Starting my marketing internship for Door County Adventure Center, I had no idea what to expect. Coming from Illinois, I had never been to Door County before (and only been to Wisconsin a few times). I was nervous to move to a new place with new people for the whole summer, but I was excited to gain marketing experience and move away from home.
As soon as I arrived at the intern house, I knew that I made a great decision to spend my summer in Door County. All of my teammates made me feel welcome and included right away. A week-long orientation helped us learn how to work together as a team and also get to know each other. Soon we became close friends. It was so much fun going on all of the kayak and zip line tours, as well as learning a little more about what this company has to offer. This internship exceeded all my expectations and truly was a summer that I will never forget.
In the first marketing meeting, we went over and divided roles between the three marketing interns. I chose to manage the Twitter and the Snapchat accounts, two platforms that I was looking forward to gaining experience in. One of the best parts of this internship was that I actually got to use things that I learned in school and apply them to real work for a great company.
I was able to use my skills in social media strategy, writing, photography and videography to promote the company online. In addition, I learned how to use Google My Business, how to target specific audiences through marketing, and how to market to consumers through email. I also gained valuable customer service skills and marketed to businesses in person by handing out posters around Door County. This was a such a fun way to promote our business and get to know the area better!
Aside from marketing, I worked as a reservationist, answered phone calls, booked tours, and learned a lot about kayaking and zip lining. Working at the beach, I gave many paddle lessons, sent out rentals, and even learned how to ride our rescue jet ski! Working in many different roles helped me to be versatile and adapt quickly to what each day had in store.
I initially thought that I would spend this summer in an office, and I was looking for a “professional” internship to boost my resume for the future. Little did I know that I could get the same experience while working outdoors and having fun! Along with gaining valuable experience in my field, I was able to spend my summer in a beautiful new state and make the most amazing new friends. If you’re thinking about applying for this position, I promise you won’t regret it! I will always remember the memories I made in my summer with Door County Adventure Center.
