Miranda Federinko, Marketing Intern at KIG, in her own words ...
Week 1: May 23-27
I was immediately intrigued with the idea of working with Kuzneski Insurance Group after Laurie came to speak to the Women in Business organization at IUP this past fall. A woman so involved with work and the Indiana community is exactly someone I was looking to work for. After some Zoom interviews, I was extended an offer to be a summer marketing intern. I could not be happier to take the position.
My first week as an intern was remarkably interesting, and I heard so many insurance terms that I felt overwhelmed. But the culture, atmosphere, and other employees here at KIG were so welcoming, and I immediately felt valued as an intern. Many lectures and training are thrown at you in the first couple of days, but are mixed in with fun lunches, meeting new people, and the typical intern rite of passage: learning how to use the commercial coffee machine.
In my first week alone, I got to sit in on meetings with companies such as LegalShield and Mutual of Omaha. I came to understand a couple of insurance terms already, which I see as a major win, considering how many acronyms are thrown around the office. I also jumped right in to learning many important programs such as HubSpot and AirTable. I’m very excited to see what the rest of the summer holds, and I hope to become an insurance acronym pro!
Week 2: May 30-June 3
My second week as an intern continued with a bunch of firsts! My first blog post was published on KIG’s website, and I created my first Instagram and Facebook posts to share the blog link. I was so excited when a former teacher of mine messaged me to say she read it! I look forward to writing a lot more and being able to share it with everyone.
This was a short week in the office because of Memorial Day, but it definitely felt like a full five days of content with the number of tasks I am now assigned. PowerPoint presentations, HubSpot certifications, and peer-editing blog posts are now on my to-do list. I had been looking forward to projects after going through onboarding last week. I find myself also more involved in the office meetings we get to sit in on. The insurance jargon becomes clearer each day, so questions are easier to think of (sorry about all of the annoying intern questions.)
A small addition to my learning this week was how to properly steam the milk on the espresso machine. I’ve been suffering through some pretty rough lattes, but shoutout to Andy for making my coffee drinkable again!
Week 3: June 6-10
Wow, this has been a week! It went by so fast because of all the fun events I got to attend. On Tuesday, I got the opportunity to attend the IEE Summer Social with Andy and Laurie. This was my first “big girl” networking experience, and I am very grateful that I was able to participate, because I think we were the only interns there! A man even jokingly stated he had to become the vice president of his company before he was allowed to attend the event!. The food, drinks, and people were amazing, and I hope to continue going to events like this.
On Thursday, the Indiana County Chamber of Commerce held a Business After Hours right across the street at First Commonwealth Bank. Again, this networking experience was fun with great food (and cornhole boards that all of the interns took advantage of). Friday night is another outing to see Laurie as a guest bartender at Voodoo Brewery in Indiana.
Now, I promise work was done this week as well! I am now certified in Inbound Marketing on HubSpot and started working on a Social Media certification. I am getting more involved in the creation of content and blog ideas, and I created my first Instagram post.
My favorite learning experience in the office this week was going over an in-depth overview of the company culture. The fundamentals really resonate with me, and I’m happy to be in a business that cares so much about a positive culture. Loving your work environment makes everything that much more enjoyable.
Week 4: June 13-17
The interns ran the office this week!
OK, so maybe we didn’t really run the office, but we were the only ones here holding down the fort with the rest of the Kuzneski team was in Nashville for a TRUE Advisors Network conference. Because of this, the week felt very slow. I missed seeing the rest of the team in the office, but being with just the interns was also really fun. With everyone gone, I was super focused with it being so quiet. I continued to work on different projects, including presentations and research on self-funding. I also received training videos to learn how to properly plan, deliver, and make a presentation along with business writing practices.
My favorite part of this week, though, was watching the security camera footage of fellow intern Sarina falling off of the exercise balls, not once but twice in the same day. (Like I said, it was a slow week -- we had to find some kind of entertainment.)
Week 5: June 20-24
I can’t believe how fast this summer is going! Five weeks already? It feels like just a couple days have passed since starting at the end of May. This week went quickly, too, especially since I was able to be super active in the process of building a presentation for a prospect meeting. Creating and designing important documents and presentations is one of my favorite aspects of marketing. When the materials look good, the business looks good. All the graphs and charts you get to make are part of the fun as well. There is something so satisfying about making sure everything is lined up correctly and getting to look through templates to find the perfect setup for what you want to make. Seeing your work put in front of an actual client is also very exciting.
