Internships are about breaking out of the college bubble and seeing what the professional world has in store. I was given the chance to do just that at Reynolds and Reynolds this summer.

When I began working with the marketing communications team at Reynolds, I was inundated with information from day one. There was always something new to learn. Since the best way to learn is by doing, I was given projects immediately. I’ve never had an experience that helped me learn and adjust so quickly. I worked on projects with other employees and was exposed to many different products to help create content to promote the Reynolds brand to customers. I received useful feedback every step of the way, and everyone took time to explain the different processes, language, and dealership information crucial to succeeding in this position.

Before I started, I couldn’t have imagined I would work on projects that had real impact and application to our customers, but that’s exactly what I did. Knowing the content I was creating was going to our customers made the job rewarding. I spent weeks working on different campaigns and collaborating with other departments. Seeing the campaigns come together after all the work and thought that went into them was better than finishing any school project. Reynolds makes your work matter and lets you get a taste of what’s to come after graduation.

While the work was rewarding, the office culture made the Reynolds internship surpass my expectations. The environment was welcoming and fun, and the people made coming to work easy. I was surprised by how friendly employees were with the interns. They welcomed me into their close-knit group right away.

While maintaining a high level of professionalism, the team was always approachable, so I was never scared to ask questions. Starting this internship with no prior knowledge of the industry was made easier with the support I received throughout the summer. They understand how overwhelming all of the new information can be at first and made it clear that I could come to them for anything, inside and outside of work.

Reynolds’ sees the value in investing in their interns. Not only do you get experience within your specific department, but they teach you skills you’ll use in your professional career. I’ve had the opportunity to learn about interviewing, networking, and other professional skills from people that utilize them every day. They foster growth in each individual and in all parts of the corporate world.

The knowledge and experience I’ve gained from this internship opportunity exceeded my expectations. I was able to apply my major in a real-world setting and get a better understanding of the roles that I can work in after graduation. This summer has helped me grow professionally in a way I can take with me once school begins again and throughout my career.