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, Paige Clairmont.
Paige Clairmont is a force to be reckoned with. Equipped with a Junior Associate title at Social Driver she has been a welcome addition to the DC-based digital agency startup that has grown exponentially since she joined the motley crew.
While she only graduated this past year from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in Communication: Business Applications, her journey to D.C. through the Fall Semester Graduate Gateway Program at American University has allowed her to really explore her passion. The post-graduation adventure in the District has provided her with a slew of highly appealing opportunities, but the one that stood out most was Social Driver.
Clairmont is no stranger to the startup scene, having developed one herself at a young age. She's the bright mind behind a greeting cards company called DimpledXpressions, which combines poems with photographs written and taken by Clairmont. A small business out of her childhood home, DimpledXpressions was one of her proudest ventures until she discovered Social Driver.
Though her internship is about to come to an end, Clairmont's time at Social Driver has been much appreciated by co-founder Anthony Shop who nominated her for a 'victory lap' after writing a blog post that blew up via social media. Her thirst for information and sincere sense of dedication is admirable, which is why we at ITC have chosen Paige Clairmont as our newest Intern Pick of the Week.
When did you acquire your first internship?
My first internship was in Summer 2010, working for a wedding planner and company Kate Parker Weddings (now Kate Parker Designs). This is where I had my first social media blogging experience, and taste of event planning. I even had the opportunity to work for and at celebrity Daphne Oz's wedding.
What does your current internship entail?
I work at Social Driver. Social Driver is a digital agency that designs websites, runs social media campaigns, and builds mobile apps. I have had a wide variety of tasks that led me to a very well-rounded experience from new business development research, social media research, interviewing, blogging, Twitter and even some website work. I got a taste of what everyone else was working on as well, through meetings and talks with my co-workers.
What's the coolest part about your internship?
As an intern, there is nothing worse than feeling like the outcast who isn't a "real employee" and therefore isn't included.. That isn't the case over here! From day one, I have been included in almost every type of meeting, seeing what goes on behind the scenes and what we are currently working on. I have also been a part of events, as well as company outings. I have been treated like a real employee. I am not afraid to talk to anyone in the office, can always ask for help, and share, as well as use, my own ideas in my work.
Why did you choose your current internship?
I chose Social Driver because I was looking for a social media experience. Everyone in the office is young, the company is a relatively new start up, and the atmosphere is filled with creativity and inspiration. Once I checked out the website, I felt that I would make a really great fit here.
How did you find your internship?
I found my internship with the help of Professor Gil Klein, who met (Managing Director of Social Driver) Anthony Shop at the National Press Club.
What could you not live without at your internship? (tech, coffee, music, etc.)
My amazing co-workers and the fabulous downtown location.
How do you think your internship will help you after graduation?
Well I already graduated, but through moving to DC for a few months I learned more about myself than I could have elsewhere. My internship really helped make this experience great. While I had some guidance along the way, I also had the ability to really dive into some work I had never done before completely on my own. I believe this is the best kind of experience for anyone who is about to start out with a new job. For example, my best blog post at Social Driver was "5 Lessons Learned from Digitizing the 1940 Census" and it received a lot of buzz. I created and conducted interviews for the US Census Bureau and the National Archives and Record Association then narrowed all of my gathered information down to some helpful lessons worth sharing regarding social media campaigns.
If you had to change one thing about how your university helped you with internships, what would it be?
I would change the timing of things by offering help much sooner and not waiting until Fall starts ticking.
