We’re thrilled to welcome back Emma Stewart to SPC for her second summer internship! Last summer, Emma embarked on her journey through our traditional 13-week rotational program, diving into hands-on experiences across all of our departments. Along the way, Emma narrowed down her interest to our sales department. We asked her a couple of questions to see how it’s going so far.
This is your second internship at SPC. What motivated you to return for another summer and concentrate on the sales department this summer?
Even before completing my initial internship, I realized that I wanted to pursue a sales internship the following year. My experience at SPC sparked a genuine interest in what it’s like to be part of a print sales team. I was also drawn to the idea of working somewhere that’s always looking for new ideas and where there are interesting challenges to tackle every day.
What key differences have you noticed between the sales concepts you learned in school and the practical experiences you encountered during your internship?
In school, we usually have multiple days, sometimes weeks, to prepare before any sales role play or exercise so that we can go in with a clear plan. Here, however, I’ve noticed that the sales team often has opportunities come up unexpectedly that they need to respond to quickly. It’s impressive to see how they can think on their feet and rely on their experience and instincts to handle whatever comes their way.
What has surprised you about working in a sales department?
Working in the sales department has taught me that no two days are ever the same. There are times when I come in expecting a typical day, but then I’ll end up traveling to another city to meet with a client or to visit an agency. I actually really enjoy this spontaneity – it keeps me on my toes and makes every day interesting.
What are you hoping to accomplish in the second half of your internship?
I’m really interested in learning more about how the sales team at SPC approaches their work, specifically their sales process. It’s been great to see each person’s unique style in action and it’s helped me start to develop and shape my own sales process. I’m also looking forward to building my networking skills through the two more trips I have planned with SPC in New York and Washington, D.C.
What has been your favorite part of living in Chicago so far?
My favorite part of living in the city so far is that there is always something to do! In my college town, there’s something new to do maybe once a month if we’re lucky. Here in Chicago, it’s hard to narrow down the options! My favorites so far have been the street festivals, Wrigleyville, Lollapalooza, the lakefront in Evanston, shopping in Wicker Park, the museums, the river walk, and most of all, the amazing restaurants no matter where I am!
