My Journey as a Marketing Intern at ilert
Originally from Hungary, I moved to Germany to study International Management at the University of Cologne, where I developed a passion for connecting creativity with strategy. My working student position and later my internship at ilert, was an exciting experience and it shaped how I approach marketing today. From designing content to analyzing campaign performance, every task challenged me to grow, learn, and adapt. One of the highlights of my role was creating visually engaging content using tools like Canva and Figma.
How I joined ilert marketing team
I started in my working student position at the end of 2023. As a Marketing Intern, I was able to observe, help out and develop skills in many office roles, from sales to partner management. Whether it was crafting social media posts or internal materials, I loved the creative process of turning ideas into visuals that aligned with ilert’s brand. However, what I learned quickly is that creativity alone isn’t enough—it has to connect with the audience and deliver measurable results.
Challenges that shaped my perspective
One of the key challenges I faced was transitioning from B2C to B2B marketing. Before joining ilert, I gained experience working with CEMS Clubs, student associations, where I led marketing efforts for student-focused events and alumni initiatives. As Marketing Lead for CEMS Club Cologne and LinkedIn Director for CEMS Club Canada, I focused on engaging students through social media campaigns, events, and community-building, which helped me develop skills in creating emotion-driven content for a B2C audience. At ilert, I had to shift my approach to building trust, emphasizing value, and addressing business-specific needs. This transition challenged me to think more strategically and analytically, showing me how marketing is not just about creativity but also a data-driven process.
I also realized that data-driven marketing is essential for success. By tracking key engagement metrics and click-through rates, I was able to understand what resonated with our audience and refine my strategies accordingly. Numbers, after all, are the proof of what works. Collaboration was another vital lesson. Every project involved teamwork—whether brainstorming ideas or refining campaigns with feedback. It taught me that marketing is not just about individual creativity but about combining ideas to achieve a shared vision.
Growing into a full-time role, from supporting projects to leading campaigns
My journey at ilert started with hands-on tasks during my internship and working student role. One of my first projects was ungating our Metrics Guide, where I created blog articles, designed supporting materials to drive engagement. I also contributed to email campaigns—like the monthly newsletters and the "Did You Know?" series—with help and support from the team, of course. Alongside this, I gained experience with our CRM, website management, and community engagement through online interactions.
In my full-time role, I’ve taken on larger projects, such as leading a top-of-the-funnel awareness campaign. I oversaw the entire lifecycle: planning strategy, running ads, creating educational content, and building a landing page while aligning efforts across platforms. These experiences have allowed me to evolve from learning the ropes to managing end-to-end campaigns that connect creativity and strategy effectively.
Lessons learned and advices for future marketers
If I could share a few lessons with future interns, here’s what I’d say:
- Stay curious and be open to feedback: Always ask questions, seek feedback, and stay eager to learn. The more you engage, the more you’ll grow. Marketing is a team effort, so being adaptable and open to others’ ideas is essential.
- Experiment and track your progress: Use your internship to try new ideas and tools. You'll learn a lot through trial and error. Keep track of your work, reflect on your progress, and build a portfolio for future roles.
- Master the essential tools: Get comfortable with tools like Google Analytics, Figma, and Canva. These are foundational in marketing and will help you create polished content and track campaign success.
- Understand SEO and social media: SEO is crucial for improving content visibility. Make sure you understand the basics and how to apply them to your content strategy.
If you’re interested in starting your career in marketing or learning more about opportunities at ilert, explore our careers page for current openings!
