INTERNSHIPS are an excellent way for students and recent graduates to gain valuable experience in their field of study. They offer a chance to apply classroom learning to real world situations, develop new skills, and make important connections in your industry of choice. Just ask Red Stripe interns Hanna Turner and Chantalle Bryan.

Having earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing, Turner has jump-started her career with a one-year internship at the company. Not only has she learnt global methodologies, she also learned how to thrive within a dynamic and high-velocity work environment.

“Before my internship with Red Stripe I had a permanent role with another company so accepting this position was a sacrifice, however it has been one of the best decisions I have ever made for my personal and professional growth. I have got hands-on experience in my desired field and I am a part of a team that values my opinions and integrates me in a complete way, which has been so rewarding,” she said.

Turner says her internship has given her a sense of focus on how to shape her career. “My proudest moment at Red Stripe has been our recent staging of Guinness Sounds of Greatness. The management team allowed me to be a part of the entire journey — from conceptualisation to execution — guiding me where necessary and applauding me when I excelled. I have learnt so much here and am glad to have experienced a team like this.”

When it comes to marketing, Bryan has always had a passion but instead pursued her studies in food service management. After achieving her bachelor’s degree in 2019 she decided to do more research in the marketing industry. She is now pursuing a master’s degree in integrated marketing communications, and her internship with Red Stripe has been a journey of passion and growth in more ways than one.

“I have always had a passion for the creative industry and public speaking, especially with my energetic personality and my love of learning and talking, so I joined the amplified mentorship programme — an ongoing partnership with Red Stripe and Joel Nomdarkham. When the internship opportunity arose I was extremely nervous, especially because I lacked experience and felt like a lone ranger doing my own little thing. However, Red Stripe granted me the opportunity, and it has been so valuable to me.”

She continued: “Though nervous, I reminded myself that an internship is a growth journey, and you don’t need to know everything. I currently work with the trade marketing team where I have learned much about the field. Not only has the team taught and given me practical experience in marketing, they have also realised my passion for public speaking and engaged me on numerous occasions to develop those skills.”

Human Resource Manager Judon Bowden said the company’s internship programmes identify new talent and infuse the business with fresh perspectives.

“Interns bring a unique vantage point to a company’s everyday operations and methodologies. We’ve been lucky to find people like Hannah and Chantalle who each bring fantastic energy to their teams. We have learned as much from them as they have from us.”

According to Bowden, internships should be seen as a career dress rehearsal. “To truly harness the potential of these experiences, interns are urged to quench their thirst for curiosity, foster their capacity to adapt, and embrace the challenges. Interns excel when actively pursuing knowledge, welcoming constructive feedback, and extending their reach beyond familiarity. Recognising that each task — regardless of scale — enriches their experience is crucial.”

When quizzed about the singular most important trait for a great intern, Bowden said, “Curiosity.” He also offered the following tips on how to excel at an internship.

Set goals: Create a learning plan to define your objectives and monitor your growth beyond the job responsibilities.

Go above and beyond: Being a good intern involves meeting requirements but surpassing expectations makes you stand out and leaves a lasting impression. Excelling can make you memorable and potentially influence future opportunities through positive references.

Learn from everyone else: Use your internship to connect with professionals across various fields. Engage with peers and leaders to tap into their wealth of experience.

Ask for feedback: Don’t be afraid to ask for input and step outside your comfort zone. The feedback will help to grow your perspective, acknowledge what is going well, and help you to know how you can be even more impactful.

Leave a positive impression: Ensure your attitude towards work, towards others, is positive and constructive and shows a professional who is ready to go places.