“Welcome to your first day as an intern at Motivators. We’ve been in business for almost 30 years and are taking the on-line promotional product world by storm, now can you make a new pot of coffee? And hurry, make me 75 photo copies.”

I didn’t know what to expect starting my summer internship in June. I’d heard horror stories of other companies like, “I learned nothing. They had me doing their busy work,” and, “Yeah my internship was amazing- if I was attempting a career as the personal assistant to an ape.” So the possibility of me becoming a robot, cubicle-nesting intern was in the back of my mind. Thankfully, my internship at Motivators included no coffee filters or copy paper. Instead, I was given the opportunity to explore the field I’m studying and embrace my creativity through each task I was assigned.

I’ve never worked in cubicle land before. But promotional stress relievers, photos of friends and family, and custom imprinted stickers form personalize collages over everyone’s desks- giving the office an inviting feel. And I’ve never written on such a daily basis. But blogging allowed me to recapture daily outings in my life, share interesting facts and information about upcoming events, and encourage the use of great promotional products. While working on blogs, I didn’t realize what a great exercise it was for me- to be constantly writing. Instead of allowing summer to put me in a complete daze, I was able to retain information and prepare for my last year as a journalism major.

Through a Motivators podcast, Sarah S., Lauren (another lovely intern) and I prepared for the up-coming school year by talking about our favorite school and club promotional products. And while we spent some of our recording time laughing and enjoying each others company, I’m positive the finished product will be mint- as are all finished projects at Motivators. Which is another wonderful thing about working here, the environment allows for good natured fun while a hard working mentality is maintained.

In my three months here I saw constant accomplishments. Motivators continues to be a step ahead of the rest. Going green with a ton of new eco-friendly promotional products and implementing new ways to display promotional products through Motivators TV are prime examples of this. In the growing interactive on-line world, Motivators isn’t afraid to take chances. Not even if it meant I had to pretend to be a real life promotional tote bag and talk about my great promotional life, dreams, and goals on MySpace.

I’m now lucky enough to return to school with a great feel for my field and confidence that my work here has opened up new possibilities for me. I’m also lucky enough to have met some wonderful people, and some even better looking promotional products. My promotional day planner, with its magical translucent cover will help me to stay organized, my custom imprinted draw string back pack will allow me to transport goods of all kinds across campus, and my promotional band aids will protect me if I fall off of any of Maine’s mountains.

Its good heartening to know that there’s a place out there that embraces creativity, strives to surpass its goals,  appreciates it’s customers, and isn’t afraid of a harmless happy hour. Cheers Motivators!