Josh Brandlen interned at NBC Universal and gained experience in digital media planning and sales.
Why did you choose this internship and what was the focus of the experience?
I chose the internship with NBC Universal because I was interested in a career in high-level sales. I began selling retail at 16 years-old at GameStop. Afterwards, I became a personal trainer and sold fitness packages. NBC Universal appeared as an excellent opportunity to take my skills to the next level, as I got hired on as a Digital Sales Representative for the West Coast Sales division.
NBC involves the intern swiftly and teaches the pace of media. During the internship, I worked often with what are called Media Planners. Media Planners with the Account Executives that secure the deal details. Media Planners take that deal, conceptualize when the commercial (creative) will be aired, and report to the clients. Working with the Media Planners, I tracked the frequency in which these creatives were being aired, and reported that to the Media Planners. NBC features a more egalitarian office structure, meaning everyone has easy access to one another, no matter the role.
How has your internship experience influenced your plans for your future?
My internship at NBC Universal influenced my future plans in that I decided to not pursue a career with NBC after the internship. While it was an interesting experience, I learned a lot, and have put those teachings to work, I don't want to afford the time to wait until I can actually sell. Even though I'm moving away from NBC, I had a nice farewell. Having interned at NBC, getting familiar with a media plan, knowing how to define media, media pricing averages, and media industry standards, I'll be confident when I want to broadcast my creative and negotiated impressions.
What advice do you have for other students as they begin their internship?
When beginning your internship, don't be afraid to be assertive. Yes, you're an intern to help support the team, but you're also part of the team. Remember that you still have a voice when interning, and make sure that roles and expectations are clearly laid out.