Hi.
I’m Jenna Wilkinson.
And, I’m wondering,
if an awesome internship launched my career in my twenties, why can’t another great internship put my career back on track in my fifties?
Hi. I’m Jenna Wilkinson.
And, I’m wondering,
if an awesome internship launched my career in my 20s, why can’t another great internship put my career back on track in my 50s?
Hi. I’m Jenna Wilkinson.
And, I’m wondering,
if an awesome internship launched my career in my 20s, why can’t another great internship put my career back on track in my 50s?
I never actually stopped working. My skills are fresh, and my business knowledge and experience are wide-ranging. But, the fact is, while I have done extensive part-time work, I have only worked [outside of the home] full-time for seven of the past twenty years. So, in preparation for my career relaunch, I want to reboot with a paid internship. This will (1.) set me up with a better understanding of what I want in the current marketing climate, and (2.) assist me in commanding a strong full-time starting salary that is truly reflective of my ability to add value.
My last kid is about to leave the nest.
She is ready to fly.
I am too.
I never actually stopped working. My skills are fresh, and my business knowledge and experience are wide-ranging. But, the fact is, while I have done extensive part-time work, I have only worked [outside of the home] full-time for seven of the past twenty years. So, in preparation for my career relaunch, I want to reboot with a paid internship. This will (1.) set me up with a better understanding of what I want in the current marketing climate, and (2.) assist me in commanding a strong full-time starting salary that is truly reflective of my ability to add value.
My last kid is about to leave the nest.
She is ready to fly.
I am too.
You get an experienced intern with an mba
Value for you. Inexpensive highly qualified talent (see career “track,” below) that can plug into a team and swiftly deliver. I can help unburden an overtaxed department, fill a gap resulting from temporary leave, meet the needs of a new project, and bring fresh energy and perspective. No need to even add me to payroll, I can bill as an independent consultant.
Value for me. A formalized measurable relaunch, and “proof of concept” that I am a viable candidate in my search for a more permanent placement in the Spring.
My Career Track To-date
I’m a rare all-around marketer with an unusual journey. I have the strategic mind to qualify me for a seat at the table, and the skills to return to the table with the deliverables you need. Web development. Email marketing. Digital content. Core messaging. Graphics and layout. Sales decks. Market research. And more. And, I can learn just about anything (not calculus).
NOTE: I also spent some time teaching middle school and high school kids. Honestly, hardest job ever. And, man it’s a role that keeps your mind open and agile.
HOVER OVER THE HOT SPOTS BELOW FOR HIGHLIGHTS OF MY 35-YEAR CAREER JOURNEY.
TAP THE HOT SPOTS BELOW FOR HIGHLIGHTS OF MY 35-YEAR CAREER JOURNEY.
Absolute dream internship at Grey Advertising in London. *Ask me about my White Goods project and the Dunkin'!
Right out of college I veered off the marketing path. "U.S. Surgical Customer Service, this is Jenna how may I help you?" But, I learned a lot about myself and what I wanted out of a career.
Summer stint as a short-order cook on Martha's Vineyard before re-launching in Boston.
My degree was in Corporate Communications.
Year one, I ran the Entrepreneur of the Year Program in New England. Year two, I wrote new business proposals for the New England offices. Year three, I was promoted and relocated to Cleveland, the Assurance Practice H.Q., and wrote proposals for strategic opportunities nationally.
I started to get frustrated that my voice was not being heard at the table at E&Y. So I went back to school to get my MBA at The Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University.
Absolutely wild and miserable internship at NASA Glenn Research Center that was part of my Entrepreneurship Concentration. *Ask me about the glasses and the cookies!
After earning my MBA, I was hand-picked by a highly-regarded marketing professor to work at start-up where he was on the Board of Directors. It was a struggle riding the final crest of the dotcom wave, but a valuable experience. eWinWin aggregated the purchasing power of small manufacturers. *Ask me about the eagle.
Brief agonizing stint in a sales role where I learned the distinction between a provider of proprietary software and a job shop.
