Kate Catterson: Life as a Marketing Intern at Kinly
Hi! I’m Kate, a marketing student at Providence College. Long story short, I’ve just completed an incredible seven-week internship with Kinly as part of my study abroad programme through Boston University. This journey has been both challenging and rewarding, allowing me to grow personally and professionally in ways I didn’t imagine.
Here, I’ll break down what I’ve learnt, how the experience stacked up against my expectations and let you know exactly what you can expect from a Kinly internship.
Getting to work
Before joining Kinly, I had never worked in a professional setting. As a third-year college student, I was naturally eager to explore my career interests and gain some valuable hands-on experience.
Admittedly, joining Kinly’s global marketing team was both exciting and intimidating. I had no prior experience of the AV industry, so I didn’t know what to expect. However, I quickly discovered that simplified, Kinly is all about bridging the divide between technology and human connection for better collaboration.
Making meaningful contributions
During my internship, I was entrusted with supporting on some big projects that worked to sharpen my analytical and strategic thinking skills. One of my primary tasks was optimising the company’s social media channels. I conducted competitor research, examining the marketing strategies of Kinly’s industry peers to produce a detailed SWOT analysis. I also identified trends, audience preferences and engagement opportunities, ultimately providing actionable suggestions to enhance Kinly’s online presence.
Another significant project was assisting with the company’s website update. Although this wasn’t part of the initial plan, this enabled me to gain valuable experience of website traffic analysis, top performing pages and the importance of aligning a website with a brand’s identity.
Learning and growth
One of the most important things I’ll be taking away from my internship is how important it is to back up decisions with data-driven insights. By analysing social media metrics, I learned how to interpret data effectively and translate it into meaningful strategies that support wider business goals.
In true Kinly fashion, I discovered the power of collaboration, regularly communicating with Meghan, Kinly’s Global Brand and Digital Marketing Manager, and other members of the global marketing team. Their support and guidance helped me to navigate complex tasks and grow more confident in my abilities along the way.
The Kinly culture
What sets Kinly apart is its inclusive and nurturing company culture. Despite working remotely for much of my internship, I always felt connected and valued. The team’s open communication and willingness to trust me with big responsibilities allowed me to think creatively and take ownership of my work. Meghan’s mentorship ensured I had the resources I needed to succeed and the collaborative environment made my first internship a fantastic one.
Looking ahead
As I head back to the U.S. to begin my spring semester, I’m feeling motivated to build on the skills I’ve developed at Kinly. This experience has shown me the importance of stepping out of my comfort zone and embracing challenges as opportunities for growth. Moving forwards, I plan to seek additional internships that will help me develop even further as I refine my career goals.
To anyone considering an internship at Kinly, my advice would be to go for it! The team will support you, challenge you and help you grow every step of the way. I’m grateful to everybody at Kinly for this opportunity and the lasting impact it will have on my journey.
