Marketing Intern Review

I thoroughly enjoyed my placement with Sherwin Williams. When I joined the company was going through an acquisition so I had a year full of many changes which kept me very busy and engaged. The Sherwin Williams marketing team are a great bunch of people and I now fully comprehend that it is definitely the people that make the job. I had so many responsibilities and opportunities here that I couldn't be more thankful for and I will be absolutely gutted to leave.

They never once made me feel like an intern, I was accepted from the start and made to feel like one of them immediately. I think my personality fit with the team so well, so it was effortless. I was treated more like an employee than an intern and that suited me just fine. I have made friends for life.

All the way through. I may have had a few personality struggles initially but I tackled that straight away and now we get on like a house on fire. I have been given a mentor from the start and that massively helped, we were both each other's learning curve and she massively improved my placement. My manager was also one of the best people I've ever met, so down to earth and always there to listen whether I was asking for more work or completely over loaded. All the girls were always there whenever I needed them.

I am busy all day, everyday 99% of the time. There are obviously days when its quiet or not very busy but I am very much a competent worker and like to get things done efficiently and quickly so I was always asking for more work, and as soon as you offer yourself for more work, everyone pounces (in a good way). Being busy is my aim because it stops you clock watching!

I was given endless responsibilities but most of my work was event planning. I was project manager of the Painting and Decorating show, our TV launch, The Sherwin Williams Conference etc. It was great experience and this is where most of my development was made as it incorporated and required a lot of key skills.

I fully believe I have immersed myself into the Marketing world and I believe the skills I have learnt on my journey with Sherwin Williams will massively aid my future studies (It better) Just to understand what aspects of Marketing I want to be a part of because the department is split into sections and you eventually have to specialize, whether that would be digital communications, product or in store. Sherwin Williams gave me that insight to pursue the right job.

Since the acquisition the office has been very quiet. However, the marketing department is always the busiest. There's always two people in regardless of meetings etc. However, the office as a whole is very quiet as meetings are held in both Reading and Sheffield offices so a lot of people are here, there and everywhere but to be honest, it doesn't really affect me.

I feel I could have had a bit more structure but that made me more proactive to reach out and ask for more work or ask to be a part of a project rather than rely on my manager to include me. It meant I got to select which parts I wanted to be involved with.

I was given a two week training program to learn how to present and learn the ins and outs of Valspar - regarding product training and about the business as a whole. I was also invited to attend all inductions with the new agencies which was definitely a bonus. In one week I was in Manchester, Sheffield, Birmingham and Reading.

Sherwin Williams fill spaces when they need them. Although I am always welcome back (depending on vacancy's) I feel that a space would need to be empty in order to get a job back here. In addition due to the acquisition we also now have two marketing departments, in two different locations so I don't think I will be coming back.

I have made real friends with this placement so I was going out with my colleagues in a friendship way rather than because of work. The company as a whole don't do any socials or anything - I think its because it's hard to get everyone to be free at the same time. However there is potential for that to change?

I am from this area originally so I am used to the cost of living here however, I have been told it is quite expensive. Although it isn't London prices so that's good! If you are smart about it, you won't need to fork out hundreds for a good night.

Nightlife in Reading is actually quite good. Plenty of clubs, bars and pubs depending on what you are in to. It's quite a student filled town during term time so there is always something going on regardless. There's so many restaurants and cinemas (the showcase is 2 minutes down the road)

No, I wouldn't say there was much to get involved in through work other than the Christmas meals etc however, Reading university is just down the road and there are plenty of students about to get to know. I think if you get yourself down to the local pubs you'll be absolutely fine!