Intern, Wellness Telecom, Seville, Spain
This summer I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity participate in GlobalEd’s internship program and intern at Wellness Telecom in Seville, Spain. Wellness Telecom is a telecommunications company that works with new technologies in order to build a better, more efficient, and better connected world with innovative technological solutions. The company works in four lines of business: Telecommunication and IT Systems, Cloud Computing, Smart Cities and R & D. I interned under the international development division, which allowed me to build upon my marketing skills. The GlobalEd program not only placed me at my internship, but placed me in intensive Spanish course that provided me with a beginner level in Spanish.
Selecting Wellness Telecom’s internship offer for my internship site this summer was a strategic decision. Out of all the offers I had received through the GlobalEd organization Wellness’ was the most beneficial for my future career goals. While my internship has given me an immersive experience in many aspects of marketing, the nature of my role did not have me directly engage with sales on a daily basis. I needed to pursue those opportunities on my own. My internship at Wellness Telecom taught me a lot about working abroad, along with working with companies in different countries. It was there that I learned a multitude of skills and knowledge about the marketing industry. I had the opportunity to do a little of everything, but I mainly focused on market research and contacting potential partners and clients. Through this internship I was able to hone my communication skills, which is quite vital to sales, ensuring that I can effectively communicate at all levels. I was often tasked with reaching out to both local and international cliental, allowing me to build upon my cross cultural communication as well.
Interning under the international division allowed me to not only engage with companies outside of Spain, but aid in the marketing of the company, making it look like an international company. This internship provided me a new understanding of decision-making, community standards, and personal responsibility. I was continually exercising my communication skills, verbal and non-verbal, in order to effectively to communicate with those who have different communication ques than Americans. I hope to use the skills I have learned to my benefit when I begin my professional career.
When I first started at my internship, I had the challenge of speaking up. I arrived being incredibly timid, kept to myself, and did not speak up for assignments, to ask questions, or to learn. I remember on my first day, I felt intimidated to ask questions or really learn anything I was interested in versus what I was taught automatically by the people I was with. I just let the day pass without really learning what I wanted to know. At that time, and even now sometimes I am okay with that, but after about a week, I really grew out of that stagnant period. After being up close and working to the marketing projects, I really became my own person and broke that barrier I had put up myself. I moved out of a timid state, and put myself into an attitude to learn, achieve, and progress with getting to know my future career. I learned that I could overcome anything and be what I wanted, instead of what I had trapped myself to be. I burst the timid state I had forced myself to resort to in a new environment surrounded by people who seem intimidating to outsiders, and once I eliminated those barriers and we became more like friends, I was able to become the person I am now: confident, talkative when necessary, and personable. I could not be happier with this new skill because I can talk freely with people without feeling this introverted pressure, or fear of letting myself get the best of me. Instead, I use this new courage and attitude to make new friends, live life, and be more amiable and inviting instead of quiet and forgettable, which is important for marketing.
As a whole, this internship has been what I wanted and so much more. I have done things that I know I would never had the opportunity to do had I interned at an American company. When reflecting on my career goals, I am often overwhelmed because there is so much I would like to accomplish and experience within my professional career. I am grateful for the opportunities this internship has given me because it has helped build the foundation for my future career. This opportunity has definitely helped in shaping me into the up-and-coming professional I am today. Without these experiences, I would not possess the transferrable skills needed to be a successful professional. I believe my skills paired with my experiences will help me be a competitive candidate in the coming months as I navigate my job search.
