Well, I’ll give you seven reasons why you should intern here.
My name is Alex Sodemann, and I am a senior at the University of Tennessee studying business analytics with a concentration in marketing. This is my third semester interning at Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, and here’s why you should too:
1.) Your Opinion Matters
Seriously. Whether this is your first internship or you have past experience, everyone at Knoxville Entrepreneur Center cares about what you have to say. Before I found KEC, I was an administrative intern at a local tax office where I answered phones, made copies, and was excluded from meetings…not exactly the most thrilling internship. KEC is the exact opposite of that. I’ve participated in more meetings than I can count, and it’s almost scary how much trust they have in you right from the start. I know all of that sounds super cliche, but it’s completely true.
2.) There’s a spot for everyone
It doesn’t matter if you’re majoring in business, graphic design, computer science, or political science, there’s a spot for you at KEC. When I interviewed to be the marketing intern, I had never taken a marketing class. The only thing I knew about startups was what I learned from the first season of Silicon Valley. Thankfully, they took a chance on me, and here I am three semesters later. As long as you’re willing to learn and work hard, you’ll fit right in.
3.) Endless Opportunities
You have a lot of freedom as a KEC intern. Basically, if you’ve got a cool idea and a good reason to try it, then you’re highly encouraged to execute it. Again, your opinion matters. Once you start making these ideas a reality, you start to notice that your resume is actually being filled with relevant experience. This means, you can finally delete that section dedicated to that time you delivered pizzas for two months when you were 16. This also means, you’re going to have a better chance of landing your next dream internship or dream job.
This summer, I was the email marketing intern at HomeAdvisor in Golden, Colorado. I am confident when I say that I would not have gotten this internship if I had not written the email newsletter every week at KEC.
4.) You Meet Everyone in Knoxville
That’s not an exaggeration. I’ve been to events where the Mayor and Ashley Capps (the man responsible for Bonnaroo) have all been under the same roof. It’s also not strange to walk into KEC and see Channing Dawson, the guy who helped launch Scripps, sitting at the table. It’s literally impossible to not make connections while working here.
5.) Free Food
While there are always really cool people at KEC events, there’s also free food. Isn’t that reason enough to want to intern here? It’s hard to beat free Soccer Taco and pizza from Tomato Head.
6.) Great Location
KEC is located in Market Square, so when you feel like paying for your food, you have an abundance of restaurants to choose from. Plus, Market Square is close to campus. It’s also cool to see how Market Square changes from season to season.
7.) Flexible Schedule
Everyone at KEC genuinely wants you to succeed both professionally and academically. They work with your school schedule and understand that they won’t see you once finals hit. They’re also understanding about the rough weeks that happen in the middle of the semester.
My three semesters at Knoxville Entrepreneur Center have been invaluable. KEC is truly one big family, and I’m happy to have been part of it. There are way more than seven reasons to intern here, but you’ll just have to experience that for yourself.
Interested in a Spring Internship? Apply here!