Q&A with Taylor Rouse: The benefits of an extended internship

by Kaitlyn Dickson

Taylor Rouse is a returning marketing intern at Charles Aris who first started in January 2022. After her spring semester, she extended her internship into the summer and now plans to return for the fall semester. Kaitlyn Dickson, a current marketing intern at Charles Aris, sat down with Taylor to dive into the benefits and takeaways she’s experienced from her extended internship term.

Kaitlyn: What made you apply to the Charles Aris marketing internship?

Taylor: I had heard really amazing things about Charles Aris and thought it would be a great learning experience for me to intern here. I had never worked in a professional environment before and wanted exposure to help me prepare for working full-time after I graduate.

Kaitlyn: What benefits did you find from continuing your internship in marketing?

Taylor: I was very excited to continue interning for the summer at Charles Aris. I felt well-adjusted when I came back for the summer and was able to explore different areas after building a foundation of knowledge in the spring. I have learned a lot more about creating graphics and working with social media by helping promote our Bust the Bus event. Overall, I feel that my confidence with projects and interacting with the team has grown greatly. 

Kaitlyn: How have your skills expanded from the start of your internship?

Taylor: I began my internship with no background in marketing, so everything I was exposed to was brand new. However, everyone on the Charles Aris team has always been willing to help or answer any questions, which made it very easy to learn. 

Kaitlyn: How has your experience from a spring semester differed from a summer internship?

Taylor: During my spring internship I was also taking classes full-time, so I had to balance and manage my time well. I learned to stay more organized and to get everything done in a timely manner. In my summer internship, I have been able to turn my whole focus to my work, which has helped me continue growing professionally. 

Kaitlyn: If you could give advice to yourself at the beginning of your internship, what would you say?

Taylor: I would say to take it a day at a time. Starting an internship can be overwhelming, but it is such a beneficial experience. Also, keeping notes of all the information you acquire is helpful so you can refer to it as you work on various projects.

Kaitlyn: What do you feel has been your biggest improvement throughout your internship?

Taylor: Being able to communicate with my team. I am naturally a very shy person, but everyone at Charles Aris is so warm and welcoming and it was easy to open up and interact with everyone. It has helped me build confidence in my ability to communicate on a professional level.

Kaitlyn: What are your key takeaways from your internship experience?

Taylor: To take advantage of as many opportunities as possible. The more you ask, the more you will know! Also, getting suggestions and feedback from your team is very helpful. As you observe what others do, you will be able to implement it into your own work.

Kaitlyn: How are you preparing as you end your summer internship and get ready for your fall internship at Charles Aris?

Taylor: As I close my summer internship, one way I’m preparing for my fall internship is by asking for feedback from my team members. I would like to know what areas I can improve on, so I know what I need to focus on next semester. It is very beneficial to reflect on everything you have learned so far and to then figure out what else you want to learn. My hope for my internship is to explore as many areas as possible so I can be best prepared for a full-time position.

To learn more about how to intern with Charles Aris, visit charlesaris.com/intern-at-charles-aris.