The day begins as I start my morning routine, I’m ready to dive into another productive day at Appily SAS, a company at the forefront of digital personal development. Here’s a look at my typical day during my internship at the Fundraising & Development department.
Morning: Analyzing Data and Strategy
My day usually starts with reviewing the latest data from our projects, particularly the “Health Empowerment South Africa” (HESA) campaign. This initiative focuses on HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention. My role involves developing fundraising strategies, so understanding the data is essential. I analyze survey results, participation rates, and social media engagement metrics to understand how effective our messages are.
Next, we have our morning stand-up meeting. Our team discusses progress, shares insights, and sets priorities for the day. Today, we’re focusing on refining the copy of our fundraising pitch, to which I will apply loss-frames, as they are shown to increase donation intentions based on scientific literature and my recent analysis.
Mid-Morning: Content Creation and Team Collaboration
With the strategy outlined, I move on to content creation. Crafting messages that resonate with our diverse audience requires creativity and attention to detail. I work with the marketing team to develop content for the HESA campaign, including social media posts, infographics, and videos.
Collaboration is key, and I learn a lot from my colleagues. For example, how our loss-framed messages can emphasize a sense of urgency through visual means. Applying communication theories in this practical context is a valuable learning experience, as it feels like the key to bridging university and real life.
Lunch: Networking and Informal Learning
Lunchtime is a good opportunity to network, learn from my colleagues, and enjoy everyday chats. Appily encourages socialising, so conversations from digital health trends to new-found hobbies can be both educational and uplifting.
Afternoon: Research and Proposal Development
In the afternoon, I focus on research and proposal development. I design and administer surveys to assess the impact of our digital campaigns. Using statistical software, I analyze the data to measure changes in knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours among our target audience. This research helps us refine our strategies to ensure the HESA campaign meets its objectives.
I also draft fundraising proposals, highlighting the social impact of our campaigns to attract stakeholders’ support. This task requires a thorough understanding of the project and the audience. Receiving positive feedback from the marketing team and stakeholders is rewarding and boosts my confidence.
Late Afternoon: Reflective Meetings and Future Planning
As the day winds down, I participate in reflective meetings with my supervisor. These sessions are essential for discussing my progress, receiving feedback, and aligning my learning objectives with practical outcomes.
Finally, I plan for the next steps, whether setting goals for the coming week or brainstorming new ideas for future campaigns. I end the day with a sense of accomplishment and a clear direction for what lies ahead.
Conclusion: A Valuable Internship Experience
My internship at Appily SAS has been a valuable learning experience. It has provided me with practical skills and insights that will be useful in my future career. From developing effective communication strategies to conducting meaningful research, each day offers new learning opportunities.
For students considering an internship, I recommend seeking opportunities that challenge you, align with your interests and help you grow professionally in an open and inviting environment. As I look ahead, I am eager to apply the knowledge and experience gained during this internship to future challenges and opportunities.