Being Intimidated Was the Best Thing For Me

Hi! I’m Sophia, a rising senior Advertising major with a concentration in Brand Strategy and Research. This summer, I’m interning at Ansys, a global engineering simulation software company that helps businesses test and optimize products virtually before they ever build them in real life.

Walking into my first few meetings, I’ll be honest: I was completely intimidated. I don’t have an engineering background. Acronyms were flying. People were talking about materials modeling, structural mechanics, and simulation-driven product development as if it were second nature. For me, I was learning a new language.

I wanted to contribute and learn quickly, but I wasn’t sure how. At first, I stayed quiet, jotting down notes and constantly googling references on the side. But eventually, I realized something important: the people around me weren’t expecting me to know everything; they were just expecting me to learn. And that started with being brave enough to ask questions. Some were small: 

“What does ‘FEA’ stand for again?”

“What is a ‘TAM’?”

Others were broader: 

“What is territory versus momentum?”

The more I asked, the more things clicked. And the more things clicked, the more confident I felt. Before I knew it, I was researching new prospects, supporting account managers, and even building strategy decks for internal planning.

What I’ve Been Working On

A big part of my internship so far has been supporting strategic accounts and marketing teams. My day-to-day work includes:

• Researching companies and prospects for account managers
• Creating and updating internal sales tools like pitch decks and account planning materials
• Sitting in on strategy meetings to understand sales priorities
• Helping map messaging frameworks that connect technical tools to customer needs

Through this work, I’ve gotten exposure to a wide range of departments: sales, marketing, engineering, services, operations, and even data science. It’s helped me understand how all the moving parts come together in a B2B company where what you’re selling is complex and highly technical. 

What I’ve Learned

One key takeaway: B2B marketing is way more strategic than I expected. You’re not just promoting software, you’re helping sales teams communicate real value, solve customer problems, and build trust. That takes alignment, storytelling, and deep product understanding.

Another thing I didn’t expect? How critical communication is. When your product is complicated, you can’t rely on flashy visuals or catchy slogans. Sales reps, engineers, and marketers all need to be on the same page about what the customer cares about and how your solution helps.

Skills I’ve Built

This internship has pushed me to grow in a lot of ways, especially when it comes to: 

• Asking smarter questions
• Communicating clearly across teams
• Navigating confusion and figuring out quickly
• Managing time and priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Adapting my language for different audiences (customers vs internal facing)

Personal Growth & Career Perspective

Before this internship, I didn’t picture myself in a corporate B2B environment, let alone sales. I thought I’d end up somewhere more “creative” or consumer-focused. But this experience has changed my perspective. I’ve learned that strategy, communication, storytelling, and grit matter just as much here, and that’s where I thrive.

I’ve also realized that I don’t need to be the most technical person in the room to add value. I just need to be curious, collaborative, and open to learning. That mindset helped me turn what started as intimidation into real growth.

What surprised me most? That asking questions isn’t just okay, it’s expected. A lot of the time, my questions helped the other interns too, because they gave our managers a reason to slow down and explain things more clearly. I wasn’t just learning on my own; I was learning with a team. 

Why Communication Is Important

One of my favorite parts of the internship has been seeing how marketing, sales, and technical teams work together. When you’re selling something as complex as simulation software, clear communication is everything. Whether you’re on the engineering side or in a business role, it all comes back to understanding the customer’s challenges, and that starts with curiosity.

What I’m Taking With Me

Here’s what I’ll walk away with:

• Confidence to speak up, even when I don’t know everything
• A better understanding of how B2B marketing works
• An appreciation for questions as tools for connection and clarity

I used to think internships were about showing off what you already know. But now I realize they’re more about showing that you’re willing to learn, ask, and grow. And honestly? That mindset has made all the difference for me.

If you’re nervous about starting an internship and you don’t know all the lingo or all the tools, don’t stress. Start with one good question. Then ask another. You’d be surprised where it can take you.