From Intern to Brancher: Say Hi to Our Newest Associates

Almost everybody working at Red Branch Media started out as an intern. It’s a chance for newbies to get a feel for the environment, see if it’s the right fit, and find out what their strengths are. Of course, every intern’s path and development may look a little different. We asked our newest round of interns a few questions about their transition from intern to Brancher and found out what advice they had for the next round. Check it out:

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Stevie Howard:

Why did you apply to RBM and what did you expect it to be like?

I jumped on the opportunity as soon as I saw the ad. A small, family owned marketing agency was literally my dream job! I was hoping it would be a great learning experience and that I would be able to stay with and grow with the company. So far it’s been amazing!

What did RBM actually end up being like?

It’s a pretty chill place. As long as you get your work done no one really bothers you. And, we really are like a family. They make everyone feel so welcomed!

What role are you currently in and what is your favorite part about it?

Right now I honestly feel like a “jack of all trades”. I’m on the Social team (where I manage multiple accounts for clients), the SEO team, and I write content (currently 3 articles a week). My favorite is both SEO and writing. They continue to challenge me, make me think critically, and help me learn more about the industry.

What is your biggest goal for 2017 at RBM?

I would like to move more into the content and SEO fields and really start to master both of them. I also hope to be a full-time employee once school comes to an end. Here’s to hoping!

What advice do you have for the next round of interns?

Honestly, do your best and always be available. Mistakes and hiccups happen, but make sure to learn from them and be willing to take on new tasks to help your fellow Branchers. Don’t be scared, you can do it!

 

Kendra Tallman:

Why did you apply to RBM and what did you expect it to be like?

I applied to RBM because my previous job wasn’t challenging me. I found the RBM internship on Looksharp and saw it was a marketing firm. Although I’m an English major, I saw there was an opportunity for me to write (and I also saw the opportunity for wine every Friday at 4), so I applied. I honestly had no expectations (other than the wine).

What did RBM actually end up being like?

Red Branch Media ended up being the perfect place for me. Although initially terrified by 100 new things I’d never heard of before, the work quickly grew on me. Everyone was so nice, supportive, and helpful right away. I got to start writing articles, email copy, and web copy immediately, along with tons of other fun stuff.

What role are you currently in and what is your favorite part about it?

I’m currently an Email Marketing associate. Although I came in hoping to be a big writer here, my favorite part is working with our Design Team to create some truly kick-ass emails. Some of them go out to over 10,000 people—you can’t tell me that’s not awesome.

What is your biggest goal for 2017 at RBM?

In 2017, I really hope to expand my specialties. I have been working in coding and design here and there, and I love learning about both. I’d really like to be able to take our emails from the idea stage to scheduling without needing much help.

What advice do you have for the next round of interns?

My biggest advice? Don’t get discouraged if you make a mistake. Mistakes suck, especially in Email, but they will inevitably happen. You just have to get back up and resolve to do better next time.

 

Haylie Rawlings:

Why did you apply to RBM and what did you expect it to be like?

I was inspired to apply to RBM because of our CEO Maren Hogan. She came to speak to my class at UNO, and she impressed us all with her marketing knowledge! I expected RBM to be tough and fast-paced, and I wasn’t wrong.

What did RBM actually end up being like?

RBM is full of motivated and talented people. It’s a fun environment but you have to always make sure you get your work done. Everyone is held accountable. This place has challenged me in so many different ways and has helped me grow professionally and personally.

What role are you currently in and what is your favorite part about it?

Currently, I am a marketing associate, spending most of my time in social and PR. My favorite part are my two awesome direct managers! Shalaina and Noelle rock and are great leaders. They’ve helped me learn everything I know.

What is your biggest goal for 2017 at RBM?

My biggest goal is to bring something new to RBM. All department managers have been able to start their own departments and form processes that suit their work style. While I may not be able to build an entirely new department, I want to bring something new that helps increase ROI and efficiency.

What advice do you have for the next round of interns?

All of those other internships where you entered data and sat around on Facebook? Say good riddance. You will learn so much, so have your thinking caps on. Also, be prepared to drink wine every Friday afternoon.

 

Grant Eicher:

Why did you apply to RBM and what did you expect it to be like?

I applied to RBM after my summer internship ended at a larger corporation. At this company, I had to do a lot of coding, which made the working environment a little sluggish. I came across the Red Branch Media website and it was like a breath of fresh air.  I loved the site’s humor and honesty and decided to apply the very next day.

What did RBM actually end up being like?

Red Branch Media has exceeded my expectations. Maren is an inspirational boss and the company has a great work hard/ play hard environment. The only thing that surprised me was how quiet RBM is. I had always expected a marketing agency to be a loud atmosphere like the ones in TV shows. However, during the working day, RBM is pretty quiet because there is a lot of work to be done.

What role are you currently in and what is your favorite part about it?

I am on the email team at RBM and I primarily work on email workflows for clients. My favorite part about my job is that I get to see the benefits of my work. When I create a workflow, I am able to see how many leads I created for the company.

What is your biggest goal for 2017 at RBM?

I want to try to learn a new system, process or piece of information every week.

What advice do you have for the next round of interns?

At RBM, you will have to do some monotonous tasks. This is because there are sometimes tasks that simply have to be replicated every week. I would advise you to do these tasks first to get them out of the way.

 

To sum up: The road to becoming a Brancher is paved with hard work, a good attitude and wine. Lots of wine. Good luck to the new interns coming in for the next semester!