Written by Fran Stemme – Summer 2024 Copywriting Intern
This summer, I had the honor of being INNOVATIVE’s inaugural Copywriter Intern! When I applied for this position it felt like a long shot. I never thought I’d actually get a chance to work at one of Indy’s premier creative agencies, at least not as a rising junior in college.
So, when I found out I was going to be spending my summer learning from the renowned storytellers of INNOVATIVE—I was beside myself in excitement!
Heading into this internship, I knew I was going to learn a lot. What I didn’t expect—and could only have hoped—was how much I would transform throughout this experience, not only as a writer but as a well-rounded young professional.
Now, I’m headed back to Indiana University with a full portfolio, a fresh perspective, and twenty more mentors in the marketing space. From writing for SEO to interviewing industry experts, the insights I’ve gained through my time at INNOVATIVE are invaluable, and I know they’re going to help me stand out in the future.
I highly recommend an INNOVATIVE internship to any passionate student writer. It has been the single most influential experience in my professional growth and I learned a lot of essential skills that every aspiring writer and marketer needs to know. Now, I want to take you “inside the i” and share the top five things I learned during my INNOVATIVE internship!
1. Good Writing Doesn’t Follow All the Rules
One of the first lessons I learned at INNOVATIVE was the simple truth that good writing doesn’t follow all the rules. I’ve always loved to write, but somewhere along the way, I found myself stuck in the structures and technicalities of formal academic writing.
While those lessons do have their time and place, I realized that tedious grammar and stuffy rules were blotting out my unique voice—and preventing me from engaging readers. Luckily, I had the opportunity to pen articles for the Life in Indy website!
This taught me a lot about writing for the web and how to strategically use sentence structure to maximize readability and search engine optimization. It also gave me a chance to break up with “thus” and “therefore” in favor of much more fun transitions. Or even to start my sentences with the occasional conjunction—scandalous!
And just like writing, I learned that good marketing doesn’t follow all the rules either. The INNOVATIVE team is committed to doing whatever it takes to deliver the best results for their clients. That often means trying something new and pushing the boundaries of what’s been done before!
2. Rise to the Occasion
There was a lot to love about my INNOVATIVE internship, but the thing I probably appreciated the most was that I never really felt like an intern. I was instantly treated like a valued team member and was given the opportunity to just do what I do best—write.
Don’t get me wrong, my mentors here at INNOVATIVE graciously answered my every question and gave me the tools I needed for success. But they allowed me creative freedom over my projects. They held a high standard for quality of work and allowed me to rise to the occasion.
On day one, I was handed a social media assignment and trusted to write something worthy of being shared with the world. It was so gratifying to see my words published and to receive messages of congratulations from the entire INNOVATIVE team on my very first day!
3. Hands-On Experience is Key
Before coming to INNOVATIVE, I’d spent a lot of time in the academic space learning about journalism and media production. But nothing in the classroom has compared to the experience I’ve gained doing my thing day in and out at INNOVATIVE.
Throughout the summer, I was challenged to write in a lot of styles I’d never tried before. I ghostwrote for industry experts, created original brand taglines, and wrote insider guides. At first, it was a little intimidating to try my hand at something new.
But in the end, it was so rewarding to stop talking about how to write and just plain writing! That’s how I’ve grown so much in only three months, and that’s why I’ve gained so much confidence in my ability to tackle new tasks.
If you think about it, that’s what a career in marketing is all about. You never know when you’re going to get creative, embody a unique brand voice, or leverage an outside-of-the-box tactic. So, it’s been really valuable to practice the skill of trying something new as an intern!
4. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions
The INNO team gave me the space to roll up my sleeves and get to work. But they also supported me every step of the way! I was so fortunate to be mentored by INNOVATIVE’s Lead Copywriter Sarah, who is truly the best writer I’ve ever met.
Sitting next to Sarah every day was a lifesaver. She generously took time to read and edit my work and discuss strategies for my improvement. That’s not something I take for granted, and I believe that one-on-one mentorship is what sets the INNO intern experience apart.
INNO internships are also special because you get to work with the company leaders directly. Nicole, Director of Creative Strategy, was my supervisor, and I really benefited from asking her questions and learning how she approaches marketing as a strategist. She also checked in on me often and really encouraged my writing!
It’s not often that you get an opportunity to pick the brains of the best in the business. So I took every opportunity I could to ask the INNO team questions and soak up as much knowledge as possible. I was always met with nothing but kindness and a genuine interest in my growth.
5. The People Make The Place
Everyone at INNOVATIVE is an expert at what they do, but they never let their genius get in the way of working together! In fact, they leverage each other to sharpen their skills and come up with some pretty outstanding results. That’s why they are so unstoppable.
Being a part of this tight-knit team was huge for me. Not only because I got to see behind the scenes of the company, but also because the INNO team is full of some dang-good people!
I loved talking music with Curt or Ashley, and I could always count on Ted to answer my questions about all things web related. I laughed a lot at Rex’s jokes and got tons of good advice from Conrad and Terry.
I appreciate how the INNO team took the time to get to know me and always made me feel welcome at their home base. Their kindness, camaraderie, and support for each other has changed my perspective about what I value in a workplace—and really set the standard as I look towards my future career!
If you’re looking to break into marketing, INNOVATIVE is the place to be!
As a college student hoping to pursue a career in marketing, I know as well as anyone that it can be tough to find a job these days. The industry is competitive, and opportunities to grow can be hard to come by.
That’s why I am so grateful to have spent my summer at INNOVATIVE. I gained insider insight into Indy’s marketing scene and created lasting connections with industry experts. I became a published writer and got to see the impact of my work. And best of all—I had a great time doing it!
I came to INNO as a storyteller who loved to write but had a penchant for being long-winded. Now, I have a writer’s toolbox that helps me hone my narrative. My stories have gotten much better, and I have the confidence to produce creative content that entertains and calls an audience to action. Better yet, I have a full portfolio to back it up!
I could go on and on about INNOVATIVE, but could never thank them enough for the integral part they’ve played in the development of my career. So, if you’re a student writer who’s ready to break into the creative industry and unafraid of hard work—you’ve just found the perfect place to spend your summer!