⭐ Internship Blog Post ⭐
For many college students, summer internships are a chance to test the waters in a potential career field. Now that I am four weeks into my Performance Management internship at Cars Commerce, I can confidently say that it is much more than that. This internship has not only been a wonderful introduction into the corporate world, but a transformative experience that is preparing me for the future.
Through this internship, I have had the pleasure of supporting Performance Managers and the Client Services leadership team in their operations and communication with clients. More specifically, I've assisted clients with website updates and enhancements by creating support cases. This not only helped ensure their websites functioned optimally but also provided valuable insights into how website performance can impact customer satisfaction and overall business success. I've also begun to analyze clients' data through Google Analytics to provide insights on website traffic and user behavior. This experience has opened my eyes to the power of data analysis in informing performance management strategies and has helped me further develop my analytical skills. Lastly, another highlight of my internship has been participating in monthly performance review calls with clients which has shown me what clear and effective communication looks like.
While the core of my internship is centered around performance management, I’ve also had the opportunity to tap into other areas such as marketing, digital advertising, and data analytics. From job shadows to coffee chats with company leaders, my experience as an intern has allowed me to network with so many amazing people who are experts in these fields and who truly care about sharing their wisdom and guiding the next generation of professionals.
One particular piece of advice that has resonated with me during this internship is the importance of staying open to possibilities and understanding that we cannot predict what the future will look like. As a first-generation student, I often carry the pressure of having to build a perfect and predictable future for my family and I. However, the amazing people I've met here, especially my supportive supervisor and mentors, have shown me the value of exploring interests, following my gut, and embracing the possibility of changing paths, which I am immensely grateful for.
I would also like to thank Chicago Scholars for all of their guidance throughout this entire process. Thanks to their Emerge: Summer Career and Leadership Program, which I have been concurrently participating in, I have met so many incredible people and have gained a newfound confidence in myself to make my academic and professional dreams come true. This internship, along with the Emerge program, have been a turning point in my career, and I'm excited to see where this journey takes me!
