From August to October 2024, Orbus Software had the pleasure of hosting an internship for eight weeks. Eager to gain hands-on experience in marketing, Angelina joined us from Belarus, having studied a degree in business management and marketing. As her internship came to a close, we asked her to reflect on her experience and share some of the key lessons she learned along the way.
Can you tell us a bit about your background and what drew you to the marketing internship at Orbus Software?
Angelina: During my degree, I had a particular interest in digital marketing. Orbus Software caught my attention because of its reputation as an industry leader and the diverse opportunities within its marketing department. Even though I had just graduated and had a theoretical understanding of marketing, I wanted to experience the practical side – Orbus provided the perfect environment for that.
What were your expectations when you started the internship? How did they evolve?
Angelina: I came in hoping to explore various areas of marketing like social media marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), campaigns, and product marketing. I wanted to see what interested me the most and where I could make the biggest impact. Over time, I started to discover which tasks resonated with me and which didn’t, helping me clarify the direction I want to pursue in my career.
Can you share some of the key projects or tasks you worked on?
Angelina: I worked on several projects that helped me grow, both professionally and personally. I conducted an SEO analysis, identifying keywords, gathering statistics, and creating a content plan. It was a hands-on experience that made me feel confident in this area, and I see myself working in SEO in the future.
I also collected and analyzed customer reviews, which taught me the foundations of Excel – something that will definitely help me in my career. Another project involved conducting a SWOT analysis of my work, which helped me realize that I tend to complicate things. It taught me to structure my work better and not to be afraid of starting over when necessary.
Were there any challenges you faced during the internship? How did you overcome them?
Angelina: Understanding the context of everything happening at Orbus was tough at first. There were new campaigns, industry terms like the Gartner Quadrant, and a competitor merger – all of which were unfamiliar to me. But I learned that everyone around me was willing to help, which made a huge difference. I also faced challenges with prioritizing tasks. I tried to do everything at once, but soon learned to focus on exactly what was needed and not overcomplicate things.
How would you describe the support and mentorship you received?
Angelina: The supervision was excellent. My mentor was patient and always took the time to explain things. Even when I didn’t catch on quickly, he was willing to go over tasks until I understood. The rest of the team was incredibly empathetic and supportive, even when they were busy. I also learned the importance of not being afraid to reach out to people when I needed help.
What new skills or knowledge have you gained during your time here?
Angelina: I didn’t know anything about enterprise architecture before the internship, so I’ve learned a huge amount about business operations, high-level decision-making, and the wider strategies of business-to-business enterprises.
I’ve also gained a solid understanding of SEO analysis, which I found exciting. Before joining Orbus, I thought marketing was mainly about digital communication with customers, but I was surprised by how many different activities are involved. I’ve also learned that asking for help is okay – everyone at Orbus was willing to share their knowledge.
How would you describe the company culture at Orbus Software?
Angelina: The company culture at Orbus is very supportive and friendly. The atmosphere in group chats was full of jokes and camaraderie, which I didn’t expect from such a professional setting. It’s much more relaxed than I imagined, and this positive culture influenced my work experience in the best way.
What’s the biggest lesson from your internship?
Angelina: The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that things may be both more complex and simpler than they seem. Marketing isn’t just about theory and strategies; it’s about understanding your customer and using logic to make decisions. It’s important to balance simplicity and complexity in everything you do.
How has this internship shaped your career aspirations?
Angelina: The internship reinforced my desire to pursue marketing. I loved the variety of activities – from event planning to data analysis – and I’m excited to explore different paths within marketing. While I’m not sure about a career in technology just yet, I’m open to exploring it more as I gain experience.
What advice would you give to future interns?
Angelina: Don’t be afraid to ask for help – it’s the quickest way to learn. Get to know your team, be active, and don’t hesitate to reach out. And if you can, come into the office to meet everyone in person. It really makes a difference.
Angelina’s time at Orbus Software was a valuable learning experience for both her and the marketing team. We’re excited to see where her career takes her next!