Along with that project, I am still heading toward getting my HubSpot certification in social media marketing and working on other internal content like the weekly newsletter and content for the company Instagram page. Another win for me this week was a successful latte every day! The milk steamer is no longer kicking my butt.
Week 6: June 27-July 1
Another week, another intern journal. Let’s start with a funny story: On Tuesday, the interns and Amelia were the only ones in the office. For lunch, we decided to use the kitchen for the first time. We were only going to make toasted cheese sandwiches and heat up tomato soup -- nothing too complicated. What could go wrong? Well, quite a lot. The cheese wouldn’t melt, the bread got burnt, and the soup boiled over onto the stove top. As you can probably guess, we’re going to take a break from the kitchen.
Anyway, I’ve been keeping busy this week by writing. Blog content is in the works and I’m very excited to share more of my writing on the website. The interns have been gathering ideas to write about, and they are all helpful to other students. Along with blog writing, I am now certified in social media marketing through HubSpot!
I’ve also been working a lot in Loom to augment this journal with video. Loom is software that allows you to film and edit videos, and learning that platform has been a fun experiment. I could make a blooper reel with all the failed takes in the video library right now, but I think there might be too much profanity. I hope to start adding some of those clips soon!
Week 7: July 5-8
Short weeks in the office always go by so fast. But although it was a short week, it was still fun and packed with things to do. I now get to work with a client on creating an intranet site for three companies that merged into one. Working outside of KIG for a client was something I expected to cause me great anxiety, but I am really enjoying meeting other team members and collaborating over new software such as Slack, Monday, and SharePoint. I am also learning that I love aspects of web design. As a marketing intern, making things look pretty is very important to me, and having free reign at the beginning of this project has been exciting. As I’ve mentioned, there’s something so satisfying about making sure all the formatting is consistent, and with a big platform like a business intranet, I have a big job.
We also had a great learning experience for -- just wait for it -- the perfect espresso extraction! The owner and founder of Commonplace Coffee, TJ Fairchild, came in and demonstrated how to perfectly work the espresso machine. (I’m probably the reason for that one. Andy and Laurie haven’t asked me to make them any coffee lately …) The presentation was not at all what I expected. All the math and science that go into a cup of coffee blows my mind. I’ll never let someone tell me a barista is not a career in STEM. It’s an honest art form, and TJ’s knowledge and passion were so evident. So, just remember: The milk steamer should make a paper-tearing sound, not a shushing sound.
Week 8: July 11-15
Two months down! I can’t believe we are halfway through July. This week was pretty laid back, and a lot of my time has been invested in creating presentations for clients and for the intern work I’m doing for a client’s intranet. Making presentations, or any project, for a client is one of my favorite aspects of this job. I could play around in Canva and different design tools for hours (and I do). My eyeballs hate me for it sometimes, but those projects must be visually appealing, or I’ll be thinking for a week about how they could have been better.
I have definitely seen a large improvement with how I create different work, like presentations or graphics since starting my internship. I look back at old work from the previous school year and want to cringe. My eye for detail and inconsistencies is now well practiced, and I have a better idea for design overall. Having to stick with consistent branding has also helped me with brand identity and consistency. I’m excited to take these improved skills into my final semester of college in the fall.
Week 9: July 18-22
This week was filled with a multitude of new projects! I have been doing design aspects for a client’s intranet for a couple of weeks now, but recently I have been getting materials to do actual postings on the website. I love getting to contribute in this way because it makes me feel much more helpful to be adding actual content to the site! It’s more fun to design and play around with the content you get to actually upload rather than other work that others have already added.
Another project that I started this week was branding and really organizing the internship program! (This is actually a lot harder than I thought it would be.) Trying to come up with a good name or even a logo has been quite a process. Thinking of other aspects of the program, such as welcome packages or informational PowerPoints and fact sheets is a little easier. I think I’ll beg Laurie to make some homemade cookies for future job fairs: College students + free food = prospective interns coming to the KIG table! Be on the lookout for more internship blogs and for more branding on the actual internship program for the fall!
P.S. I’m very jealous of the food pics that the other interns got to include in their journals this week. The turkey sandwich I pack every day just doesn’t compare. ☹
Week 10: July 25-29
Oh no! Everyone is leaving me!
Sarina and Kayleigh are leaving me all by myself. Sarina’s last day is today, and Kayleigh leaves next week. What am I going to do without the other interns to make me laugh all day? I am sincerely going to miss them in the office. It’s going to be way too quiet around here without them, but I couldn’t have asked for two better girls to learn and grow with this summer.
