Looking back: My LAUREA traineeship

Hello!

My name is Mana Hirako, and I recently graduated from KU Leuven with a Master’s degree in Business Economics, majoring in Marketing. I was actively seeking an internship opportunity for the second semester of my academic year to acquire practical skills in a professional working environment in preparation for my post-graduation career. During that time, the university organized an internship fair, which led me to an exceptional opportunity at LAUREA for a 6-month communication and marketing internship.

Throughout my internship, I was deeply involved in marketing support and project assistance for various projects. On the marketing front, I took charge of creating E-newsletters and updating the website. These responsibilities significantly enhanced my marketing skills, providing hands-on experience with various professional platforms that extended beyond what I had learned in my university courses. Furthermore, I had the privilege of working closely with a marketing specialist, enabling me to witness the outcomes of marketing campaigns and participate in their analysis and improvement processes. This was a valuable learning experience, as it allowed me to understand how professionals assess results and plan for future campaigns. Working with different clients taught me the importance of tailoring marketing campaigns to suit their individual preferences, including voice tone, design, and content length.

On the project support side, I gained insights into making appealing websites, assisting customers with various inquiries, and the significance of meticulous attention to detail. I was also fortunate to be involved in the organisation of national and international conferences and symposiums.

I am immensely grateful to Stefaan and the entire team at LAUREA for affording me this invaluable opportunity and their unwavering support. While I had limited prior experience, LAUREA entrusted me with a diverse range of tasks that broadened my knowledge not only in marketing, but also in project management, communication, and more. These experiences helped me identify my strengths and interests, providing me with a clear sense of direction for my future career.