Q: How did you find out about this internship? Why did you pursue it?
Ibach: Last summer I also interned at QVC but on a different
team. Interns are encouraged to set up quick meetings with other teams
or departments to learn more about areas of the business that interest
them. I had a call with my now boss, and we had such a great
conversation about the power of social media and TikTok. Fast forward to
earlier this year, I received a DM from her saying they were hiring a
summer intern for their team. I decided to apply. It really goes to show
the power of networking.
Q: What did you learn from this internship that you think you would not have learned elsewhere?
Ibach: I have learned so much I did not know about the
influencer industry. There are so many parts that go on behind the
scenes of those posts you see online, and being able to understand all
those pieces is really exciting.
Q: What is the most exciting task or project that you have done or are currently doing in your role?
Ibach: I have enjoyed every aspect of my role but one that I
have enjoyed the most is helping to assess and determine the appropriate
influencers to use for an upcoming partnership campaign we are
launching. It is exciting to be a part of the planning process, and as
you see things unfold, knowing that you contributed to it. We also had a
group internship project to create a pitch deck for a new partnership
and present it to senior leadership. My group got first place which was
very exciting and I met so many amazing interns along the way.
Q: What is an example of a time where you were able to apply what you’ve learned at Lerner to your role?
Ibach: Understanding the importance of your consumer and their
desires and needs is something that I have continued to apply
throughout my role. Especially when searching for new influencers to
work with, it is important to keep our customer at the forefront of all
our decision making.
Q: How do you think this internship will push you closer to your professional goals?
Ibach: I have always been fascinated by the influencer
marketing industry and it is definitely an area I can see myself
gravitating toward post grad. Being able to immerse myself fully in the
industry this summer and upcoming semester has been so beneficial for my
personal growth. I have also learned the importance of communication
with team members and have gotten much more confident with my
presentation skills — which are two skills that I will always need in my
professional career.
Q: Did you face any challenges during your internship? If so, what was the issue and how did you overcome it?
Ibach: As an intern I was afforded the opportunity to weigh in
many facets of the business. One of those areas was helping to make
recommendations for influencers that we should work with. Because I
wasn’t familiar with this space I had to get comfortable knowing that my
choices may be wrong but that I was learning.
Q: What are your career plans once your internship ends?
Ibach: My dream has always been to move to New York City and
work in marketing for a fashion company. Although, I really enjoyed my
time at QVC, so we will see what the future holds.
