Grady InternViews: Deborah Yoon

This is part of a series where we ask Grady College students to describe their summer internship experience.  

Deborah Yoon is a fourth-year advertising student working with Delta Airlines as a brand marketing intern. Read on as she provides insight into what this internship looks like.

Briefly describe your internship and responsibilities.

I am working as an ESG intern focusing on DEI and Cultural Moments in the Marketing department. I assist my manager in being the liaison between Delta and external creative agencies as well as internal teams and departments.

What does the structure of your internship look like?

I have a summer research project that I’m working on by myself throughout the summer, and I’m also helping the team out on current campaigns.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced?

The biggest challenge I have faced so far is getting used to the nuances of working at an airline as well as getting familiar with the Delta brand and implementing it in the work that I do.

What has been your favorite part about your internship so far? Tell us a story if you have one!

My favorite part about my internship has been the people! My team is amazing, and I’ve enjoyed meeting the other interns through the events that Delta holds. With that being said, I’m hopping on a flight to Paris as I’m writing this, so the flight benefits would have to be my second favorite part!

How have the classes you’ve taken at Grady prepared you for this internship?

My Brand Storytelling and Media Activation and Strategy courses taught me how to really get familiar with a brand, including their values. During the first couple of weeks, I studied the Delta brand values and learned about the nuanced airline industry.

What’s your advice to other students looking for a similar opportunity?

Within all my opportunities, I have really clicked with my interviewers. Networking is essential, but it’s easy for it to feel like a burden. Just remember, the people you’re networking with are still people! It’s nice to connect with people about something other than work, like a shared hobby or music.

How will this role guide your future career path?

This opportunity has allowed me to meet so many amazing people, and you never know who you are going to meet again! Along with the people, the environment of Delta’s campus really reflects the company’s values and culture which I will be looking out for in future opportunities.

What’s your career goal?

My career goal is to always be learning wherever I am. My goal is to always grow, learn and choose to not live in the mundane. I would love to work for a company like Delta in the future where there are opportunities to work with various teams and roles.

What lessons will you take back with you to the classroom in the fall?

I have gained a knowledge of what DEI and cultural relevancy are and how a brand like Delta applies it to every team they have. Outside the DEI space, I have learned a lot about the brand campaign process and am familiar with the client/agency relationship and ecosystem.

How has this role helped you discover what you are passionate about?

My last internship was design-oriented which aligned with my goals at the time. Now, I am working on the strategy side and editing creative concepts rather than actually creating. This has made me excited to work on the big-picture ideas.

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

Everyone is on their own timeline. It might seem some people are ahead of the curve, but keep trying, keep applying and your time will come.