The summer of 2020 I did an internship at the market research firm, Focus Marketing, in Naples, Italy. Despite the governmental restrictions due to COVID-19, their team was nice enough to let me join them for the summer. I learned a tremendous amount about the market research industry and would be open to a career in the industry.
During the internship, I worked on three projects for Focus Marketing. The first was to present their company in a webinar for an online French market research convention. We chose the topic of COVID-19 effects on customer experience and what research firms can do to adapt to these unexpected circumstances. The second project was to initiate an Incoming Program for foreign market research firms to come to Naples and develop business relationships with Focus Marketing. This project did not have much success due to the uncertainties presented by COVID-19. The other project was assisting them in the development and deployment of a market research survey in the surrounding areas of Naples via various in-person interviews.
I put into practice my Italian learned from AUR in a professional environment and while extremely challenging, it was also rewarding. The internship was an overall amazing experience.
-- Jeff Avedisian