By Jacqueline Montejo
As a Boston Private Industry Council intern at Issues Management Group, I stepped into the corporate world for the first time and discovered what it’s like to be in an office.
Before getting to IMG, I wasn’t sure what job best suited me, but I knew I wanted to aim high so that I could look back and proudly say: I did this. Now, six weeks later, I can look back and say that this internship gave me many insights into a professional career and let me investigate what I’d like to do in the future.
One of the lasting memories of my time at IMG was the first meeting I took part in. The energy, laughter, and joy expressed in the meeting piqued my interest and quickly dispelled the myth that an office job is boring. It was a great introduction and excited me for what was to come.
During my internship, I got to work in each of IMG’s core sectors: digital media, public affairs, real estate, and healthcare. Here are some of the highlights from my six weeks.
Digital Media Week
The first sector I focused on was digital media, where I got introduced to design programs. I received training on the program Canva, which is often used to create things like advertisements and social media posts.
To put the training into action, I tried my hand at creating an advertisement for Victoria’s Secret, a company whose branding I admire. That project, and the feedback from my manager, taught me that simplicity can be a strength when it comes to creating advertisements. I also learned the importance of consistency in branding.
Public Affairs Week
Before the start of my public affairs-focused week, I was somewhat apprehensive because I wasn’t sure that government-related work was right for me. Ultimately, I found this week to be very educational and enjoyable.
I was tasked with researching a couple of bills and writing supportive testimony using my own life experiences, which I then sent to my State Representative and State Senator. This was a very powerful exercise because it showed me that, while still in high school, I have a voice and am capable of bringing about change. This week also afforded me the opportunity to visit the State House and to see Massachusetts history up close, which was very cool.
Real Estate Week
During the week I focused on real estate, I had several wonderful and informative conversations with members of the team that helped me to better understand the industry and how it affects me and my community, particularly on housing availability. Some of the research I was given advanced my knowledge further, like what’s behind the slowdown in construction and the opportunities presented by office-to-residential conversions (which I feel is a great solution to the housing issues we’re facing).
Healthcare Week
When I think of healthcare, I typically just think about clinicians taking care of patients. But, during my healthcare-focused week, I was able to dive deeper into the business side and what challenges the sector is facing.
Learning about Steward Health Care and its impact on the local healthcare ecosystem by reading through The Boston Globe Spotlight series. I gained insight into the importance of a healthcare facility working in tip-top shape, and I also really enjoyed reading investigative journalism, as it’s not something I was familiar with prior.
Looking back
From my six-week internship, I gained many skills and lessons to take with me in preparation for my future career. This internship has taught me so much, from professional etiquette, to how to manage databases, to the importance of Microsoft Excel.
One thing I will miss will be the wonderful people and environment I worked in. I had such a wonderful time exploring the office, learning about the PR industry, and refining what I’d like to see in my career. I truly loved the adventure and joy of working in the city. Thank you for the opportunity, IMG!