Building Brand Strategy and Confidence at Par5 Technologies

Hello, I’m Ben Osueke, a senior at Temple University with a major in Advertising. This summer, I began an amazing remote internship with Par5 Technologies LLC, a tech recruitment and consulting company based in Katy, Texas. The company’s approach is what drew me in immediately from the start. To elaborate, this approach combines deep industry knowledge with a personalized, strategic focus on placing top-tier tech talent. Coming in I expected to be used more behind the scenes, but thankfully what I found was an engaging, hands-on experience that is cultivating my view of the marketing world.

What This Experience Has Taught Me

As a Marketing and Advertising Intern, my work involves evaluating current Par5 marketing strategies, identifying areas for improvement, and helping shape the company’s brand, primarily in the Houston Tech scene. Not only have I helped manage the company’s digital presence, but I also take time drafting responses to state RFPs and help research new proposal opportunities. Doing this task has taught me that marketing isn’t only about promotion, but it’s more about having strategic alignment, consistency across all platforms, and managing reputation.
One thing that has stuck with me is the importance Par5 puts on proactivity in a remote setting. Despite not having a physical office, having regular virtual meetings with Jeff Parnell, Par5 President has kept me looped into the company’s goals. I went from observing in my internship to quickly contributing to strategy sessions, showing that when given the chance interns can make a real impact.

Positive Aspects of the Business I Discovered

One thing I have learned about Par5 Technologies is its agility and transparency, which is key for a great functioning small business. This structure allows for quick decision-making and tight collaboration among departments, even with me being remote. It’s amazing to see how much trust Mr. Parnell has placed in me. From the start, I was given some access to confidential business information and expected to bring in meaningful contributions.
One positive that I admire is working closely with Mr. Parnell. As a leader, he does an amazing job of mixing mentorship along with having high expectations, which has boosted my growth as a professional. The opportunity I have been given to explore different sides of the business has widened my perspective on what it takes to be a strategic marketer in the tech space.

When Expectations Meet Reality

When I accepted this internship, my expectations were to be given minor, surface-level tasks. Instead, I’ve been a part of the company’s effort to boost positioning within the tech recruitment space. If I could change anything, it would be coming in with top-level confidence from the start. Working at Par5 has taught me the value of bringing in a fresh new perspective, which is important in a small business setting.

Advice For Those Starting Their First Internship

The main emphasis I want to make is to embrace being proactive. Ask questions, propose ideas, and lean into every opportunity instead of waiting to be told what to do. Being remote can feel distant but consistent communication and taking initiative makes a big difference. I gained Par 5 trust not by having all the answers, but by showing up consistently with a willingness to learn and contribute.

Looking Ahead

Having his internship at Par5 has exceeded my expectations. The skills that I am learning at Par5 from strategic thinking, content creation, and tech industry research; will stick with me wherever I go. As I continue my internship I am excited to continue to learn, contribute, and build a portfolio that I can feel proud of.