When Communications & Linguistics double major Alex Hamel joined 3 Birds as a sales intern in the fall of 2015, he was looking forward to the chance to learn more about the day-to-day workings of a digital marketing company. However, a unique project gave him the opportunity to not only develop his professional skills, but also to leave a lasting impression at the company.
"[Intern supervisors] Danny and Haley assigned the interns to help develop a new landing page to promote the internship program," said Alex. The project would encompass both the professional and cultural experiences of the 3 Birds internship program and be a resource for future applicants. But the specifics of just how it would do that? That was up to Alex and his fellow interns.
The open-ended assignment provided the opportunity for Alex to work with interns from other departments, including Digital Marketing and Content, to gain a more comprehensive view of 3 Birds' internship program as well as our unique space within the automotive marketing industry. Working in and out of the office, the team bonded over coffee outings and brainstorming lunches while strategizing the best way to bring the project to fruition.
The resulting landing page showcases the diverse experience of the 3 Birds internship program. The page provides information about current internship openings, a spotlight on intern Nadia Schmidt, and guides to the group's favorite coffee shops and lunch spots. The articles and creative assets were all produced by the intern team.
Alex used his photography skills to capture scenes from around the office, then gained familiarity with the 3 Birds Builder application in order to showcase the photos in a gallery component. "It was a great learning experience," he says.
While the interns led the production of the internship program's new online home, various 3 Birds flock members donated their time and knowledge to provide additional development opportunities over the course of the semester. Team members hosted seminars on "Networking in the Social Media Age" and "Post-Grad Interviewing Skills," while the creative department volunteered to produce professional headshots for each intern.
Founders Layton and Kristen Judd made the intern experience a priority when launching the company, including making the decision to situate our Chapel Hill headquarters in the proximity of three well-regarded research universities. Today the 3 Birds internship program is more competitive than ever, drawing applicants from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University, Duke University, and more.
Interns have the opportunity to work side-by-side with account strategists, designers, copywriters, and more to gain valuable skills and workplace experience. Interns also get to participate in team and company-wide meetings, getting a crash course in the 3 Birds core values that define our culture.
While Alex is looking ahead after graduation, he recognizes the value that the 3 Birds internship provides. "I just completed three job interviews and feel like my experience [at 3 Birds] has been beneficial in gaining attention from potential employers."
He's hopeful that future intern teams will continue to develop the internship landing page and come up with new ways to showcase the exciting work going on at 3 Birds. And he also has some extra incentive for those considering whether a 3 Birds internship is right for them: "There are snacks."