Channel: 1 was an early mover in the lead generation space. I had an awesome half-time role assisting the start-up's founder crafting the business plan as well as providing marketing communications support for the core offering. Bonus was repeat travel to Scotland and the Riviera! More to come on SAA at the next stop.
My father's business selling hot air balloon and glider ride gift certificates across the country. Highlights: I was a Hubspot and Google Adwords/Analytics early adopter (freakin' awesome). I created a new sales channel to non-profit organizations. And, I was a blogger to the fundraising community.
This was my awesome venture that totally failed. The experience was like a second graduate degree for me and I wouldn't change a thing (well, being successful would have been good). I learned from so many mistakes. It was a social entrepreneurship before the model was mainstream. *Ask me about the fatal flaw.
Got married to Eugene Roche with a bonus of two awesome step-kiddos, Eli age seven, and Avery age five, at the time (24 & 26 now!).
Had my daughter (pictured above) on the Fourth of July.
Reclaimed my role as Director of Marketing. Cleaned up the mess from the past two years. Came to grasp the shifted cash flow model for the business, and left for good because of conflicting values and ethics with the founder (yeah... my dad).
Ten years ago reviews on platforms and social media were not the make/break REVIEWS that they are today. At the time, I saw them as a pivotal tool to build trust and create loyalty. And, my agency services were geared to that methodology--or at least, that was the client entry point.
Workspace Education was an alternative education facility where 100 families co-educated their kids through interest-based custom curriculums. I was the Director of Marketing responsible for crafting wholly original content to communicate the ground-breaking pedagogy--digitally, in print, and in-person to potential member families, educators, and investors. (Note: we also brought Tatum on this alternative education journey, and this is when I started teaching.)
My most recent client service agency focused on leveraging the synergies and overlap of the entrepreneurial mindset and that of their ideal customer. A brand is so often personal for small business owners and in many ways an extension of their values, style, and talents. Crafting core messaging that leans into the areas where the entrepreneur and ideal customer both reside can create a special kind of operational flow.
I custom-crafted curriculum for a Russian Studies and a Follow Your Nose Social Sciences class at my daughter's accredited micro high school in New Milford, CT. I also experienced the glory of being the school's substitute teacher.
Currently, I have one amazing client, Leslie Albright from Produits Artisanaux. And I am on the quest to be the oldest marketing intern of all time!
Absolute dream internship at Grey Advertising in London. *Ask me about my White Goods project and the Dunkin'!
My degree was in Corporate Communications.
Right out of college I veered off the marketing path. "U.S. Surgical Customer Service, this is Jenna how may I help you?" But, I learned a lot about myself and what I wanted out of a career.
Summer stint as a short-order cook on Martha's Vineyard before re-launching in Boston.
Year one, I ran the Entrepreneur of the Year Program in New England. Year two, I wrote new business proposals for the New England offices. Year three, I was promoted and relocated to Cleveland, the Assurance Practice H.Q., and wrote proposals for strategic opportunities nationally.
I started to get frustrated that my voice was not being heard at the table at E&Y. So I went back to school at the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University to get my MBA.
Absolutely wild and miserable internship at NASA Glenn Research Center that was part of my Entrepreneurship Concentration. *Ask me about the eyeglasses and the cookies!
After earning my MBA, I was hand-picked by a highly-regarded marketing professor to work at start-up where he was on the Board of Directors. It was a struggle riding the final crest of the dotcom wave, but a valuable experience. eWinWin aggregated the purchasing power of small manufacturers to get them better pricing.
Brief agonizing stint in a sales role where I learned the distinction between a provider of proprietary software and a job shop.
Channel: 1 was an early mover in the lead generation space. I had an awesome half-time role assisting the start-up's founder crafting the business plan as well as providing marketing communications support for the core offering. Bonus was repeat travel to Scotland and the Riviera! More to come on SAA at the next stop.
