Meet the young talent of Top of Mind Networks, also known as our summer interns: Matt Thomasetti and Hannah Hayes. In honor of National Intern Day on July 30, 2020 here’s a Q&A to spotlight the future of the working world we proudly have here at Top of Mind Networks:
Tell us a little bit about yourselves.
Hannah: “I am from Metro Detroit, Michigan. I am a rising senior at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I am studying business administration and communication with a concentration in marketing. I also am on the track and field team for my school. This summer I adopted an 11-week-old kitten!”
Tell us about a project you worked on and the role you played.
Matt: “I have been working on a project that involves analyzing client data and understanding how it maps to Surefire. Sometimes the file that the client gives us does not directly map to the software, and it can be difficult for us to help our customer if this is the case. My job was to learn the ins and outs of how the file maps to Surefire and then to find ways to change the given data to map to our software properly and prevent our customers from using a third party.”
Hannah: “While interning at TOMN, I have enjoyed finding stock photos for the blog posts on our website. Being able to think creatively and out of the box was what I enjoyed the most about this task. I have always enjoyed the creative and visual side of marketing, which is exactly what I was able to do for this particular project.”
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned as an intern?
Matt: “The biggest lesson I learned as an intern is that in a lot of ways you learn more from job experience than you do in school. This makes it very important to work hard during your internship. Some people don’t take internships seriously because they don’t think it’s a real job or they don’t think the work they are doing matters. This is not true. I have learned a lot of useful things about the business world and developed certain skills that cannot be taught in a classroom. Even without being in the office because of the COVID-19 pandemic, I think I have learned a lot about what being part of a business means.”
Hannah: “Being an intern has taught me the importance of proof-reading and developing creative ways to gain new customers. Listening goes a long way. I have been so lucky to have this opportunity simply to learn and gain insights into the business world outside of the classroom.”
What advice would you give future TOMN interns?
Matt: “I would tell future Top of Mind interns to embrace the opportunity that they have here. Top of Mind is a great place to work and a great company to be a part of. Although I was not in the office, it was easy to see that TOMN has a great culture. You will enjoy working for them, and you’ll like the people you work with. Don’t underestimate the power of an internship. You will meet a lot of new people and make a lot of great connections that could be very good for you in the future. Take advantage of that opportunity.”
Hannah: “I encourage future interns to ask as many questions as necessary and to not feel foolish about it because there is nothing wrong with wanting to gain more information. Being flexible to work on tasks outside of your comfort zone is a great way to expand your knowledge, and believing in your ability to do so is just as important.”
What are your post-internship plans?
Matt: “I will be going back to school in the fall to continue with my degree. Although I will be a senior this year, I have a little bit of extra time on my hands as I am not graduating next spring. As I continue my education, I will also pursue some personal projects that I have a lot of interest in. I have always been very interested in app development and video game design, and I want to learn more and find ways to get involved in a project like that. I look forward to finishing my education and getting started in the real world soon!”
Hannah: “While I will no longer be studying abroad in England due to the coronavirus, I will be working towards my dream job of working in marketing for Vera Bradley! I am in the application process to have a position lined up for after I graduate in the spring. However, I am open to whatever opportunities arise, whether it is at Vera Bradley or elsewhere.”
Happy National Intern Day! Impressed by the awesome talent on team Top of Mind? Check out our open positions and apply today!