Story time!
When I started looking for internship, I didn’t know where to start. I knew what I didn’t want; a small company, something close by (I wanted to travel!), something about cars, sports or business to business technology.
By looking around on Linked-In I compared many internships. Taks, benefits, the team, the travel time – so many options. But one caught my eye; L’Oreal Group was by far the best when it came to learning opportunities and benefits and they promised to help me find something that fits perfectly. Every year they hire 60 interns across divisions, so there are definitely some options 😉 A quick tip; start early! I did not know companies started hiring and planning their interns 6 months in advance.
Upon starting my first day I was pretty nervous – as are most! But the team was incredibly welcoming and you are vastly swept away by all the new processes and responsibilities. The first weeks are there to settle in, get acquainted and master those tasks, but as you continue to grow in your role so do the scope of possibilities. I felt very free to use my communication science theories to better the processes I had learnt. A quick tip; use those 3 years of communication science you have behind you! Your knowledge is very much appreciated by the team. 😊
After a couple of months you’ve seen it all. From the glitz and the glamour, like the PR-shootings, office goody bags, invites to colour your hair at work and network borrels, to the long meetings and project deadlines that bring you back to earth. It’s a great combination of learning more about marketing processes, organization and time management, as well as an amazing way to meet new people and learn more about the field of Beauty Tech. L’Oréal Group’s portfolio is filled with great brands, such as YSL, Armani, Lancôme and Prada. Quick tip; make sure you have an interest in the field! That’ll make the job far more enjoyable.
Overall, my experience was definitely exciting, and I learned more than I thought I would. It gave me a great perspective about what I want in my career to come and what my priorities are when choosing my first job. I’d definitely choose to do it again! The only thing to take into account are the 6 free days you’ll get during a 6 months full-time internship. Last tip; spend them wisely 😉 So throughout the 6 months, not all at once or very much towards the end.