This summer, we were fortunate to have four talented interns join us virtually at NISM. Throughout the internship, they gained hands-on experience crafting content, engaging with our community, and applying social media strategies learned through our course materials. They participated in weekly SMS prep courses led by Jennifer Radke and benefited from insightful feedback sessions with their mentor Celeste Russell. Additionally, Q&A sessions with our Advisory Board members provided them with fresh perspectives from seasoned professionals. Each of them has shown a strong commitment to learning and growing in the field of social media marketing, and they’ve worked closely with our team to prepare for the SMS Certification exam.

As their internship comes to a close, we’re excited to highlight each intern and share their journey with you. Today we’re pleased to introduce you to Ben Rosenstiel. Learn more about Ben and join us in supporting his professional journey by connecting with him through LinkedIn or leaving a comment below.

Hi, Ben! To kick things off, could you share a bit about your background and what led you to join this internship?

I went to Northern Kentucky University and graduated with a B.A. in Electronic Media & Broadcasting. A year and a half later, I graduated with an M.B.A. from NKU. During grad school, I worked at a local library at the front desk. One day, I got an email saying there was an open position for the library’s Social Media Associate, and I knew immediately that I would have so much fun with that job. I’ve had that role for over a year now, and I can honestly say that I’ve never had more fun at work than in this role. I’ve been there to take photos of live animals, concerts, and so much more. Every day seems like a different day with this job, and I love it. 

My boss, who is SMS Certified, heard about this internship and sent it my way. She had so many nice things to say about NISM, so I knew I would have a fun and insightful summer if I became an intern for NISM. And, I was absolutely right. I’ve learned so much and had so much fun along the way, and getting introduced to so many people on the NISM has been such an amazing opportunity.

It’s wonderful to hear you had such a positive experience. What aspects of the internship did you find most impactful?

The meetings with NISM board members stood out to me as a highlight of the internship. Every conversation was special in its own way, and it was amazing to hear so many unique perspectives when it comes to social media. Everyone had great responses to our questions, and I thought it was truly something special to have board members of a company so invested in the journeys of their interns.

We’re glad you found value in talking with our board members. In addition to those sessions, over the past 12 weeks, you’ve had the opportunity to create real content and engage with our online communities. How has this hands-on experience shaped your understanding of social media strategy?

I think I’ve come to understand what I can accomplish in a given amount of time. I’ve gotten faster at writing blogs and creating graphics, but there’s still only so much I can do in a day. Having that calibration has been super beneficial for me because I am able to more accurately set my expectations moving forward.

It’s great to hear how you’ve honed your skills over the past 12 weeks. Now, with everything you’ve learned, which SMS content domain interests you the most?

The Research & Analytics domain was very insightful to me. In the Comprehensive Field Guide For Social Media Strategists, author Dr. Amy Jauman, SMS, says that analytics are meant to read backward. All the information is there, and it’s up to us as Social Media Strategists to work backward and try to paint a picture of why the numbers are the way they are. To me, it was like solving whodunnits at work. There are many ways to read and interpret data, so developing a theory and then testing it in is something that I have a lot of fun doing.

Looking ahead, how do you plan to use the knowledge and skills you’ve gained during this internship to achieve your professional goals?

This internship has taught me core principles that every Social Media Strategist should come to understand. I’ve learned a lot in my current role, but I’ve been picking up tidbits along the way. Studying for the SMS exam and having hands-on experience has given me a roadmap to understand social media at a general level and various specific levels, so having that knowledge has given me the confidence to speak with more authority on matters of social media strategy.

What advice would you give to future interns or aspiring Social Media Strategists who are considering pursuing the SMS Certification? How can they make the most of their learning and internship experiences?

Please don’t be afraid to ask questions! I’m an introvert, so I know the feeling of getting in your own way, especially in a group environment. But, Jen and Celeste encouraged all of us to put our best foot forward, and they were always there to help. Also, don’t worry if there is an area of social media that you don’t feel confident with. I feel much more confident behind a camera than over a keyboard, but this internship gave every one of us room to grow in our skills. Now is the time to try out new things and get out of your comfort zone. Cracking out of my shell is still something that I’m working on, but it’s a whole lot easier at NISM!