By Will Wieters
The Vanderbilt Master of Marketing program (MMARK) provides an immersive learning of marketing principles, ways to develop a strategy, and problem-solving techniques. Many students complete their academics with internships in a variety of fields of interest. These pragmatic experiences are invaluable in applying classroom learning to real-world scenarios, thus bridging the gap between theory and practice. The following reflections detail the experiences of 4 current Master of Marketing students as they reflect upon their internships and reveal the skills they have developed and how such opportunities are influencing their future career trajectories in the ever-changing world of marketing.
Alyssa Lindblom, Marketing Intern: Vanderbilt Athletics
Alyssa Lindblom
A great example of passion translating into valuable professional experience is Alyssa Lindblom’s internship with Vanderbilt Athletics. Finding the role on the Vanderbilt Athletics website, Alyssa landed her opportunity through proactive searching and networking with a former MMARK intern.
At Vanderbilt Athletics, Lindblom has participated in the direct side of collegiate sports marketing through managing the marketing tables at events and helping to coordinate various fan engagement activities. This hands-on experience placed her behind the scenes of highly coordinated events, revealing how much detail, work, and consideration is involved in these tasks, such as selecting the music to be played during games.
The Vanderbilt Master of Marketing program has been instrumental in Lindblom’s success, allowing her to apply classroom concepts to real-world scenarios. She notes the reciprocal nature of her learning, with academic knowledge enhancing her internship performance and vice versa.
Lindblom recommends that future interns demonstrate their passion for the sport and relate their previous experiences to the field in a creative way. She encourages students to “appreciate every moment. It is such an incredible experience for me to be involved with this athletic department…Take advantage of every opportunity and moment and appreciate it.” She has grown both personally and professionally, improving her time management skills and expanding her professional network having interacted with Owen’s diverse student base.
Her experience with Vanderbilt Athletics is actively broadening her potential to find great opportunities outside of the competitive sports industry and equipping her with a solid foundation for a successful career in sports marketing.
Sam Putt, Artist Management Intern: Neon Coast
Sam Putt
Sam Putt’s internship with Neon Coast, a forward-thinking music and entertainment company, is an example of the benefits of active job searching and exploring new industries. Since securing his opportunity, Sam has been working within a fast-paced music marketing setting, where he has developed a focus on market research and strategies to introduce new album releases.
In Neon Coast, Sam has had the thrilling experience of working with accomplished professionals in the music business, while charting new territory. His experience shows how the Master of Marketing program at Vanderbilt prepared him for real-world applications, from techniques of market research to consumer behavior principles in social media strategies.
Sam encourages students to seek out internships early and not be scared of challenges. He adds, “The biggest part of this growth is the opportunity and experience that come from interning.” The internship has meant significant growth for Sam personally and professionally since it gave him the chance to further develop his time management skills and build more productive relationships at all levels of an organization. In this instance, Sam’s journey shows how exploring the diversity of industries can help you discover your passion and give you more clarity around your future career in marketing.
Liv Wilson, Public Relations Intern: Country Music Hall of Fame
Liv Wilson
Liv Wilson’s internship with the Country Music Hall of Fame provides a fine example of coupling one’s personal interests with professional opportunities. Her pursuit in securing the internship was done well in advance, having learned of such opportunities when she first arrived in Nashville prior to the MMARK program.
With the Country Music Hall of Fame, she has gained the experience of working within public relations for a nonprofit entity. Her duties include compiling press highlights, writing event listings, and analyzing media metrics. That experience has brought new depth to her understanding of PR in the not-for-profit sector and forced her out of her comfort zone into learning new industry-specific practices and terminologies.
One of the more exciting things about working at the Hall of Fame, according to Wilson, has been the collaborative atmosphere that allows her to work alongside the other interns and partner with various professionals at all levels of the organization. This emphasis on communication directly correlates to the collaborative environment of the Vanderbilt Master of Marketing program. Wilson says this environment has created an opportunity for her to apply concepts learned in the classroom directly to her internship.
Wilson stresses how important networking and relationship-building are, advising future interns to leverage the connections they will gain through the organization. It has opened her eyes to a whole new horizon of career opportunity in the nonprofit and museum world.
Wilson’s transition from Montana to Nashville has been seamless. She says, “It has been a big change. I am really loving it though…It has been a smoother transition than I expected, but I think that is because everyone is so nice.” Her internship has not only honed her PR skills, but also given her valuable insight into brand management and reputation protection in a singular cultural institution.
Charlotte Lawson, Marketing and Public Relations Intern: R Public Relations
Charlotte Lawson
Charlotte Lawson’s internship at R Public Relations exemplifies the impacts of maintaining professionalism as an intern and how networking can sometimes lead to further opportunities. It all started with a connection on LinkedIn, showing how an appropriate professional profile, with all vital information included, attracts recruiters for great internship opportunities.
Working for R Public Relations, Lawson has had the opportunity to dive headfirst into the creation and management of social media content by handling a variety of client accounts and maintaining relationships with local Nashville entities on a week-to-week basis. The hands-on experience of creating brand-aligned content for clients has given her valuable insight into the practical aspects of digital marketing and communication.
The fast-paced environment of the agency has pushed Lawson to learn and adjust fast, and has improved her time management skills to balance a 20-hour work week with her academic load. The experience not only has sharpened her professional capability but also has prepared her for the demands of a career in marketing.
This internship has enabled her to apply the theoretical knowledge she gained through the Master of Marketing program to her internship, especially in the areas of competitor analysis and brand audits. The ability to directly apply classroom knowledge to her work and vice-versa emphasizes the interdependence between academic learning and practical internships.
Lawson’s advice to prospective Master of Marketing students is to be “professional, but genuine” throughout the recruiting process and to also consider internships that truly interest them. “Be realistic, but incorporating things you are passionate about can also be realistic. There is no reason to walk away from Owen doing something you are not passionate about.”
Lawson’s journey shows how taking on challenges and seeking opportunities to learn can result in great personal and professional growth in the field of marketing.
To learn more about Vanderbilt’s Master of Marketing program or how you can land your own marketing internship, click here.