An internship is a great opportunity to explore a profession beyond the classroom, apply your knowledge in a real work environment, and discover the direction you want to take in your career. This spring, ISIC Latvia welcomed public relations student Valērija Gerasimova to the team, where she spent several months working alongside the Advertisement and Communications Department.

From writing articles and preparing interviews to creating social media content, her internship was filled with both challenges and valuable learning experiences. We invited Valērija to reflect on her journey and share what her internship at ISIC Latvia was like.

A SPONTANEOUS IDEA THAT LED TO AN INTERNSHIP

Interestingly, the idea of interning at ISIC Latvia came about quite by chance. While renewing her ISIC card, Valērija decided to send an email asking whether the company offered internship opportunities.

"I thought that since ISIC Latvia works with school pupils and university students every day, it could be the perfect place for a public relations student to gain valuable practical experience." After discussing the opportunity with her university internship supervisor, it became clear that ISIC Latvia would be an excellent environment to develop her professional skills.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS – A FRIENDLY TEAM AND POSITIVE ATMOSPHERE

Like many students starting their first job or internship, Valērija admits she felt a little nervous before her interview. However, those nerves quickly disappeared.

"As soon as I walked into the office, I felt a very positive atmosphere. Everyone was welcoming and friendly, and I immediately got the impression that people here genuinely work as a team."

She says she was impressed not only by the team's communication but also by the well-organised work environment and thoughtfully structured daily routines.

CHALLENGES THAT HELP YOU GROW

During her internship, Valērija worked on a variety of communication tasks, including writing articles, preparing interviews, and contributing to social media content. Creating videos quickly became one of her favourite responsibilities.

"It was fascinating to see everything that happens behind the scenes and how much preparation goes into producing a single social media video."

While filming content from home, she often had to come up with creative technical solutions. However, this experience only strengthened her confidence that she would like to pursue a career in social media. Although the internship included many creative tasks, writing articles and preparing her first interview proved to be the biggest challenges.

Writing content for a real audience carries a completely different level of responsibility compared to university assignments. Preparing an interview also required careful planning - not only of the questions but also of how to turn the conversation into a high-quality article. Valērija emphasises that the guidance of her internship supervisor and the regular feedback she received played a crucial role in helping her improve with every new task.

THE FIRST PUBLISHED ARTICLE – A MEMORABLE MILESTONE

"It was a very special feeling. Until then, I had only written lengthy university assignments, but this time my article reached real readers. I can compare it to winning your first medal in a sports competition - it's a feeling you never forget."

VALĒRIJA'S ADVICE TO OTHER STUDENTS

As she concluded her internship, Valērija recommends ISIC Latvia as an excellent internship destination for students studying public relations, communications, marketing, or graphic design.

"As a student, you understand what kind of content is relevant to young people. ISIC Latvia gives you the opportunity not only to learn but also to contribute your own ideas and experience how they develop into real projects." She also encourages students not to overlook internship opportunities, even if they are not a mandatory part of their study programme.

An internship is much more than just another line on your CV. It is an opportunity to explore your profession, build confidence in your abilities, and gain a clearer understanding of the career path you want to pursue. Experiences like these help you grow - not only professionally but personally as well.

Written by: Beāte Roga