Hear from Past Interns

Hear from our Summer 2024 Interns about their experience at WTCSav.

Q1: How has the WTCSav Internship Program prepared you for entering the job market?

Ella Randall: The WTCSav internship has prepared me for entering the job market by expanding on my understanding of marketing, economic development and community development. Throughout the internship, I learned about the significance of global education, protocols, content planning and trade research. Conducting research and engaging in hotel and venue outreach helped me build confidence in my marketing skills, providing a strong foundation as I step into my career.
Chris: The WTCSav internship gave me firsthand experience being in a professional environment, professional opportunities by meeting business leaders in the community and personal growth.
Stephen: The WTCSav internship provided invaluable experience by exposing industry leaders and giving insights and knowledge that go beyond academic learning. This experience has equipped me with deep insight into the film industry, enabling me to make wise and strategic choices about my career.

Q2: What advice do you have for current students looking to get an internship?

Ella Randall: My advice for current students is to be intentional about how you present yourself and your goals. There is always an opportunity to distinguish yourself and to be authentic about what you have in mind for your future career. Don’t be afraid to reach out via LinkedIn to ask questions and to put yourself out there!
Chris: I would suggest networking with professors and reaching out to potential employers to make connections.
Stephen: The best advice I can offer is to simply focus quality over quantity of applications. Tailor a resume and cover letter that bring out your relevant experiences best, then polish up your pitch and interview skills to be that unique, valuable candidate.

Q3: What was the most rewarding part of your internship? What have you learned?

Ella Randall: The most rewarding part of my internship has been fully immersing myself in the brilliant work that World Trade Center Savannah does. I have learned what it means to be a part of a global network and how each task, event and meeting contributes to fostering international trade, supporting local businesses and promoting economic growth.
Chris: The most rewarding part of the internship was preparing Savannah for the Netherlands Royal Couple visit which was a great honor for Savannah, as well as, helping various international trade missions visiting Savannah. The Dutch delegation was a blast – I had a lot of fun networking with the group.
Stephen: Networking and association were definitely the most enriching part of my internship. Outreach, interesting projects and industry people added to my experience and growth.

Q4: What do you wish you knew before interning that you would like to share with other students?

Ella Randall: I wish I had realized just how quickly the internship would go by! To make the most of the experience, I recommend immersing yourself fully in the program and taking advantage of every opportunity to engage with staff members around the office. Be proactive in seeking ways to become as involved as possible, so you can discover what you truly enjoy and excel at in a professional setting.
Chris: I wish I knew how willing the staff members are to teach and share what they do on a daily basis. Everyone in the office has a different role and I wish I had known to take more time to ask what they do and how their role relates to economic development.
Stephen: Mistakes are necessary and a great way to learn. It is also very important not to be afraid to admit what you don’t know and to ask for help from people in a friendly environment to make your journey far better.

Q5: Would you recommend other students complete WTCSav’s internship program? If so, why?

Ella Randall: I would absolutely recommend the WTCSav internship to other students! This experience allowed me to be a valued and challenged team member. Everyone at WTCSav is eager to share their industry knowledge and help you apply it to your unique career goals. Each day I walked into the office, I felt challenged, encouraged and inspired to take on new responsibilities. This internship is an excellent way to gain real-world experience and build a professional network that will benefit your career.
Chris: Absolutely! The people at WTCSav and SEDA are awesome! We had such a fun work environment where we shared many laughs while encouraging international trade and strengthening the economic future of Savannah!
Stephen: I wholeheartedly recommend the WTCSav Internship to anyone interested in making a career out of film. This opportunity gives collaboration on impactful projects and makes interns more knowledgeable about international and local economic factors playing a role within this industry, rendering it a real comprehensive learning experience for not only the film industry but also the other industries that impact it.