Intern Insights: Lessons and Growth from a Semester in Advertising

This semester, our interns immersed themselves in the world of advertising, tackling creative challenges, mastering new skills, and embracing collaboration. Their unique perspectives and growth have been inspiring, and we’re sharing the lessons they’ve learned and the moments that made their experience unforgettable.

The focus on learning and professional growth at CP has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my experience here. My leaders consistently challenged me to explore new technologies and elevate my thinking. As a result, I’m leaving CP with a deeper understanding of how to uncover an audience’s motivations and interpret them effectively.

The most valuable lesson I’ve learned is the creativity that comes with being a strategist. It’s not just about gathering research—it’s about translating insights into relatable, human terms that illuminate what drives an audience. CP’s approach of thinking like a cultural anthropologist, rather than just a strategist, has completely reshaped how I approach consumer research and insight development.

Ella Schroeder, Strategy Intern
Boston University

I believe that we grow through challenges, and learning to use Adobe Premiere was no exception. At first, editing with this tool felt difficult and frustrating, but I didn’t let that hold me back. Through hard work and persistence, I was able to overcome the obstacles it presented. Now, I’m both proud of my progress and confident in my ability to tackle similar challenges in the future.

This internship also gave me a deeper understanding of how complex launching an ad campaign truly is. With so many moving parts and people involved at different stages, I’ve gained a new appreciation for the process. While I initially focused on the creation of materials, I now have a greater respect for the importance of pre-production.

Abby Rhodes, Maker/Video Production Intern
Clark University ’24

My time at CP taught me more than just technical skills—it nurtured a sense of curiosity that pushed me to dig deeper, question the numbers, and approach problems with a “how can I improve this?” mindset. I also honed my ability to communicate data insights clearly, making them accessible to anyone, no matter their familiarity with data.

One of the most rewarding experiences was a team sharing session where we learned from each other’s journeys. Hearing how my teammates tackled challenges and grew through their experiences was truly inspiring. These sessions weren’t just about exchanging knowledge—they were about building connections, growing together, and understanding how collaboration elevates us all.

Mia Park, Analytics Intern
Boston College

The most valuable lesson I’ve learned at Connelly Partners is the importance of simply starting creative projects, even when the direction isn’t fully clear. Some of my projects came with vague or limited guidance, and I realized that taking those first steps, instead of getting “stuck” at the beginning, is essential. Now, I feel more confident starting projects with minimal direction, knowing I can refine and adjust as I go.

This internship also showed me just how collaborative this industry is. While I knew creative production required teamwork, I discovered that advertising-specific production involves even more moving parts than I had imagined. Working alongside my fellow interns gave me a firsthand look at how every department plays a unique and vital role in bringing advertising projects to life. This experience has illuminated aspects of the industry I hadn’t fully understood before.

Shayna Smith, Creative Production Intern
Boston University

Although I studied advertising in school, there’s so much they don’t teach you about how an agency operates or the many roles and people that make it all come together. During my internship, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of how agencies run and how they collaborate with clients. I’ve also had the chance to discover more about my own design style while exploring different approaches. Designing for a wide range of clients has challenged me to adapt my style to fit their unique needs, which has been both exciting and rewarding.

One of the things I love most about what I do is concepting and brainstorming ideas. There’s something so energizing about sitting down and coming up with countless ways to tackle a brief or meet a client’s goals. I also enjoy expanding on those ideas and figuring out how to bring them to life. On top of that, working with others has been incredibly rewarding. I love connecting with people, and I truly believe that collaborating can take ideas to a whole new level.

Juliana LaPorta, Art & Design Intern
The University of Alabama

During my internship at CP, I thoroughly enjoyed getting hands-on experience with influencer partnerships, managing social media accounts, and content creation. Collaborating with my team, seeking their advice, and learning from their expertise made the experience even more rewarding. It allowed me to dive deeper into the strategic and dynamic elements of the industry.

The most valuable lesson I learned was the power of strategic thinking—how thoughtful, well-planned decisions can drive both creativity and results in campaigns. I also came to appreciate the importance of networking within the agency, building relationships, and asking questions. These connections and insights have been instrumental in helping me grow both personally and professionally.

Chloe Jackson, PR, Social Media, and Influencer Intern
College of Charleston

During my internship, I developed valuable relationship-building skills, including the importance of being transparent, staying optimistic, and offering support to clients without assigning blame for challenges. These lessons have strengthened my ability to foster trust and collaboration in a professional setting.

My time at the agency also highlighted just how team-oriented the advertising industry can—and should—be. It was inspiring to see people from different offices, departments, and even countries come together to create meaningful results for clients. One of my career goals is to work within a team of like-minded individuals who view teamwork, empathy, and enthusiasm not as optional, but as essential elements of impactful advertising.

Ryan Long, Digital Intern
Loyola University Maryland 

These past three months have been an incredible immersion into the advertising industry. Working across a variety of clients has helped me refine my copywriting skills and taught me how to adapt my writing style to fit campaigns ranging from shrimp to kitchen tiles.

At Connelly Partners, I’ve had the opportunity to not only contribute to diverse campaigns but also collaborate with a team of talented creatives. Seeing how seasoned professionals bring campaigns to life has been a rewarding and eye-opening experience. Beyond the work itself, the agency’s positive and open culture has made a significant impact on my time here. From the people to the company-wide events, the supportive environment has been a highlight of my internship.

Overall, this experience has strengthened my passion for copywriting and made me even more excited about the possibilities of a future in the field.

Clem Mark, Copywriting Intern/Creative
Boston University ’24