INTERNSHIP REFLECTION
personal writing
08. 25. 2019
My internship as a marketing, social media and website development for Asian Community & Cultural Center (ACCC) has been one of the most rewarding and motivational experiences I have had as a student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. My experiences and openness uncovered more day by day. When I mentioned ACCC to others, they often comprehend that this organization only serves Asian backgrounds, such as Chinese, Vietnamese, Middle Eastern, Southeast Asian, and other Asians. However, ACCC is an undoubtedly benevolent organization that supports and empowers all refugees and immigrants from around the world in Lincoln, NE. They offered programs and services that advance the sharing of Asian culture and other cultural heritages of our clients with the community. With that in mind, ACCC aims to make sure the immigrants in Lincoln and surrounding areas will have access to the resources and support they need to lead better lives.
ACCC has companionable teams and a very spontaneous work culture. Still, the most potent encounters are the dedication of the organization to contribute to the community and society without any favor in return. Generally, nonprofit organizations have insufficient expenses in hiring professionals or expertise for publicity. In ACCC, I was intrigued by how they aided refugees and immigrants and held events to spread the culture and keep the communities engaged. However, I could see that the organization lacked in updating its marketing materials. They had been using some of the same brochures and posters to advertise their events for years. With such empathetic and supportive supervisors, I developed my passion for learning graphic design to illustrate a higher quality of advertising materials for their events. It also offers opportunities to enhance my marketing career into the creative side.
For the social media and website development position, I am fortunate that I was able to be studied excitedly to learn about the foundation of digital marketing in class and expand my understanding. I perceive it as a small taste of the real world. I had the pleasure of brainstorming the knowledge I have gathered in the classroom and developing plans to build content for the ACCC's website and social media. I think practical experience is the best way to learn. Not only do I get to appreciate the theories I have acquired, but also I realize this basic information could be a reliable tool that I could bring an invaluable aspect to the table for those who need it.
Throughout my internship experience, open communication and cooperation were some of the most influential and most obvious soft skills that I learned. When I first started interning, I always hesitated and was nervous about approaching my employers from a wide variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds to seek opinions or ask questions because I thought doing so would show my incapability or be disrespectful. Fortunately, I have compassionate employers in understanding that asking questions is the only way to learn and improve. Instead, they provided guidance and supports. If I had not worked with them, I probably would have been too afraid to ask questions and opinions in my next job. Besides, I learned that receiving constructive feedback and asking questions is part of crucial skills in accomplishing a task. These interpersonal skills provided hands-on experience, and they would be beneficial in my future career.
Many times, an internship is an opportunity for students to explore their education and career. I can assertively say it was the most transformative period of my life. It affirmed my ambition to continue to pursue and enhance my knowledge in this field.
