Peer Career Consultant Blogs

During my time as the Marketing and Communications intern for the City of San Jose’s Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs (OEDCA), I learned that success is not just about what you know, but how you apply it in a professional setting. Most of the skills I used every day were learned on the job, and I quickly realized that no one expected me to know everything from the start. Instead, I relied on a mix of hard and soft skills that helped me grow more confident, independent, and effective in the workplace. 

Some of the most useful hard skills I gained were related to communication and technology. I strengthened my PowerPoint and presentation skills, which helped me clearly share ideas with my team. I also worked on website edits and learned how small changes can improve how information is shared with the public. Another important skill was data analysis for social media, where I reviewed engagement metrics to understand what types of content performed best. One project that stood out was when my supervisor asked me to complete “any type of analysis” I felt comfortable with, providing only a previous example and no formal training. While this was challenging, it gave me the opportunity to apply my education directly to the workplace and showcase my ability to go above and beyond. 

At the time, I was not confident in my data analysis skills, but I had just taken MKTG 182 (Analysis for Marketing Decisions), so I decided to give it my best effort. In the end, I successfully completed the analysis and presented my findings to the entire OEDCA team during one of our weekly meetings. This experience showed me how technical skills can be developed on the job and sometimes you have to trust yourself and try something new! 

In addition to technical skills, professional communication became a key part of my daily work. I grew more comfortable writing emails and speaking with others in the office, which helped me build relationships and ask questions when I needed guidance. I also practiced giving a quick introduction, or modified elevator pitch, to explain who I was and what I worked on. During the first month of my internship, I was encouraged to introduce myself to many of my coworkers, and having this short introduction, which included a fun fact and why I was excited about the role, made those interactions more impactful and efficient. I also began including this brief introduction in initial email communications to explain my role and why I was reaching out, which helped me feel more confident in sending emails on behalf of my supervisor’s work. 

Soft skills played an equally important role in my experience. Being “go with the flow” helped me adjust when priorities changed or new tasks came up. Organization became my responsibility rather than something my supervisor managed for me. I learned how to schedule meetings, track deadlines, and keep up with my own tasks without needing constant reminders. This taught me how to be self-sufficient and accountable, which are important expectations in any professional environment.

Overall, my internship showed me that hard skills and soft skills work best together. Technical abilities helped me complete projects, while communication, adaptability, and organization helped me stand out in my internship. As a Peer Career Consultant, I now use these lessons to support other students as they prepare for internships and future careers. These skills not only shaped my internship experience but also helped me grow into a more confident and responsible professional.

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