As a marketing student, I often hear about the importance of “hands-on learning.” During a time when the communications world looks a little different, I was unsure what “hands-on” might look like working from my bedroom.

I soon learned that a remote internship in no way lacks the connection and experience that make an internship so valuable. On top of that, interning at RITTA has taught me so much more than I could have imagined. I worked on skills such as social media marketing, copywriting, and project management. I also saw what it means to be part of a team; and all the responsibility, communication and commitment that come with it.

So, in looking back on my internship, I’ve picked out my top five favorite memories and experiences from my summer at RITTA. Here they are:

1. Pride Campaign: Planning a Pride Month campaign for RITTA’s social media was the first project with which I really got involved. After a valuable conversation with Damian, RITTA’s Traffic Manager, I came to understand that social media for Pride Month is more than just a one-and-done affair; it should build throughout the entire month. I helped craft a campaign that centered around this idea of crescendo. In our messaging, we spoke about giving back and paying it forward. We ended the campaign by stating that the work does not stop here.
2. BMW Social Media Copy: Next, I got to write copy for BMW Performance Driving Center’s social media. This was such a fun challenge, as it really tested my copywriting skills when it comes to matching the established voice and engaging audiences.
3. Shadowing RITTA’s Social Media Coordinator: Throughout my time at RITTA, I was so lucky to work closely with Melissa, who manages social media. She took me through her day-to-day tasks and taught me important parts of the job such as paid social media, advertising through retargeting and analytics. These were such valuable lessons that I feel put me ahead of my peers.
4. Holiday Copy for University Reproductive Associates: Another highlight of my internship was working on a fertility clinic’s social media, specifically writing copy for holidays, such as Father’s Day. I loved being able to add to the feelings of joy and familiarity that characterize their messaging.
5. Morning meetings: Every morning, some of the RITTA team come together to debrief the day and make sure “nothing falls through the cracks,” as Damian always likes to say. This simple, routine way to start the workday was so special to me, as it really cemented the feeling that I was part of the team, and it affirmed that being part of something like this is where I see myself in the future. The fast-paced environment is so exciting to me, and these meetings always got me hyped for the work I’d be doing that day.

This list does not begin to fully cover all the things I loved about my internship at RITTA. I am so grateful for all the team members who took time to teach me. Through their passion for their work, I was able to find my passion as well. Thank you, RITTA, for the amazing experience, special relationships and invaluable life lessons. It was truly a summer like no other.