InternViews: Juliette Vale

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

Juliette Vale is an advertising student in the Grady Chicago study away program and works as an integrated marketing intern at Great Wolf Lodge. Read more about her internship experience below.

Provide a brief overview of your role and its associated responsibilities.

I currently serve as the Integrated Marketing Intern at Great Wolf Lodge which is a leading chain of indoor water park resorts, primarily focused on family vacations. In this role, I have the opportunity to build my client-facing and project-management skills through working with a variety of teams across the organization. Essentially, I support project intake, implementation, communication and delivery across Great Wolf’s brand. 

What opportunities do you have in your internship?

I had the opportunity to visit a lodge in Gurnee, IL, and it truly deepened my understanding of the brand and company culture. We were given an in-depth tour of the waterpark, attractions, dining and more. It was a great experience to see firsthand how the guest experience comes together. Hearing from pack members (employees) about the behind-the-scenes operations was incredibly insightful. Additionally, we spent another day participating in a professional development session centered around the book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. We followed along with a workbook and took time to reflect on each habit, which helped me think more intentionally about my personal growth and how to apply those habits in both my work and everyday life.

What is one piece of work you are proud of creating in this role? 

One project I’m proud to be working on is the competitive research for Great Wolf Lodge’s upcoming Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotional deals. Although the final campaign hasn’t launched yet, I’ve been actively gathering and analyzing industry trends and competitor strategies to help inform our approach. It’s exciting to be able to contribute to an initiative that will be shared with the public during one of the most critical retail periods of the year, and I can’t wait to see how my research helps shape the final outcome.

How has the Grady curriculum prepared you for this internship?

I remember telling my manager during the first week of my internship that it’s so interesting to experience seeing some of the concepts I’ve learned in my coursework come to life in a real-world, corporate setting. Grady has also prepared me to think critically and collaborate effectively. Many of the projects in my Grady classes have been a team effort, so it has taught me to adapt to different working styles. Having this skill is crucial in Great Wolf Lodge’s fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Did you receive any mentorship or guidance? How did it impact your experience? 

One of the things I’ve appreciated most about Grady is the strong sense of support and community. From professors to my peers, it’s clear that everyone genuinely wants you to succeed. That kind of environment has given me both mentorship and encouragement in ways that made a real impact. Whether it’s through constructive feedback, career advice, or simply knowing someone is there to guide you, I’ve always felt seen and supported. It’s helped me gain confidence in my professional journey and reminded me that I don’t have to navigate it alone. 

What challenges have you overcome in this role? 

It can be a little intimidating at first being one of the youngest people in office. Great Wolf Lodge is my first internship, so of course, I want to put my best foot forward. With that being said, it’s been a challenge to remind myself that while I want to contribute to my team as much and as best I can, this is also a learning and growing experience. It’s okay to make mistakes and it’s okay to ask as many questions as you need to. Having a supportive environment at Great Wolf Lodge has really helped me overcome this; my internship program supervisor does an amazing job checking in on everyone and making sure everyone is getting what they need out of the program. 

What is the most valuable piece of advice you gained from your experience? 

Take advantage of all the resources Grady and UGA provide. Whether it is a networking event, a resume review or a trip to the career center, be proactive. If you think something sounds like a waste of time, but you haven’t tried it out, how will you ever know? Keep yourself organized by making a document of all the opportunities and dates for each one; same goes for when it’s time to apply to internships. But most importantly, don’t compare yourself to others around you; everyone’s journey is different. Comparison is the thief of joy. 

How has this internship influenced your future career? 

Not only has this internship been a great learning experience both personally and professionally, it has also been a trial-run for living in a new city. I’ve lived in Georgia my whole life and always wondered what it would be like to live in a different city in the U.S. Additionally, I’ve been slowly learning what my preferred working style is, as well as my strengths and weaknesses. Having this foundation of being a marketing intern is exactly what I needed to further discover what pathway of careers of media and communications I want to be in. 

Editor: Lily Alarcon, lia52467@uga.edu