While gaining good experience is important, the connections you make are the ones that will stand the test of time - longer than the skills you develop. The experience of proving your worth among professionals is invaluable and can provide amazing opportunities later down the road.
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Professional Intern
June - August 2018 • San Francisco, CA
What I liked
The work environment was very supportive and fun.
What I wish was different
I wish I had been needed more.
Advice
Internships are so important because school does not teach you what an internship will.
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One person found this helpful
Interior Designer Intern
June - August 2019 • San Francisco, CA
What I liked
Gensler encourages lifelong development and satisfaction of their employees. There were abundant opportunities to learn more about the field, experience the city culture, and bond with my colleagues. Also, wine on tap!
What I wish was different
I wish my husband and dog could have joined me! It was a long 11 weeks without them.
Advice
Apply for jobs and internships that seem out of your league. Be confident in your abilities. Build credentials and experiences you’re proud of and remember to put them on your CV!
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Summer Intern
June - August 2018 • Morristown, NJ
What I liked
Great culture and atmosphere. Working at the office gave me valuable work experience.
What I wish was different
N/A
Advice
Personal network beats conventional employment resources any day. UM should continue their great work on networking events and training students to improve their professional skills.
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Professional Intern
June - August 2022 • Oakland, CA
What I liked
Gensler allowed me to showcase my best work and set a high standard to which all our design teams can aspire. Although I just transitioned into the profession, I have learned how designs shape cities and influence lives for the better or worse. Everything we do is centered around people and elevating the human experience. We must take responsibility and acknowledge that the decisions we make not will not only affect people but can extend to various ecosystems and environments. It is important to recognize different communities, cultures, and backgrounds. Take the time to place yourself in various shoes and try to gain a better understanding of how others view the world and their environments.
What I wish was different
I wished that the pandemic didn't happen. As a consequence to this world's outcome, masks were required in the office and people worked from home. I wish that more people were in the Lifestyle office for my internship experience. Mondays and Fridays almost all team members worked from home. This resulted in me not getting hands-on experience and mentorship 2 days a week.
Advice
Allow yourself to fail, give yourself some grace, and enjoy the process. Design is a very iterative and collaborative process, and sometimes we get so wrapped up in perfecting the final product that we forget to be present at the moment with our team.
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Shared Services Admin
May - August 2022 • Washington, DC
What I liked
It was a great first experience in a professional environment, everybody I worked with was super kind, helpful, and encouraging.
What I wish was different
I wish I had been able to hold the position for longer!
Advice
Approach every internship opportunity you have/get with an open mind and positive attitude. These jobs are often more fun than they may seem initially.
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Interior Design Intern
June 2023 • Las Vegas, NV
What I liked
Learned a lot as an intern and everyone was very welcoming
What I wish was different
nothing
Advice
Do as much as possible and see what you like because they are very willing to give you the opportunity to work on things you like to do
