MY WEXO EXPERIENCE: A Smooth Measure of Independence


Internship,John Garden,Sipsmith,STEP,WEXO — Tags: , , , , , — admin @ 11:48 am on February 23, 2011  

I’m part-way through my internship at Sipsmith Independent Spirits, where I’m devising a digital marketing strategy to support the company’s expansion.

Sipsmith is a very idiosyncratic company, with a brand of humour as distinctive as the brand itself. I’ve had no difficulty in picking up the punch lines. Of course, a measure of contentment is laughter. Not only do I chortle regularly, but I’m also whistling as I work. I feel welcome here.

This hasn’t felt like an internship. I have a huge amount of autonomy. Sipsmith relies on the initiative and self-motivation of its people. There isn’t time for nannying interns, that’s for sure, but I can always ask a question. The answer’s always forthcoming.

I haven’t worked in marketing before, so I’ve had to brush up on terminology and methods. It took me a while to adjust to strategic thinking, being more used to creative and academic working methods. However, I feel I understand what I’m doing now, what I’m trying to achieve and how this will, ultimately, help the company. My input is useful, and it’s rewarding to know this.

I wouldn’t have been able to do this internship without payment (using the STEP programme that WEXO promotes) – and quite rightly too. Interns should be paid for good work.

John Garden