Ruby’s Intern Experience

I’m currently a senior at Central College, majoring in communication studies with a minor in business management. Over the past eight weeks at TwoTone Creative, I’ve had the opportunity to learn from an incredible team, challenge myself professionally, and gain hands-on experience in the world of marketing.

What first drew me to marketing was its ability to tell a story. Behind every social media post, campaign, and brand is a message that is meant to connect with people, and that’s something I’ve always loved. When I first discovered TwoTone, I was immediately impressed by the quality of their work. Their social media presence and company culture really stood out to me. I could tell this was a team that really enjoyed working together, and I knew it was a place where I wanted to learn from.

From my very first week at TwoTone, I felt like part of the team. I was welcomed into meetings, trusted with meaningful projects, and encouraged to ask questions. Throughout the summer, I brainstormed content ideas, developed social media strategies, wrote captions, edited Instagram Reels, completed social audits, earned certifications, and read books like What the Heck is EOS? and Smart Brevity. I also had the opportunity to contribute to projects for churches, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and even TwoTone's own marketing while sitting in on several client strategy meetings.

One thing that I liked the most about agency life was how collaborative it is. Some of the best ideas came from everyday conversations and brainstorming sessions. It showed me that creativity becomes its strongest when people build ideas together.

My biggest takeaway from this summer is that marketing is so much more than creating content. I learned that every caption, design, and even trending audio choice should have a purpose. Great marketing isn't about posting just to post, but it's about understanding your audience, telling a story, and creating something meaningful. I also saw firsthand how strategy moves into creative execution and what it really looks like to work directly with clients, which is something that a classroom really can't replicate.

I also had the privilege of learning from the entire marketing department. Every person on the team was so relational, gave me a new perspective, and took the time to offer thoughtful feedback, encouragement, and guidance. What I admired most was how intentional everyone was. They weren’t just intentional with their work, but with investing in both their clients and one another on the team. I was challenged to grow and try new things while also being encouraged along the way.

Looking back, I've grown in so many ways. Professionally, I've strengthened my strategic thinking, communication skills, and confidence working on client projects. Creatively, I've learned to focus less on aesthetics alone and more on the "why" behind every idea. Personally, I've become more confident, more willing to step outside my comfort zone, and become more open to feedback.