Hi. I am Sam Yang, a third year Communication Science bachelor student at the UvA.
From November 2022 to May 2023 I worked as a marketing intern at Elsevier, a publishing company that publishes scientific journals and provides research databases for the academic community. It used to sell scientific journals in their paper form but now Elsevier is making them digital so that customers will purchase the access to use these journals instead of directing owning the research content. It has been one of the biggest companies in the field of scientific publishing and is now expanding its market globally to developing countries like India and China, given their growing impact in science research.
From the moment I stepped into the Elsevier office, I was greeted with warmth and enthusiasm. I felt empowered to contribute my ideas and actively participate in meaningful marketing initiatives. As a marketing intern, I have multiple tasks. One of the most basic tasks is to copywrite promotional emails and make sure they are deployed to our targeted audience, which usually includes universities and other research institutes. The emails provide basic information about the scientific journals and feature a Call To Action button for recipients to click on, which will connect the email recipients to salespersons for journal subscription. I usually draft these emails and implement the text into a HTML file, which will eventually be deployed to our targeted accounts.
Within Elsevier, it is important to acknowledge that, like any large organization, there can be bureaucratic processes that contribute to a slower pace of decision-making and interdepartmental coordination. The intricate structure and size of the company can sometimes result in delays in obtaining approvals or aligning various teams and departments. For example, sometimes colleagues in other department would forget to get back to our project because it was not their priorities, while for my department it was rather vital.
Overall, my internship experience at Elsevier as a marketing intern has been inspiring. The knowledge, skills, and networks I gained during this journey have not only accelerated my professional growth but have also shaped my perspective on the practice of marketing. I am grateful for the trust placed in me, the guidance I received, and the friendships I formed. I wish I could spend more time in the company learning how to be more articulate in a professional manner.