And while they write their sappy goodbye blogs, I get to announce I’m not leaving! I am staying on this fall to intern on days I don’t have classes. I’m excited to further my “big-girl” job experience and to learn more about marketing for a business outside the classroom. I’ll use that time to really establish the internship program here at KIG as well.
P.S. Sarina, makes the absolute best baklava. I had to restrain myself from eating an entire tray of it!
Week 11: Aug. 1-5
Well, it's official! I am officially the last KIG intern standing! I’m going to miss Kayleigh and Sarina around the office a lot. They always were making me laugh, and now all I have are Jason’s dad jokes.
This week was filled with research. LinkedIn probably thinks I am some sort of stalker, but you have to find those connections. I spent a lot of time searching and organizing information about our TRUE network partners, which we should be incorporating into the website soon!
I also worked in HubSpot a lot this week (which honestly is a little frustrating. Do they really need to give me an alert every time I add to a questionnaire? I know HubSpot, I was there). But I do like the experience I am gaining with the tools in HubSpot. I know how important it is for analytics and tracking data, and working through the different projects is much better experience than watching training videos or just hearing about it in class.
Now for something fun: Everyone in the office likes the snacks, especially Fruit Yo-Yos (you'll probably have to look those up, I didn't know what they were either. Think of healthy Fruit Roll-Ups.) These snacks come with collectable cards, and as you can see below, we take it quite seriously. We're only five cards away from collecting all 50! I'll be sure to keep you updated. 😎
Week 12: Aug. 8-12
Wow! What a busy last week for me here at KIG. My last full week and end-of-summer portion of my internship went by so fast and kept me so busy. I was working through LinkedIn again to find potential connections for Andy and Laurie, learned more through HubSpot about posting blogs and creating contact lists, and finished up a lot of tasks for the client
intranet I’ve been working on all summer. I also became a handywoman of sorts
with Laurie ordering new standing desks for the office. Jason and I put together the four desks, and I’m very excited to start using them. I believe my back will thank me in the future for not hunching over the keyboard at my desk all day. (Hauling those desks in was also an experience. Amelia and I are, how do you say, not the strongest or most coordinated. Or maybe it’s just me ...)
I finally regained the courage to use the milk steamer again on the espresso machine this week. I have not made myself a coffee in weeks because I just could not get it foam correctly. My drinks were tasting SO bad. But I wanted some tea and milk -- and look at the foam I got on this one! I usually don’t take photos of the drinks I make because I can never get any art, but she was too gorgeous and delicious.
This is my last intern journal for being here full time! I’m off to a honkytonk in Nashville for my best friend’s 21st birthday before we go back to IUP. But don’t worry! I’ll be back on Mondays and Wednesdays in the fall 🤠
Week 13: Aug. 22-26
I'm back, everyone! And what a week off I had away from KIG! I celebrated my roommate's 21st birthday in Nashville, for starters. I would not call myself a country music fan, but the live music that is everywhere in Nashville needs to become a trend in more cities. (The music in Nashville was amazing. I don't have that hope for Indiana ... sorry!)
As soon as I got back from that horrendous 11-hour road trip, I moved into my first apartment! I happened to do it on a morning where it was 90 degrees by 10 a.m., so that was quite an adventure in itself. But I am very excited to live with one of my best friends this year.
Oh, and by the way, I'm a senior this semester! I'll be showing off in a cap and gown come December. In between my classes, I'll be here at KIG on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Week 14: Aug. 29-Sept. 2
I feel like I’m back in the swing of things here at KIG after a few weeks of just a couple of days in the office. Balancing school and work here have been going pretty smoothly so far (yet it is only the second week of the semester, so my opinion might change around midterms.) When you are only in the office two days a week, you never quite know what you're walking into on the days you are there. It's always interesting getting caught up and seeing what you missed.
This week, I have been working on templates for different things, such as HR proposals, onboarding checklists, and, most excitingly, getting to use the white board in my new office space! That might sound simple, but creating a colorful, organized visual to refer to throughout the week helps keep your mind uncluttered and keeps you on top of priorities. As someone who color-coordinates her planner every day and keeps tasks and assignments planned out months ahead of time, organization and great visuals keep me focused.
And here's to a long weekend! Happy Labor Day💃
Week 15: Sept. 5-9
I have been thinking about my internship journal and how things have really changed for me since starting my internship at the end of May! Working during the semester is a lot different from working a full 40-hour week all summer. Working during school allows me to really look at what I’m learning in the classroom compared to how things actually work in the real world. Let’s look at the classes I’m currently taking and apply them to my internship here at KIG.
