Kelsey Brown got interested in working in the social media industry after listening to a podcast one day that took her “behind the scenes” in the industry.
That interest led her to an internship at the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce.
“Social media is an emerging field, so it was a bit nerve-wracking to begin,” Kelsey said. But she wanted to take that chance and thought, “I couldn’t not try.”
Kelsey’s father and her advisor, Jeff Guterman, encouraged her to apply for the internship. Many communications students over the years have interned at various chambers of commerce in the area, which are great places to learn about all the aspects of the communications field.
When Kelsey met with the chamber’s marketing and communications manager, she knew the position aligned perfectly with what she was looking for. Not only would the internship give her the opportunity to learn about social media but also all the various aspects of the communications field.
“It was the perfect opportunity that fell into my lap.”
Kelsey didn’t only want to use her summer to gain college credit and learn about the communications and social media marketing field. She also wanted to gain valuable professional experience working in the field.
“An internship should be more than just checking off tasks, but also a life experience,” she said, “I want to leave here with a new sense of confidence and preparedness for my life after Pitt-Bradford.”
Kelsey said one of the best parts of her internship is that she is working on tasks that excite her. “They have allowed me to create content for their [social media] platforms, attend events, and engage with the press.”
“My supervisor, Amy Williamson, made it clear from the beginning: If I see something that pokes my interest, ask about it! There are so many doors for me to walk through here, and each day is a new experience.”
Another highlight of her internship experience is the staff is “overwhelmingly supportive.”
“I am gaining so much knowledge of working within the field, and I am learning just as much about working with a team. I have enjoyed engaging with staff members and learning about their roles, even those outside of my field.”
Kelsey said the staff also has given her valuable information on post-graduation life, including creating a LinkedIn profile, building her portfolio, and networking. She said the team at the Binghamton Chamber never made her feel like “just an intern.”
“They are putting a lot of trust in me to complete assignments while offering guidance every step of the way.”
Kelsey said her supervisor, Amy, and Meg Rossie, another member of the chamber team, “have told and shown me that they want this to be the best internship experience possible, which is motivating for me to come into work each day.”