COACHING
Coaching
Marketing Interns
By Thrity Engineer-Mbuthia
I
n my last article, I highlighted some
cases about professionals who choose
to moan as compared to others who
look at the situation and find a way
forward for themselves.
A young man reached out to me – a
student of marketing, who has sat in a few
of my classes, and who truly has a passion
for the profession.
Ian Chomba is a third year student
studying marketing at a private university.
He is a typical millennial, in a hurry to
get ahead in his career, and absorbing
knowledge along the way, very much like a
sponge. His e mail signature says he is the
Managing Director of Flavours Juice Bar,
which tells me he is also an entrepreneur.
Where better to practice what you learn
than in your own business.
A typical student of business has, as part
of his course, to undergo an internship.
Many students struggle to find internships.
Some tell you about how hard it is to get a
company that will give you an opportunity
to do an internship with them. Others
have tales about how the internship
experience was a complete waste of time,
where they learnt very little.
On the part of organizations, companies
are always looking for ‘low cost labor.”
Marketers in particular are often involved
in complex projects, and having an extra
helping hand is most welcome. But have
you ever stopped to think about what
interns are really looking for? What do
they hope to experience as they come
through the doors, starting their careers,
hopes and dreams.
What do you do my fellow marketers? Do
you ignore interns? Do you yell at them?
Do you mentor them or use coaching skills
to help them see the best in themselves?
And students as well, what does it mean to
be a memorable intern? One who is called
back the minute there is an open slot.
This is what Ian would like to share with
you all. This was how our conversation
went down as a matter of fact.
A typical student of business has, as part of
his cou rse, to undergo an internship. Many
students struggle to find internships. Some tell
you about how hard it is to get a company that
will give you an opportunity to do an internship
with them. Others have tales about how the
internship experience was a complete waste of
time, where they learnt very little.
20 MAL22/18 ISSUE
What are you studying to
become a professional mar-
keter?
I’m studying Bachelor of Commerce
marketing major and on the side doing
Chartered Institute of Marketing
professional course - currently going
studying for the professional diploma.
What work experience if any
do you have so far?
Currently I Intern at Bluegas Limited, an
LPG firm based in Nairobi as a marketing
assistant. Previously, I worked for two
short stints at Treetop Juices and Instant
Pest Limited.
What’s your opinion about
internships from a student’s
point of view - do they serve
any purpose?
Despite the common reason why we all
go to internships to put classwork into
practice, I have so far found internships
interesting. I know speaking of experience
while it’s just 3 weeks in, might sound
comical, but it’s been a handful so far.
The networks one can build is one
huge purpose of the internship and the
possibility of meeting the future employer
has been so real. Also any student right
now can agree with me that some extra
money going in our pockets is something
highly desired.