Business Policy: Yikes, this is a big one (and a hard one, folks). This is a capstone class for all business majors that ties everything up in a pretty bow after four years of undergrad. This class has students apply business theories to the solutions of management issues. (Sounds fun, right?) This one is a lot of writing, with most of the work being case analysis of real companies that have gone through challenges of one sort or another. I believe the biggest benefit of this class is gaining the ability to really start thinking strategically about a company and being able to communicate business analysis successfully. An internship is the only place you can do this outside of a textbook case study before you enter the job market.
Marketing Strategy: Who would have thought a marketing student would take a class called marketing strategy?! This class is more business decisions and writing – with some math added on top for the analytics side of things. The class is actually set up in two phases, and I just finished the first half, which was a lot of analysis for a company of our choice. I worked on Spotify, and the SWOT analysis tables and charts seemed endless! This past week we started looking more at number crunching. This class is another capstone course for marketing majors, and I apply this class to my role as a marketing intern each time I am at work. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) are things you must think about every day. At KIG, I look at competing carriers, prospective clients, and market how the benefits of our team are superior to other insurance brokers.
Retail Management: I’ll be the first to admit this class was a random elective I forgot about and signed up for last minute because I needed the credits! I’ve worked in retail before and knew it wasn’t for me, but this class is more than retailing and merchandise management. There is an emphasis on promotion, services, and control of a physical store and the company’s online counterpart. As a marketing intern, part of my day is spent online looking at KIG’s website and social media platforms to see how it can be improved and to make sure content is up to date and organized.
Professional Selling and Sales Management: This class focuses on selling techniques, skills, and applications such as prospecting, client approaches, presentations, and closing sales. Although I may not be out selling services for KIG myself, I need to understand the sales process and what I can do to make the process go more smoothly. Sales will always be a part of marketing – no matter how you slice it. You don’t always need to know how to sell a product or service, but you’ll need to know how to sell yourself.
Week 16: Sept. 12-16
What a couple of weeks it's been prepping for the IUP Career Expo and Graduate Fair! It's been really fun getting to plan out everything. I've got to design different social media posts, flyers to set up at our booth, and I'm putting together a video compilation of intern testimonials to play at our table as well. Discussing which swag should be at the table was exciting, too, (although it made me feel old when someone said card holders for the back of your phone "wasn't cool swag"). If you happen to be a college student looking for an internship reading this, you should definitely stop by and come see me at the job fair 😉.
I am also happy to report that the new white board and markers for the upstairs office arrived last week and is now color-coordinated to my liking (Jason is not allowed to change it). This is how I tested out some of the colors.
Week 17: Sept. 19-23
Attention, attention!! We are one week away from the IUP job fair for any prospective interns who might be checking out the internship content on our website. I’m excited to talk to students about KIG and get some HR experience along with it! I didn’t get to attend the last job fair with former intern Sarina (who I miss dearly ☹), as she got hands-on experience promoting the company. But I’ll be there this year -- come check us out!
This week was more fourth quarter preparation for the client services team. I got to work on more open enrollment presentations for a couple of clients and create slides that focus on telehealth (which is increasing in popularity!) and new features from UMPC.
I also got a new project from a client to work on! For the past couple of months, I have been working on an employee intranet for one of our clients, and I’ve really been enjoying it. I have gotten to speak with many of their team members who’ve asked me for help on other projects. This week, I started a job description assignment for them. I’m really starting to dust off my HR skills, and I’m glad I get to experience other aspects of business this way!
Week 18: Journal September 26-30
Woo hoo, the job fair is done! As a marketing intern, I will honestly say I didn’t really know what to expect, and I was really nervous about talking to prospective interns. I am an introverted person, and talking to a lot of students made me uncomfortable at first. But I was surprised at how easily conversation seemed to flow as soon as students started coming by. Maybe I should look at an HR role! (Just kidding).
Promoting internships to passionate students was a great way to think about my own job responsibilities and to connect with others who are as excited about a career in marketing as I am. I was also excited to see that many of the students who came to visit our table were students that I knew from my classes or from around the Eberly College of Business at IUP. The promotions that I sent to Eberly and marketing by word of mouth worked! There were many students that impressed me, and reading through their resumes was actually really fun.
It was also just nice to switch up my workday. I really like the office, but it’s been a while since I’ve had a “field trip” with a change of scenery. It was refreshing to be away from my desk and computer for a while!
P.S. We definitely had the best table setup, as evidenced above!
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