My 2023 Summer Internship Takeaways

The Value of a Strong Company Culture?

The foundation of my experience at Duco and the performance of the company, in my opinion, lies within the company's culture. Duco’s culture is supportive, collaborative and welcoming, and the company deeply values the development of its team members. Starting late June, I was immediately welcomed by the whole company via Slack, and many more excited team members via LinkedIn. This atmosphere of support and collaboration was further evidenced by the many meaningful and career-guiding meetings I had with a wide variety of team members, including the most senior executives in the company. These meetings helped me to feel increasingly confident in my role and part of the team. Duco’s culture has not only fostered a positive working environment but has also significantly contributed to my personal and professional growth.?

One of the standout features of this internship that further exemplifies Duco’s focus on professional development was the opportunity to explore different roles through various rotations. From Sales Researcher to Sales Operations, and Sales Enablement to Business Development, I had the privilege of working with a diverse set of teams within the organization on a variety of different types of tasks and responsibilities. This exposure not only broadened my skill set and knowledge base but also provided me with a holistic perspective on the interconnectedness of different departments. It's clear that Duco values a comprehensive understanding of its operations, enabling even interns like me to develop a well-rounded skill set and a deeper appreciation for the intricacies of what makes their business thrive.

Resilience & Confidence are key to sales

Embarking on this summer internship journey, I realized that sales is far from easy. My prior experience was limited, mainly involving childhood lemonade stands, so I entered with a mix of eagerness and nervousness. As the initial weeks unfolded, I swiftly discovered that resilience and confidence were the most critical attributes of a successful salesperson. Following the successful completion of an extensive onboarding process during the initial two weeks, I enthusiastically became a part of the weekly discovery call practice sessions. These sessions involved the BDR team role-playing diverse personas in their calls, further enhancing my understanding of effective communication strategies. It was through ample repetition that I truly understood the phrase "practice makes perfect."?

Fast-forwarding to week six of the ten-week program, I took the plunge into selling directly to Duco’s prospective clients. Admittedly, I initially stumbled but progressively built my confidence and effectiveness. With time, I found myself excited to call and email prospects, a testament to the transformation that consistent practice yields.

The Importance of developing my Personal Brand

One of the most profound takeaways from my summer internship with Duco has been the importance of cultivating my own personal brand—a concept that I now recognize as one of the cornerstones of professional growth. This summer has shown me that in the dynamic and competitive arena of the professional world it's important to truly stand out and distinguish yourself.

Guided by this principle, Duco's Intern program demonstrated a remarkable commitment to helping us develop our personal brands. The program's emphasis on enhancing our digital presence, including updating LinkedIn profiles, resumes, and interview skills emphasized the significance of building our own narrative. As I move forward, I carry with me not only industry insights, but the profound understanding that building my personal brand fosters lasting success. I’m committed to continuing to build my online presence and distinguishing my unique experiences and skills - starting with writing this post!?

The favorite piece of advice I received from one of the executives at Duco was this:?

“You're young, this is a time to take risks and find out what you enjoy doing. Make mistakes, learn from them, and find your own success.”