Intern Profile: Harry Washington, Marketing 2015

What did you do?
At the Boston Chamber I worked with the communications and marketing team every day. I helped provide insights and innovation by analyzing social media analytics. I helped provide a marketing strategy to boost the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce's outreach. I worked with the communications team to develop topics for weekly TV and radio news segments, and I assisted the public policy team in creating a new Government Platform Dashboard.

How did you get the position?
I got the position through the Chamber's Intern Connect. It is an online database for students to search for tons of internship and job opportunities throughout Greater Boston. Very similar to Isenberg Experience. I first had a phone interview with the marketing director and the VP of communications. After that interview, they called me into the Boston office for my first in-person interview. I met with the communications and marketing team and they asked me all sorts of questions and gave me "what if" situations to see my improvising skills. After that interview I was called back into the office to meet with the VP Jim Klocke and the CEO Paul Guzzi, where I got to ask them questions about what it's like to work at the chamber. A few weeks later I got a conference call saying I had received the internship!

What has your experience been like?
The experience was better than I ever imagined. Every week I got to go to different networking events throughout Boston with some of the biggest companies in the country. My third day I went to Hill Holliday for a meeting, I networked with many CEOs of start-up companies, and as you know, your network is your net-WORTH. I got to work closely with the CEO Paul Guzzi who is a former member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and who you can see on NECN weekly. My second week I went to an intern event hosted by the Boston Chamber where I networked with hundreds of interns from major companies in Boston. I was exposed to so many great opportunities, met so many great people, and was inspired to work even harder.

What advice can you give to other students looking to intern?
My advice for students would be to start looking early. There are so many great opportunities out there, but you have to jump on the bandwagon fast. Network with everyone you meet, you never know what connections they might have. Check out Isenberg Experience and other internship search sites. Send emails to companies. Get your name out there and get your foot in the door.