Promoting entrepreneurship through social media

Head and shoulders of Renée M standing inside the FIMS & Nursing Building atrium

Intern: Renée M.

Position: Social Media and Communications Intern at the Morrissette Institute for Entrepreneurship

The Morrissette Institute is affiliated with the Ivey Business School and provides services to support entrepreneurs within the Western University community.

Tell us about a typical day in your internship?

“During my internship, I had the chance to work in-office at the Ivey Business School twice a week. In the mornings, my time would primarily consist of producing copywriting material for my placement's various social media platforms, designing promotional graphics and print media, and supporting my supervisor with any miscellaneous tasks. In the afternoon, we would typically go around campus and scout out potential event venues, or do event preparation such as gift-bag assembly or decoration planning.”

What skills did you learn and develop in your internship?

“During my internship, I learned how to adapt my writing style to different company tones, design audience-specific graphics and collaborate with a wide range of professionals, while building professional communication skills and navigating the fast-paced nature of professional environments.”

What was a highlight of your internship experience?

“The people I met! I am so grateful to have been surrounded by so many hard-working individuals, each with different stories, strengths and contributions. My supervisor provided amazing mentorship and support during my placement, and being an MIT alum herself, inspired me to be ambitious regarding where I want to take my degree."

What did you find challenging about your internship experience?

“My internship challenged me to overcome feelings of imposter syndrome in the workplace and experience responsibilities that I would have never thought I would like. For example; I had the opportunity to produce social media copywriting which I was hesitant about at first, but once I got into the groove of things it turned out to be lots of fun!

Although social media is not an industry I want to pursue, personally, I now know that if I ever need to step up and wear many different hats for a role, I have the experience and ability to do so.”

How did your internship shape your thoughts on your career/life after FIMS?

“After completing internships throughout my undergraduate degree, I am now much more confident in the value that I can provide to a company post-graduation. Navigating the next steps after completing your educational career can be intimidating, and internships help make the transition from being a student to entering the workforce a much more gradual and comfortable experience.”

What advice do you have for a FIMS student who is considering an internship?

“As an undergraduate student, an internship for credit is the perfect opportunity for you to get hands-on experience in a field without much risk involved. Worst-case scenario, you discover what career path you do not want to pursue. Best-case scenario, you discover a new-found love for an industry or potential career path while making meaningful connections and receiving helpful one-on-one guidance. It's a win-win scenario, so take advantage of it while you can!

While completing an undergraduate degree at FIMS, you may find that a significant portion of your work is theory-based. Internship placements complement your FIMS degree by proving hands-on experience about how to apply what you've learned in the classroom to real-world settings and present the opportunity for you to gain a new skillset without having to commit to a long-term or full-time position.”