at making videos, writing, and working with developers. It also taught me time management skills and how to prioritize my work.
One needs to be on one’s toes to know what’s trending and has to keep the brand relevant on social media. I’ve learnt to create the right content to reach the targeted eyeballs at the right time. The organization encouraged me to think outside the box and experiment with my work. It did require some courage to break the mold and take a leap outside my comfort zone, but I soon started planning campaigns to engage the audience. For instance, I successfully carried out a ‘Pepipost loves Mompreneurs’ campaign on Mother’s Day.
Nothing beats the feeling of being appreciated and valued at work. As a team, we are always there for each other – cheering each other up when campaigns don’t run as expected, lending a helping hand to meet deadlines, brainstorming, and coming up with some innovative ideas. I wasn’t sure how working remotely would work out but it’s been almost a year now, and I must say taking up a virtual internship has been one of my best decisions. I have learnt to be more versatile and productive than I could be in any full-time job. I have realised that distance doesn’t matter as long as you can contribute to a company’s growth.
Do you also want to gain experience but your college studies don’t allow you to take up a full-time internship? Check out these virtual internships in social media marketing and get to work!
