Minnesota State Fair

Marketing Intern

May - September 2019 • Saint Paul, MN

What I liked

I loved my summer at the fair! The staff is super friendly and are open to letting you try new things and wear a lot of different hats. I primarily worked on social media, but had the opportunity to get my hands on advertising, media pitches, copy editing, data entry, and more. You also get to meet a TON of cool people and make a lot of connections with professionals from around the twin cities since they all come together for The Great Minnesota Get-Together!

What I wish was different

I was the only intern in my department so it felt a little weird at first to be thrown in with all the full-time and well-tenured staff. But, they were super welcoming and inclusive so I had a great time regardless!

Advice

Be open to trying new things, you'll have the chance to learn a lot more that way. Also, try to soak it all in! The whole summer leading up to 12 jam-packed days can feel overwhelming, but looking back it's given me great perseverance and quick problem-solving skills, not to mention the great stories.

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Sign Shop Intern

June - August 2018 • Saint Paul, MN

What I liked

I liked that every day was different. In the beginning we spent more time indoors working on projects, but as the summer went on we spent more time outdoors physically installing signs. I wore many hats in this job and did a lot more than just design. Oftentimes our printed designs needed post-production work , like trimming, sewing, grommet holes, and installation (usually involving the use of power tools), all of which I did alone or with a second pair of hands, but never was a project just handed off to someone else to complete.

What I wish was different

Although I feel more confident in my craftsmanship skills from the printing process, use of power tools, etc., I didn't feel like I earned new design skills. Yes, I was able to use the skills I already had (like practice), but I don't know if I found the internship very challenging or educational in the terms of design.

Advice

Keep an open mind, the job is more than just designing on the computer but it can be so fun if you just keep a positive mindset. I got along extremely well with my supervisors which was also a huge bonus. Make sure you use sunscreen too, you'll spend a lot of time outside in the summer sun! :)

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