Social Media Intern Diaries :: Brittany
“Good seasons start with good beginnings,” This Sparky Anderson quote was the first quote that hit my mind the moment I woke up for my first day at Media Maison.
Prior to beginning my first day, I researched a ton of information on how to make a good impression, all which gave the basic information on how to act when I usually start a job—ask questions, read up on information about the company and training materials, etc.
Personally, I am seen as a shy, quiet introverted when I happen to begin any new job/internship in a new environment that is unfamiliar to my previous surroundings. Mostly, it shows through my social cues of not talking enough on the first day; however, this misconception tends to be the exact opposite of what most usually perceive. I am actually -a down to earth, garrulous, loud-mouth that doesn’t know when to shut up. That side of me can be seen specifically through the way I dress from the neck and up and will tend to come out as I gradually get comfortable around new faces.
As stated, the first day at a new internship is usually difficult for me due to several reasons. The initial reason would be, as stated, feeling unease in a completely new surrounding with new people.
Here is how I see it, Each office, each company has a set ecosystem. In this "ecosystem" has their own social cues, communication, survival laws. So a foreigner, like myself, who is unfamiliar with the local customs of a new company feel as if I have to prove themselves to fit in and past the wretched test. Yes, the test. The test-a test in which employees are being watched as well as being silently judged on how they can handle the responsibilities and workload of the company, what they can bring to the table, how self-sufficient they are with a certain task, and if they are able to think on their own. Moreover, one has to be vigilant to every detail and marking in your work, honing into perfectionistic tendencies; from the vast volume of information and obtaining numerous skills.
So when I walked through the doors of Media Maison at 9:38 am (If I had to describe the commute to getting here I would have to say—the 77th Hunger Games), I was initially internalizing my day to fit the impression of a typical first day.
Forunately, that was not the case. Instead, I got a different vibe altogether. Everyone was open and said hi, and not the stoic, monotone "hello" but a very warm and down to earth, GENIUNE, hello. On top of that, they never even questioned the reason as to why I was late, which gave me a great and positive first impression of the company.
I further learned more about the company when I sat down with Anna, and another intern named Ashanti in the CEO’s office.
Prior to this first meeting, I was debriefed on the social media accounts that I would be working on; however, at the meeting, once I saw the full list of media accounts, my first thoughts were-I am actually going to get the chance to utilize my skills and creative abilities to doing work and I am gonna learn a lot about what social media marketing/ PR really is.
So far, I have learned a lot about the main accounts that I will be work on with the Social Media Director-Anna, a platform that I knew too well from my mother dearest called Cision; as well as forms in which companies fill out giving Media Maison a background on the companies social media all which added to my excitement in working for Media Maison.
All in all, my ultimate goals that I wish to fulfil at Media Maison: to learn as much as I can about PR and Social Media since the world today is gear more towards the digital era, learn more about visual marketing tools as well as graphic design tools, and to hit professional status in this field; that way I can use what I learn towards freelancing social media opportunities and my own personal hobbies/ and starting business on the side of photography while being apart of an amazing company such as Media Maison.
