How My Internships Helped Me Find My Career Direction

When I started college as a marketing major, I knew I was interested in the field, but I had no idea which direction I wanted to take. Marketing includes so many different paths, and without much experience outside the classroom, it was difficult to know where I fit.

Over the past three summers, my internships have helped me answer that question. Each experience introduced me to something different and eventually led me toward eCommerce and Amazon.

Discovering eCommerce

The summer going into my sophomore year, I began my first internship as an Amazon eCommerce Intern at Apex Tool Group. At that point, I had very little professional experience and knew almost nothing about the tool industry.

Tools are also part of a traditionally male-dominated field, so I was stepping into an environment and product category that were both new to me. Instead of allowing that to hold me back, I learned to ask questions, become comfortable with unfamiliar products, and approach the industry from the customer’s perspective.

This internship also changed the way I viewed Amazon. Before then, I only understood the platform as a shopper. I had never thought about all the work behind a product listing or how advertising, keywords, titles, and content influence whether a customer finds and purchases a product.

Working on Amazon campaigns and seeing how my decisions contributed to actual results made me want to learn more. It was my first sign that eCommerce might be the right direction for me.

Exploring More of Marketing

The summer going into my junior year, I worked as a Marketing Intern at CloudBlazer. This role allowed me to step outside of eCommerce and explore email marketing, social media, SEO, website content, and reporting.

The experience helped me understand how different digital channels work together to shape a customer’s experience with a brand. It also showed me that I enjoy both the creative and analytical sides of marketing. I liked creating content, but I was most interested in projects where I could measure the results and understand what was working.

That fall, I studied abroad in Florence, Italy. Living in a different country pushed me even further outside of my comfort zone and helped me become more independent and open to unfamiliar experiences.

Returning to eCommerce

The summer going into my senior year, I joined Atlas Copco’s Edmac Compressor Parts division as an eCommerce Intern. This brought me back to Amazon and eCommerce, but I returned with more experience and confidence.

Once again, I entered a technical, traditionally male-dominated industry. This time, I was less intimidated by what I did not know. I understood that product knowledge would come with time and that asking questions was part of doing the job well.

Through my work with Amazon advertising, product content, photography, videos, and website updates, I became even more certain that eCommerce is where I want to build my career. I especially enjoy working with Amazon campaigns because they allow me to research, make decisions, review performance, and continue improving.

My internship was eventually extended into the school year, giving me the opportunity to keep building my skills while completing my senior year.

Finding My Direction

I did not find my career direction through one class or one defining moment. It happened gradually as I tried new things and paid attention to the work that made me want to keep learning.

My experiences also taught me not to count myself out because an industry or product is unfamiliar. Working with tools and compressor parts was not what I originally pictured when I chose marketing, but those opportunities helped me become more adaptable, confident, and willing to speak up.

For students who are still unsure about what they want to do, my advice is to stay open to opportunities. You do not need to have your entire career planned at the beginning of college. Sometimes, finding the right path starts with being willing to try something you never expected.