By Georgie Blenkey, Flawless Intern
As a young person in this day and age, we’re constantly being told by our peers, teachers, and parents how important internships are for our resumes. At the same time, it can be tough to find an internship that is fulfilling and enriching. This may be true, but after interning with Flawless Foundation this past year, I can say that the value of my internship has gone beyond just a credential on my resume.
As someone interested in digital media and communications, I’m really grateful for the experience Flawless has given me. I’ve gained in-depth experience in social media, which has been not only useful, but also enjoyable. I like how I’ve been able to use what I’ve learned about branding and online networking in my everyday digital media life.
As an intern at Flawless, not only have I learned practical skills, but I’ve also gained experiences that I know would be hard to find anywhere else. I have developed so much knowledge about mental health topics: from self-care to understanding how the industry works, I find all the information useful. More importantly, though, I have discovered a growing passion for mental health and mental health activism. Going to events/conferences and seeing how candid and honest everyone can be has inspired me to be a little more candid and caring in my own life.
Traveling for events is always exciting and educational. I’ve gotten to visit Providence, D.C., and Chicago this summer. Whether the city is new or not, I love getting to spend time in different places. With every trip, I get to learn what mental health means to various communities of people. I’ve met people with so many varying roles within the mental health field, and everyone has knowledge to share. I’ve also met many individuals with lived experiences of mental health challenges, and that is always important to hear.
As an intern, I’ve also learned something unexpected: I don’t have to follow a specific track or narrow career path. I’m currently studying advertising art direction in school, where I learn marketing, art, and graphic design, which leads most people to jobs at advertising agencies. Flawless has opened my eyes to possibilities beyond one discrete track. It has made me realize that I don’t necessarily have to go down the typical advertising agency path, or that I can be an activist while also going into advertising. I’ve heard many people talk about how mental health is a field that needs people with many different talents, and this made me realize that I can be flexible with my talents and interests, and use my education to create my own meaningful career—or combination of careers!
Between the everyday postings and research, to the events where there is no shortage of inspirational figures, my experience with Flawless has been like no other. I have learned more than I could have possibly imagined.
