Major: Sociology
Minor: French & Geography
Hometown: Singapore
Chapel Executive Intern

How did you learn about this opportunity?

I knew I wanted to work in an advertising agency. I asked friends and family if they knew anyone in the advertising industry and if so, if they could get me in touch with the companies. I emailed my portfolio to various companies and told them I was interested in interning. Langland, got back to me and told me to work out what the VISA requirements were for international interns. I did my research and put together a comprehensive document on what was required of me and of the company. I made the paperwork exceptionally easy for them, forwarding only the necessary documents and handling the rest myself. This made the hiring process as uncomplicated as possible for them.

Tell us a little bit about your experience.

During the first few weeks of my internship, I went through a thorough induction process which detailed what the different departments in the agency did and how they worked together in the company. Subsequently, I was involved in the development of advertising campaigns and pitches, sitting in on meetings and learning about how an advertising agency is run. I found my experience to be very beneficial to my professional and personal growth. I have been able to further develop my skills in design software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro and After Effects while working on projects with real clients and real deadlines. I have also been able to build my professional network. I believe that the opportunity I'v had to work with industry professionals has been invaluable, as it has given me direct insight into the industry’s current best practices. Langland is the world's most creatively awarded healthcare advertising agency and I am proud to have learnt from the best.

I believe that the opportunity I'v had to work with industry professionals has been invaluable, as it has given me direct insight into the industry’s current best practices. 

How did this experience impact you academically?

My internship experience has taught me the importance of being disciplined and careful. As I was working on real projects, I had to be meticulous; I always made it a point to check and double check my work before passing it on. Sometimes the work was tedious and monotonous but I had to stick with it and always give my best as I was representing the company. I also learned to manage my time well as my workload would often get quite heavy and I had to make sure I was meeting my deadlines. I have found these principles to be transferable to my personal and academic life.

What are your career goals and plans?  How did this experience impact them?

The internship will be beneficial to my career goals because I am interested in working in a creative field, specializing in advertising. While researching on graphic designer job posts online and from talking to industry professionals, much emphasis is placed on professional experience and having a good portfolio. I have noticed that most companies refuse to even consider job applicants without prior experience in the field, so my internship with Langland will definitely be helpful in getting my foot in the door. Most places look for at least 1 year of experience, which my additional 3 months of interning will get me closer to (I interned for a total of 9 months at Langland). I am determined secure a graphic design job when I graduate and interning at Langland has definitely helped me build my portfolio, which is mandatory when applying for creative jobs.

Would you recommend this experience to other Liberal Arts students?

I would definitely recommend an internship experience to other Liberal Arts students. There are some things that you just can't learn in a classroom. The hands on experience from interning has also given me insight into the working world and how it functions. Internships are a way to get a taste of what jobs you might be considering and can help you decide whether you want to continue pursuing it or look elsewhere. I've interned at a couple of companies so far and they have all helped me mould a general idea of what kind of jobs I like, I do well in, and also the kind of company culture I thrive in. Often times reading about a job and actually doing it can be two very different things, so it's good if you can test drive by doing a short internship. The professional networking you inevitably do during the internship can also be helpful in securing a job after you graduate. Even if you do not go back to the company you interned for, many times your colleagues know others in the industry and can either recommend you or point you in the right direction. That said, make a good impression and be as helpful as you can and you will find that people want to help you out.