This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to work as an IT Communications and Graphic Design Intern at BMW in Greenville, SC. While I initially expected to focus mainly on design, my experience went far beyond that. I gained valuable insight into the business side of things, from vendor management to emerging technologies and financial processes.
In my role, I worked closely with communications leaders across various locations in the Americas region, including New Jersey, Ohio, California, Canada, and Mexico. A large part of my work involved designing PowerPoint presentations to help teams communicate business strategies and report data. I also created internal newsletters and helped my department develop its own weekly newsletter to improve engagement. Additionally, I designed materials for monthly town hall meetings, ensuring key messages were visually engaging and effectively communicated.
Beyond my daily responsibilities, the internship also provided tons of professional development opportunities. I attended networking events and workshops focused on career growth, communication, and general professionalism. It was a great way to connect with other interns, learn from experienced professionals, and gain insights into different career paths within the company.
One of the most memorable parts of my internship was touring different sections of the BMW plant. As someone who doesn’t know a lot about cars, it was fascinating to see how everything comes together in such a precise and efficient way. My favorite tour was visiting BMW’s on-site fire department! Seeing the manufacturing process firsthand gave me a whole new appreciation for the company and its innovative approach to automotive production.
To cap off the internship, I had the opportunity to present my work to all the managers in my department. It was both exciting and nerve-wracking, but it was a great way to showcase everything I had accomplished over the summer. Presenting to leadership gave me valuable experience in communicating my work, handling questions, and demonstrating the impact of my projects. It was a proud moment and a great way to close out such an amazing internship.
On top of all that, one of the most rewarding aspects of this internship was meeting so many talented interns from different backgrounds. I had the chance to collaborate with interns from all over, including Germany and Mexico, which added a unique international perspective to our work. I loved learning about their projects and seeing how our efforts connected across different departments and locations. It was a great experience to work alongside people from diverse cultures and backgrounds, and it truly enhanced my understanding of how global teams collaborate within a company like BMW.
Overall, this internship was an amazing experience. It gave me a well-rounded understanding of corporate communications, business strategy, and the inner workings of a global company. I’m incredibly grateful for everything I learned, the people I met, and the opportunity to grow both professionally and personally.
