Each year, the Australian Businesswomen’s Network (ABN) provides work experience opportunities for numerous interns who make an invaluable contribution to many ABN projects by contributing knowledge from their chosen fields of business management, social media, journalism, public relations and digital design. Internships are mutually beneficial to both the intern and ABN. The interns gain confidence in a professional environment as well as being involved in practical tasks that benefit the business. This year the Australian Businesswomen’s Network has mentored a number of interns from Australia and overseas. Our departing interns have made important contributions to the ABN team through their enthusiasm and hard work.
Meet the Team of Interns
Simona Morisani
Simona Morisani has a Masters in ‘Market and Corporate Strategies’ at Universita’ Cattolica del Sacro Cuore di Milano. As she moves into her future career path she hopes to work for a large Italian company that could provide her with the opportunity to work internationally. Simona decided to intern at the Australian Businesswomen’s Network as she was looking for work experience while travelling, and thought that Australia would be a great place to get business experience. Simona has been excited about interning at the ABN. She has enjoyed getting involved in the tasks and meetings. Significantly, she is glad to have developed strong relationships with colleagues and has made new friends.
“I enjoy the little team at ABN which has given me the opportunity to learn a lot of new things. I have learnt important life and professional lessons here during my internship.”
Simona worked on several tasks such as accounting and data entry work and learned to use MYOB and the Infusionsoft CRM system. She has strengthened her skills in using different programs and gained confidence through working in a professional environment.
“I’m really happy to have made new friends. In particular I’m thankful to Donna Taylor, she has been very patient with me and I’ve learnt a lot through working with her. Also a BIG thank you to Suzi Dafnis.”
Jackson Blum
Jackson Blum is studying Marketing and Interactive Media Studies at Miami University in Ohio. While interning at the Australian Businesswomen’s Network Jackson attended university classes that work together with the internship program. During her internship, Jackson participated in creating social media posts to promote ABN events, podcasts and webinars, worked on updates for the ABN’s website, and searched through customer feedback to pull relevant quotes that would help promote future webinars.
“I feel as though I have gained many skills during this internship. I have learned how to use different systems, such as HootSuite, and I have used Excel to create social post for webinars.”
Jackson has enjoyed working at ABN and is grateful for the opportunity to get practical experience with many tasks.
“I enjoyed the chance to work hands on with social media marketing whether it be working on Twitter, Facebook or Linkedin or through updating outdated articles for the website.”
Jackson made close friends with other interns and feels that she has grown as a person and become more confident in her work ability.
Elizabeth Dobbs
Elizabeth Dobbs studies a Bachelor of Arts (Media) at Macquarie University. Earlier in the year Elizabeth interned in Vietnam and chose to return to Australia and to intern at ABN to gain a home-ground perspective of social media and marketing. As Elizabeth gained experience and delved into social media, marketing and business she has become more interested in pursing this field as a career option.
“I will look to further my studies in business so I can develop a portfolio of experience that will hopefully lead me to a role within which I can excel. Exactly which role this may be, I’m yet to decide.”
During her time at the ABN, Elizabeth has enjoyed looking at the running of a successful business and having the chance to work with a dedicated team.
“I have enjoyed the opportunity to look into social media marketing from a first hand perspective. I have engaged with different content which has made the writing of social posts interesting and educational.”
Throughout her internship, Elizabeth has had the opportunity to work on the writing and scheduling of social posts for blog posts, eNewsletters and podcasts. She has also had the chance to produce a ‘Social Post Guide’, which details the writing and posting of social posts for Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn via Hootsuite.
“The team at ABN has inspired me to reconsider my future career paths. And I am thankful in having learnt more about the responsibility of working within an office environment within Australia.”
The Australian Businesswomen’s Network internship program continues throughout the year. Intern positions are regularly available for students of public relations, journalism, business management, social media and digital design. You can express your interest by emailing us. This post was authored by Michelle Sammut. Michelle is currently completing a journalism internship at the Australian Businesswomen’s Network. She studies Media and Communications at the University of Notre Dame, Sydney and is pursuing a career in journalism.
