Ryan the Intern – Apple “Rookie of the Year”
The first couple months of working at the Michigan Apple Committee have come and gone. On one hand, I feel I have been working here for years, already gaining immense amounts of experience pertaining not only to Michigan Apples, but the Marketing and Communication tools that go along with my studies at MSU. On the other hand, my journey as the MAC intern has only just begun. It seems like just yesterday I received the phone call from Gretchen, my supervisor, offering me the position. I think she could hear my smile through the phone.
After I accepted the job, I wasted no time notifying everyone in my contacts. Yes, I was that thrilled. Friends and family began to ask me questions about MAC and what my role will be there. My answer at the time, “I don’t really know…”
Now, summer is gone and fall semester is underway. My main task thus far has been writing. Whether it’s newsletters, blogs, Facebook posts, or whatever else you can think of, I am down for it all. As I quickly learned, however, it is extremely tough to write about apples, when your knowledge on the subject is minimal.
Luckily, I have a great mentor, awesome co-workers and of course, handy Google to help me learn a thing or two about those crisp, juicy Michigan Apples.
One of my first tasks as the MAC intern was to edit stories to be put into the monthly E-newsletter. As I began to read these stories, I started to pick up on what’s necessary to make the perfect apple. I was educated on Michigan’s climate, tools necessary to keep apples from being damaged and why Michigan is where apples love to grow.
As the weeks pass, I am beginning to take on more responsibility than I had ever imagined. The term ‘intern’ often has such a negative connotation. It brings up pre-existing beliefs of being a gopher – grabbing coffee for the office and doing the work no one else wants to do. As the MAC intern, I’ve been assigned several writing tasks to be published in magazines, newsletters and editorials. I’ve created detailed communications reports and spreadsheets for media tracking. One of my favorite tasks as the MAC intern has been sitting in on meetings with Weber Shandwick, a marketing and PR firm, to discuss and develop our new consumer education social media campaign. These are just a few of the many projects I’ve been assigned and I’ve learned so much from each and everyone.
Although most might still consider me a Michigan Apple freshman, I think I’ve gained enough apple knowledge to claim the title of Michigan Apple Rookie of the Year. Although, I am the only intern, so I suppose this isn’t the hardest title to earn, but I’ll take it.
So far, being the MAC intern has been nothing but great. I look forward to the rest of the internship and can’t wait to see what else it has in store for me.
