The Diary of an Intern: Barbara Quaglieri

altitudemarketing

BarbaraMy senior year at Muhlenberg College crept up on me much faster than I anticipated. After a hectic junior year filled with ups and downs, I knew I wanted my senior year to be the greatest yet – and in that I succeeded – because the past two semesters I spent at Altitude turned out to be the best way to end my college years.

Prior to applying for the internship at Altitude, I applied and interviewed at other places around the Lehigh Valley – all of which resulted in a feeling in my gut that this was not where I was meant to be. I was starting to get discouraged, but I decided to apply for the position at Altitude. From the moment that I walked into Altitude for my interview, I knew I would have a great experience. When I found out that I was selected for the internship, I was ecstatic!

Despite this excitement, I still wasn’t exactly sure what to expect – I didn’t really have any real-life experience, let alone in B2B marketing. However, as soon as I came in for my first day, I knew that I had nothing to worry about as Kelli, Lauren and Kelly were ready to guide and support me throughout the process.

Instead of just doing menial tasks that many would expect with an internship, they had me dive right into the world of PR and social media at Altitude. Kelli and Lauren provided me with a wide variety of tasks each day, and I never ran out of things to do – there was never a dull moment!

I spent my days writing social media posts; writing press releases; researching events, awards, and speaking opportunities; writing and posting content to websites; sitting in on meetings with clients; and even trying my hand at pitching to a reporter.

Not only did Kelli, Lauren and Kelly teach me the ins and outs of working in public relations and social media, but I was also able to learn how each person at Altitude worked together to provide a truly integrated marketing approach for each client. This was something that I was not taught in a college classroom – but opened my eyes and ears to the possibilities of a future career in marketing.

I’m beyond thankful for the invaluable experience, lessons, opportunities and relationships that I’ve had the privilege of gaining during my time at Altitude.

I even learned about all sorts of technology-related trends and knowledge that directly impact Altitude’s clients. Working with such a wide variety of B2B companies showed me that, at the end of the day, every company is different – and what works for one, may not work for another. I saw that it takes time and effort to get to know the clients, their industries and the best way to collaborate to meet their goals.

It was clear to me that my time at Altitude provided me with knowledge and skills that I wouldn’t have gained elsewhere. That’s why when Kelli, Lauren and Kelly asked me if I wanted to continue the internship through my winter break and into my final semester, it was a no-brainer.

Throughout this experience, I ended up surprising myself – in a good way! Even though I doubted myself at times, the Altitude team always pushed me to work outside of my comfort zone. This encouragement contributed to my growth, both personally and professionally.

I know that I will carry everything I’ve learned at Altitude with me throughout my life. I’m beyond thankful for the invaluable experience, lessons, opportunities and relationships that I’ve had the privilege of gaining during my time at Altitude. I couldn’t have imagined spending my last year in college anywhere else!

altitudemarketing