I applied to MAIP on a whim. MAIP, the Multicultural Advertising Intern Program, had been whispered through the halls of Mizzou's Journalism school for years. Of course, being based in advertising, the program was only talked about amongst Strategic Communication majors. As a Broadcast Journalism major, I heard about it through knowing fellow J-Students who took part in the program. It wasn't until last summer that I really saw an opportunity to insert myself into this space.
Summer 2019, I took on my first internship at CARS.com in Chicago, IL. As a marketing and communications intern, I was tasked with creating weekly company newsletters that highlighted internal and external wins. To make these newsletters, I had to learn Adobe InDesign and Photoshop. I truly fell in love with learning these new programs and asked myself how I could bring these new skills back to Mizzou.
Following the summer, I enrolled in Photoshop and graphic design classes. From these classes, I was able to continue my understanding of these platforms and use them to create graphics for my sorority and revamp my professional resume. Halfway through the semester, a friend of mine and MAIP alum encouraged me to apply to MAIP, seeing that the program would be great for my graphic design skills.
I applied and after months of interviews and patiently waiting, I GOT IN! I had been selected as a social strategist intern for Spark Foundry in New York City. I was through the moon. This showed me that my passions and skills could be enough to support and sustain me in this advertising world.
Even though I wasn't able to get to New York this summer, I am truly so thankful and blessed to have made it so far in the selection process. I have been exposed to so much through MAIP virtual engagement summer alternative. I can absolutely say that I am walking away from this summer a true force to be reckoned with. I still have a lot to learn, but I know I'm on the right track!
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