My father's business selling hot air balloon and glider ride gift certificates across the country. Highlights: I was a Hubspot and Google Adwords/Analytics early adopter (freakin' awesome). I created a new sales channel to non-profit organizations. And, I was a blogger to the fundraising community.
My father's business selling hot air balloon and glider ride gift certificates across the country. Highlights: I was a Hubspot and Google Adwords/Analytics early adopter (freakin' awesome). I created a new sales channel to non-profit organizations. And, I was a blogger to the fundraising community.
Married Eugene Roche with a bonus of two awesome step-kiddos, Eli age seven, and Avery age five, at the time (24 & 26 now!).
Had my daughter (pictured above) on the Fourth of July.
This was my awesome venture that totally failed. The experience was like a second graduate degree for me and I wouldn't change a thing (well, being successful would have been good). I learned from so many mistakes. It was a social entrepreneurship before the model was mainstream. *Ask me about the fatal flaw.
Reclaimed my role as Director of Marketing. Cleaned up the mess from the past two years. Came to grasp the shifted cash flow model for the business, and left for good because of conflicting values and ethics with the founder (yeah... my dad).
Ten years ago reviews on platforms and social media were not the make/break REVIEWS that they are today. At the time, I saw them as a pivotal tool to build trust and create loyalty. And, my agency services were geared to that methodology--or at least, that was the client entry point.
Workspace Education was an alternative education facility where 100 families co-educated their kids through interest-based custom curriculums. I was the Director of Marketing responsible for crafting wholly original content to communicate the ground-breaking pedagogy--digitally, in print, and in-person to potential member families, educators, and investors. (Note: we also brought Tatum on this alternative education journey, and this is when I started teaching.)
My most recent client service agency focused on leveraging the synergies and overlap of the entrepreneurial mindset and that of their ideal customer. A brand is so often personal for small business owners and in many ways an extension of their values, style, and talents. Crafting core messaging that leans into the areas where the entrepreneur and ideal customer both reside can create a special kind of operational flow.
I custom-crafted curriculum for a Russian Studies and a Follow Your Nose Social Sciences class at my daughter's accredited micro high school in New Milford, CT. I also experienced the glory of being the school's substitute teacher.
Currently, I have one amazing client, Leslie Albright from Produits Artisanaux. And I am on the quest to be the oldest marketing intern of all time!
Testimonial & A Glimpse of my Work
From the founder at my most recent Full-time job at Workspace Education.
“It was a pleasure working with Jenna Wilkinson. She has exquisite taste, and can translate difficult concepts into beautiful graphics, and succinct text that resonated with our community. She is passionate, detail oriented and competent, and I wouldn’t hesitate to engage her on future projects.”
Catherine Fraise
Founder, 100 Roads Design & Workspace Education
From the founder at my most recent Full-time job at Workspace Education.
“It was a pleasure working with Jenna Wilkinson. She has exquisite taste, and can translate difficult concepts into beautiful graphics, and succinct text that resonated with our community. She is passionate, detail oriented and competent, and I wouldn’t hesitate to engage her on future projects.”
Catherine Fraise
Founder, 100 Roads Design & Workspace Education
Internship Design & Availability
AREAS WHERE I CAN BRING VALUE
- Content Creation
- Digital Marketing
- Sales Enablement
- Account-Based Marketing
- Data & Analytics
- Lead Generation/Nurturing
- Web Development/Support
- Let me know what else you need!
SUGGESTED INTERNSHIP STRUCTURE
- Paid internship. $30/hour. Can easily invoice as a consultant.
- Ideally, hybrid home/office (CT or NYC). Or virtual.
- Ten to twelve weeks between November and March.
- Availability outlined in calendars, below.
- I have set aside holiday weeks for family, but could be flexible if needed.
© 2024 Jenna Wilkinson. All rights reserved.
P.S. I love Star Trek. I have built two IKEA kitchens with my husband. My favorite podcast is Hard Fork. I am a gluten-free vegetarian. My favorite author is N.K. Jemisin. And, I have a mutt named, Nolan. 😉