Optimizing Connections: My SEO Intern Experience

Hi readers! My name is Carina Scott, and I’m a rising senior at Temple University. I’m majoring in Advertising with a concentration in Brand Strategy and Research. This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to intern for Harmelin Media’s Search Engine Optimization (SEO) team, and I couldn’t be more grateful for my experience.

My Experience

During my time at Harmelin, I was responsible for performing keyword research, on-site optimization, external link building, and providing general administrative support to the SEO team. This was my first time working on a professional team in a corporate environment. I was a ball of nerves when I first started, but I was ready to challenge myself. In a nutshell, the goal of SEO is to help clients organically increase their visibility in search engines with various strategies.

My experience was never monotonous. There was always something new to work on for Harmelin’s high-profile clients. I learned how to juggle different tasks with varying priority levels and to be ready to shift gears at any moment. To perform my duties, I used SEO tools like Semrush and Google Search Console. I had the opportunity to compile data from these sites, analyze it, and assist the team on different reports. One of the highlights of my internship was the opportunity to present data to a real client. I was exhilarated. This internship encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone, and therefore, I realized I was capable of much more than I previously gave myself credit for. 

Positive Aspects

One of the most positive aspects of Harmelin is how the business prioritizes its employees’ well-being. The employees are the backbone of the company, and the business treats them accordingly. The company emphasizes the importance of a work-life balance. Employees have everything they need to thrive, resulting in a high retention rate and positive work environment. Harmelin’s company culture made it exciting to go into the office whenever I had the chance. I could feel how much every employee loved being there. 

People Who Inspired Me

The SEO team at Harmelin works like a well-oiled machine. Everyone inspired me with how they delegate tasks and communicate to get things done. My supervisor, Heather Shields, made my internship such a wonderful learning experience. Her passion for what she does is infectious, and she constantly encouraged questions. I’m taking away so much knowledge from this internship because of her. She is someone to whom I will forever professionally look up. 

Advice

I was a transfer student entering my junior year at a brand new university, with essentially zero internship experience. Gaining my first internship was something important to me, and I was ready to start adding relevant experience to my resume. So, I set a goal for myself: secure an internship before the start of my senior year. I tried the traditional route of applying through Handshake and LinkedIn. Months of applying to different companies went by, and I heard nothing back. 

Here’s a secret that I’ll let you in on. I secured my summer internship at Harmelin Media through the connections I made at Temple University. This isn’t to say that I wouldn’t have eventually found something from those job sites; however, they aren’t your only options. It’s important to utilize your support system. Your professors want to see you succeed, and the power of asking about opportunities goes a long way. If you’re currently looking for your first internship, here’s some advice that I’ll leave you with: 

#1 Set Goals. Even if you don’t know when you’ll achieve them, it’s important to understand what is driving you. Then, ask yourself what you want to gain out of the internship.

#2 Be Proactive & Make Connections. I learned about Harmelin Media through a class at Temple University. The guest speaker that day happened to be my current SEO supervisor, Heather Shields. I connected with her on LinkedIn and spoke to my professor at the time, John Connor, about my interest in the company. He was gracious enough to put me in contact with Heather, and I was offered an interview sometime later. The rest is history. I then continued to make connections throughout my internship.

#3 Stay Curious. It’s ok not to know everything about the field you’re interning in. You’re not supposed to. I didn’t know the full scope of what SEO entailed, but I knew I wanted to learn more. As long as you are eager to learn and aren’t afraid to ask questions, nothing will get in the way of your success.

#4 Be Patient. The process of finding an internship can be frustrating at times. I certainly didn’t get my first internship overnight. It’s ok to be frustrated, but just know that your efforts will be rewarded. So, give yourself some grace. It’ll work out. 

Overall, I’m thrilled to have had this experience and to have worked with this specific team for my first internship. I got a glimpse into the corporate world, and the lessons I’ve learned from industry professionals have been invaluable. I can’t wait to take what I have gained and apply it to my future endeavors!