More than just an Internship

Written By Beulah Vimalasekaran, International Marketing Intern

When I first started my internship at Mansell Media, I honestly didn’t know what to expect. I came in open-minded, a little nervous, and ready to see where this experience would take me. Now that it’s coming to an end, I can say I’m leaving with so much gratitude, not only for what I learned, but for the place and people that became part of my life.

During my time here, I was able to get real, hands-on experience with marketing. I learned how to think more strategically, how to market things in a realistic way, and how ideas actually turn into content that people see and engage with. I’m grateful for the trust I was given and for being able to contribute instead of just observing from the sidelines. I grew creatively, professionally, and personally, and I’ll take those lessons with me wherever the road leads me to next.

I want to say a huge thank you to my coworkers for being so teaching, patient, and willing to share their knowledge with me. I learned so much just by working alongside them and seeing how they approach marketing and creative work. And on a personal level: Thank you for picking me up and bringing me to work when I didn’t have a car. That support meant more than words can explain and made this experience possible in ways that go far beyond work.

I also want to deeply thank Clay Mansell, who gave me the opportunity to be part of Mansell Media in the first place. I’m really grateful for the trust I was given and for the space to learn, make mistakes, contribute, and grow without feeling boxed in. That freedom meant a lot to me and helped build confidence in my work and ideas.

But none of this would have been possible without Morrison Heights Baptist Church. Their generosity and support made it possible for me to work here, live here, and truly build on friendships during this season. I’m incredibly grateful for the foundation they gave me and for the way they made this experience feel grounded and supported from the very beginning. I didn’t expect to grow so attached to this place, but somehow it really became home away from home.

Over time, my ties to Clinton were strengthened, and it feels like my roots here have been grounded deeper. The people, the routines, the sense of community. All of it shaped this chapter in ways I didn’t anticipate, and I’ll carry that with me long after I leave.

If I’m being really honest, this doesn’t feel like a goodbye. It feels more like closing a journal at the end of a really important chapter. Clinton stopped being “just a place I was staying” somewhere along the way and quietly became a place I belong to. The routines, the people, the little moments I didn’t think I’d remember, they all added up.

I came here not knowing what to expect, and I’m leaving with deeper roots, a fuller heart, and a clearer sense of who I’m becoming. This place gave me space to grow, to learn, and to feel grounded in a way I didn’t know I needed. So for now, I’ll turn the page, but I know some part of me will always stay right here.