Editor’s Note: If you have an intern you think deserves to be nominated for ITC’s Intern Pick of the Week, then email molly@inthecapital.com or DM her at @mollygreenberg.
Interns come and go, but if one stands out, then you make sure to hang on to them like your life depends on it. They are the diamonds in the rough, one of the most valuable members of your company. Though they may be looked at as temporary figures, their contribution to your business is one that cannot be replicated by any other college student, no matter how good their resume may appear. Here at ITC, we want to highlight the rarities, the interns you simply could not live without. Thus, we bring you ITC’s Intern Pick of the Week, Rebecca Fischer.
Disclaimer: Unlike the usual students I feature in this weekly article, Rebecca Fischer is an intern turned employee. So technically, she doesn't "fit" the title, but she's such a stellar addition to one of our favorite startups NextGame that I had to include her anyways. She is now the Social Media Director.
Everywhere I turn I always hear the name Rebecca mentioned. I like to refer to her as the mysterious Wonder Woman who has managed to capture the attention of all she meets, equipped with a can-do attitude and admirable persistence. Though I have not had the fortune to spend as much time with Rebecca as I wish I could, my co-workers have. They consistently point to me and say, "you should be more like Rebecca." Enough said. Clearly this girl is a force to be reckoned with.
Originally from Săo Paulo, Brazil, Rebecca traveled to D.C. to study at Georgetown University as a Psychology and Theology double major. Knowing that she wasn't going to venture into either of her educational fields, she instead sought out a different route, one that led to her introduction to a whole different sector of the District, the startup realm. With her love for anything and everything Internet related, a social media and marketing position seemed to be right up her alley, and boy was she right.
Getting involved with NextGame was like a match made in startup heaven. As a hardcore Santos FC fan, Rebecca's passion and knowledge of sports is clearly evident, a must for any NextGame employee. A location-based application that connects users with other like-minded recreational enthusiasts to organize pick-up games, sports teams, virtually anything with an "athletic" base (mind you, beer pong is included), NextGame is by and for the able-bodied active community. Rebecca fits right in, equipped with a futebol jersey and competitive edge.
As an intern turned employee, it's obvious that she's an invaluable asset to the company and an irreplaceable player on NextGame's team, which is why we at ITC have determined Rebecca Fischer our newest Intern Pick of the Week
When did you acquire your first internship?
It was my summer after freshman year. I went home to Brazil for the summer and worked at the Pinacoteca do Estado de Săo Paulo, my favorite museum. It was a ton of fun to see how the museum worked and get sneak peeks of upcoming exhibits.
What does your current internship entail?
I do everything and anything social media. This means waking up and checking Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram all before getting out of bed. In addition, I work on marketing campaigns, help with translations, and scour the Internet for anyone willing to help us out.
What's the coolest part of your internship?
I'm pretty much free to tweet and post anything I like. It's a lot of fun to have that freedom.
Why did you choose your current internship?
I started at NextGame my second semester of senior year. I was looking for a relaxed internship where I could work from home sometimes. Little did I know what I was getting into with startup craziness, but I'm really glad I chose it anyways.
How did you find your internship?
On the Georgetown University career network website.
What could you not live without at your internship? (tech, coffee, music, etc.)
Snacks. Every week I search through the supermarket for pretty much anything. Last week was pistachios and this week is strawberries. They keep me up and running.
How do you think your internship will help you after graduation?
I'm already graduated, and being at NextGame has been awesome. I learn new things everyday, work with fantastic guys, get to meet so many inspiring people at Tech Cocktail's and other events, and on top of that, I get to live in D.C.
If you had to change one thing about how your university helped you with internships, what would it be?
Georgetown University is pretty good at sending out internship opportunities within your major, which was great for Psych, but not so much with Theology (really, where am I going to intern?). I wasn't really interested in working in either field, so I had to go out and look for things on my own. It would've been great to receive emails based on interest rather than only what I studied.
