Summer Marketing Intern Review

My role is to support the Merchant Consultation team as well as complete two projects I have been assigned which help the Merchant Marketing team achieve their goals. Day to day, I network with colleagues in the business, complete actions which help complete my project such as working with an agency, submitting forms for approvals, and data analysis. I connect and align with stakeholders that have an impact on my project, as well as networking to find out more about the business, and to get to know colleagues and fellow interns.

Developed by data analysis skills significantly, as well as my communication skills when working with agencies and stakeholders. I have developed presentation skills, project and time management skills, as well as confidence and decision making. I have also learnt how to problem solve on a larger scale to my previous experience, as well as developing my proactivity skills. I have gained skills in networking, especially in a virtual environment, and how to lead conversations and ask impressive questions to directors.

Yes - I was given two real life projects that I was able to manage end-to-end, rather than an abstract or fake intern project that had no real world effect. I was therefore given the opportunity to connect with a third party agency and lead the creation of a creative for a campaign, as well as deciding all the other details like targeting, timing, theme etc. I was also given the responsibility of connecting with stakeholders and aligning with them in order to launch my project.

I had lots of support. I was assigned a buddy by American Express before I started, and was able to connect with him on email and have a phone call before my internship even started, which helped ease my nerves and get me prepared for the work ahead of me. I am still in contact with him during my internship and message weekly. I also have a second buddy within my team that my manager assigned me, who is there to help me with more team-specific queries, as well as my manager always being on hand to help me out or answer my questions.

Amazing. I was expecting the atmosphere to be very professional, serious, and a little cold, just because it's such a large corporation. Instead, I have been delightfully surprised by how open, fun and friendly all the staff have been at all different levels of the business. Everyone is always happy to have a chat and to help you out as an intern, so it's a really great environment to be a part of. The company culture is also heavily centered around inclusion, diversity, and winning as a team, and this shows both internally and externally.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my internship. The work I have been involved in has been so interesting and exciting to work on, and has given me a real flavor of what I want to pursue in my career journey. My projects have a real world impact so I'm excited to launch them and see the results. It has been an honor to be a part of my team with everyone being so friendly and inviting, and it has been such a great opportunity to help them with their tasks and get to see what their daily roles look like. I learnt more than I thought I would be able to, and have gotten a much better understanding of not only American Express, but marketing as a whole, and have developed my skills to a great extent. I would definitely return to American Express if given the opportunity.

Yes

Be keen and do your research. Remember that as well as wanting someone smart, they also want someone they can and want to work with - you need to have a personality that shines through that is inviting and exciting to be around. Find the fine line between enthusiastic and fake. Have a genuine passion about an area of American Express, and explore that further to discuss in your interview / when you join the company. In the interview, stay calm and stay engaged - and questions are always a good sign of engagement and interest!