Along with going to school in Ireland, Champlain Abroad Dublin students also have the invaluable opportunity to volunteer or complete a part-time internship. Seeing international work experience on a resume is pretty impressive and will make you stand out in a sea of applications!
Dylan Helstien is a third year professional writing major at Champlain College. (She’s currently writing all about her wonderful adventures abroad which you can see here!) Going from sunny California to Vermont and now across the pond- it’s safe to say that Dylan loves getting into new and exciting things. That being said, Dylan’s decision to pick up an internship while studying abroad in Ireland was a no brainer. Dylan is an intern at Vocal; a creative marketing and advertising agency conveniently on Leeson Street Lower across from Champlain College Dublin. I recently sat down with Dylan to find out all about her internship experience!
How did you go about looking for an internship?
It was actually quite easy! The study abroad application had a section for internships that you could fill out. I expressed that I wanted an internship and how I was looking forward to having an international professional experience. I emailed my resume and cover letter to Champlain Dublin’s Director Stephen Robinson and Assistant Director Lilly Johnsson. Then, I had a Skype interview with them and the rest is history.
What does your average work day look like?
I work on Mondays and Tuesdays from 8:30 to 5:30 with an hour break for lunch. Vocal is an open office with a big table in the middle. My work changes from day to day, but it always includes writing or drafting different things on a laptop. I write posts for Vocal’s blog. I recently created Facebook posts for one of Vocal’s clients. It was surreal to see my work posted throughout the week!
What are you currently working on?
I’m currently working on content for an outlet shopping village. They’re gearing up for their Christmas Village and want to show people how easy it is to get all their Christmas shopping done there. I’ve been creating content revolving around that which will be going out in November and December.
What’s one thing that has surprised you at your internship?
Luckily, the internship class I take in junction with my internship has helped out a lot with what to expect in the work place. I was put into work right away and coworkers would ask “Can you do this?” and consistently give me feedback. My coworkers are upfront and really helpful.
What’s something that you have learned?
I’ve learned to be more confident in my abilities in my chosen career path! It’s satisfying when people approve of your work and you can see it in the real world, it’s a whole other level. There are some students out there who never take the chance on an internship and never put their knowledge to use until they graduate. Champlain, luckily, makes that impossible!
Do you have any internship advice?
Being an intern abroad while also trying to travel and do all that there is to do in a new and exciting place is hard. An internship at times can be tiring or demanding, but it is also just as fun. To say that you’ve done an internship in another country is so satisfying! It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity!
APPLY NOW TO STUDY ABROAD!
READY TO GET THAT INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE AND GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE?
VISIT: WWW.CHAMPLAIN.EDU/CHAMPLAINABROAD
