Product and Communications Marketing Intern

Danielle Mee

Marketing

Placement (10 Months+)

Eaton

What was the interview process like?

The application process for Eaton was fairly simple as they only required a CV and cover letter; no psychometric testing was required thankfully. I applied for the internship in early November and received a telephone interview in January. Once on the phone interview I was invited to an assessment centre. The assessment centre comprised of a morning and afternoon event with group and individual tasks.

How much responsibility were you given?

I know most people say it but I was genuinely surprised by how much responsibility I was given and the amount of trust the employees had in your ability. I was responsible for processes, databases and the website from day 1 and my responsibilities grew as the year progressed.

What advice would you give for someone applying to the role?

Try and get an understanding for the markets that Eaton operates in; the company is so vast it’s very difficult to know the ins and outs of a global business. Also if you get the opportunity, go and speak to the Eaton representatives at a career fairs and find out what the current interns have been getting up to, they’ll have plenty of advice and knowledge on the placement.

What has been your biggest challenge?

I feel the whole year at Eaton was challenging, it kept you on your toes, tested your ability and pushed you out of your comfort zone which helped me get the most out of the placement year. However I felt the biggest challenge as a new starter was adjusting to the change in lifestyle and the culture shock that came from moving out of an academic mind-set and into a new professional working environment.

Where has your experience exceeded your expectations?

I wasn’t sure what to expect during my placement year which was exciting and also daunting. But my expectations were exceeded when I had the opportunity to get involved in a trade show project that was a pivotal point in the fire industry calendar. What stood out for me was helping to organise the trade show but also attending the trade show to see the finished article.

What did you most enjoy about your role?

The variety of working between marketing communications and product marketing was really enjoyable. I liked that I was able to get a feel for both roles as it has helped me get a better understanding of where I would like to take my career in the future. The external intern training days were also a lot of fun, giving us the opportunity to refine our current skills and take part in team activities.

What was the atmosphere like in your team?

Being part of the marketing team was like having an extended work family; they were all very friendly, supportive and full of advice. The team are keen to see you succeed as an intern with the possibility of returning as a graduate. The wider team are also just as positive and welcoming; it’s always been a nice place to work from day 1.