My internship with digital marketing agency Social Beat has been one of the most fruitful experiences of my professional life. I understood the varied functions of a digital marketing agency but what I learnt in those months was not limited to the domain of digital marketing. I also got to experience first-hand the infectious energy and enthusiasm of a young and buzzing team.
Marketing is an art
Prior to my time with Social Beat, the only exposure I had to digital marketing was what I saw on the internet. Having worked in the IT industry before, it was an area I wanted to try my hand at. Therefore, I grabbed the opportunity to intern with them and during my short tenure there, I witnessed the importance given to brainstorming and innovating. It was a completely new experience for me. Fifty years’ worth of marketing debate notwithstanding, I realised that marketing is an art. According to me, attributes such as creativity and changeability made it more of an art than a science, which is one of the thoughts I carried forward while deciding on my specialisations.
Choosing a specialisation
When it comes to specialisations Loyola Institute of Business Administration (LIBA) believes in a more focused approach. Unlike other colleges, LIBA requires us to choose a particular stream for the second year of MBA, because of which you not only step into placements with a clear understanding of what you want your career look like but it also lessens the pressure on you during placement week. It leaves you free to invest all your energy into choosing the right company.
Being a part of the students affairs committee of LIBA, organising festivities and creating a positive environment has always been a passion of mine. So, choosing HR as one of my specialisations was a given. The tough part was choosing my second specialisation as LIBA also allows you the luxury of dual specialisations.
Business analytics
Business analytics, a buzzword often heard in today’s business world, was another stream that tempted me. Having spent considerable time in the software industry I was comfortable enough with business analytics as a career choice, but what clinched the deal for me was LIBA’s collaboration with TCS. This association bridged an enormous gap between academics and the industry, and made sure that the course was tailored keeping in mind academic considerations as well as professional requirements.
Getting to know myself
I used to think of myself as someone who was a natural marketer. Few get a second chance in life to make a well-informed career choice. I, through my internship, was one of the lucky few who got the opportunity to try out marketing without having to commit to it as a long-term career choice. During my short but insightful internship experience, I came to realise that my ultimate aim is to find that balance between loving what you do and being good at it.
In conclusion, my internship helped me gain insights into not only myself but also on the clarity on my career choices.
(The writer is a student of Loyola Institute of Business Administration.)