What Makes Being an Intern So Scary?
I was first hired prior to the summer internship period and was offered the opportunity to continue my internship in the fall. I will be working as an intern with QVC until December 2024, which is when I graduate!
Over these past six months since I began in May, I have gotten the chance to hone my copywriting skills, contribute to the lifecycle of large-scale marketing efforts, and develop experience crafting campaigns for the real world. The best part of my experience though, has been the kind, encouraging people I work alongside, and the wonderful company culture cultivated by QVC. I am so thankful for the chance to grow in a workplace environment full of people who push me to be my best, and want to see me continue to produce great work.
However, being an intern can be so scary.
Stepping into your role within an established team at such a large company as QVC can be incredibly daunting. Especially in my case, as I was joining the copywriting AND web development teams. That means juggling responsibilities coming from two teams. Both of which are essential in ensuring QVC’s promotional materials and website have solid copy and a well-functioning website to back it up. My teams were incredibly helpful, patient, and understanding as I learned the ins and outs of digital marketing at QVC.
Though my work load was a source of initial anxieties, this was not the scary part.
One of my favorite pieces I’ve had the chance to work on was supporting copy for a Today’s Special Value (TSV) item. TSVs are the big ticket item of the day and are promoted everywhere from texts, to push notifications, to email campaigns, social media ads, and the website’s homepage. Early on in my career with QVC, I was able to work on one of the TSV items, and copy that I helped to write was published on the front page of QVC’s website and all over other digital marketing materials. It’s safe to say my Grandmom was pretty excited.
Starting on such a visible project was mildly nerve-wracking, yet, this part also wasn’t scary per se. Of course, it was a big deal to write TSV copy, but I had my team’s support to guide me towards success.
The scariest part of my internship, has been knowing that the experience is temporary.
My time with the copywriting and web development teams has been invaluable in preparing me to spread my wings and enter the workforce soon. But there is something so special about being an intern with QVC. It’s a safe space to take (mediated) risks, try new things, and receive valuable feedback from professionals who have been where I am and have since grown to become experts in their career fields. Without my internship, entering “The Real World” of having a full-time job would feel terrifying.
After my time with QVC, I feel ready to tackle new challenges, no matter how intimidating they are. It is comforting to know that the friends I’ve made along the way have fundamentally helped shape me into a better copywriter, a better web developer, a better team player, and most importantly, a better me.
