Internship | Naomirae

INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE

DIGITRADE

As an LAIB major at Clemson University, I was required to complete an internship related to my target language. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, my internship with Digitrade was conducted virtually.

The global nature of the Digitrade team required significant coordination across time zones. Communication took place primarily through Zoom and Microsoft Teams. With one intern based in California, another in Hong Kong, and the company headquartered in Tokyo, we had to carefully schedule meetings to accommodate all participants.

Despite these logistical challenges, my time at Digitrade was highly valuable and eye-opening. A significant portion of my work involved conducting market research on potential products the company could invest in and introduce to the Japanese market. This experience introduced me to a new aspect of business that I had not previously explored. I discovered that I genuinely enjoy researching information and synthesizing it into clear, structured presentations.

As part of my internship requirement, I also completed a reflective report in Japanese documenting my experience.

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UPSTATE INTERNATIONAL

In 2022, I sought out an internship to gain hands-on experience in marketing. This led me to Upstate International, a nonprofit organization based in Greenville, South Carolina.

I developed a range of practical skills across marketing and communications. I contributed to website documentation, created newsletters using Constant Contact, and produced media releases. I also gained experience using Adobe Creative Suite and facilitated conversation tables and language practice sessions, strengthening both my communication and leadership capabilities.

My experience at UI was especially rewarding because it allowed me to see the direct impact of my work. I had the opportunity to attend events I helped promote, connecting my contributions to real community outcomes. Additionally, I was able to engage with a diverse group of individuals and learn more about the nonprofit initiatives shaping the local community.

MUSEUM OF THE CHEROKEE

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I had the opportunity to intern at the Museum of the Cherokee in South Carolina. In this role, I worked closely with museum staff to learn about local Native American history and cultural preservation.

While there, I supported a variety of operational and organizational tasks, including cataloging and labeling artifacts, assisting with event sales, and organizing the museum’s library using the Library of Congress classification system. This experience required careful attention to detail, proper artifact handling techniques, and the ability to communicate effectively with visitors in a sales setting.

Although the internship was not directly aligned with my major in Language and International Business, it provided valuable, transferable skills in organization, research, and public engagement. It also sparked my initial interest in nonprofit work and mission-driven organizations.