Intern Feature: Chris Kokoros

I am interning for Liberty Bay Credit Union. I am currently the marketing coordinator after receiving a promotion about a month and a half into my internship with Liberty Bay. Some of the more major projects I have worked on include the launch of the new company website, planning and executing an open house, ribbon cutting and reception for our new branch in Woburn, and planning out how we would support Woburn 375s Old Time Baseball Game. I also assist with weekly employee emails that update employees on what’s happening at the company. I participate in weekly business development meetings and contribute to finding new ways to differentiate us and increase membership as much as possible. I provide all other departments with collateral materials on an as needed basis to assist that department in their specific function. I track invoices and add them to the budget log as they come in. Part of my position includes managing in branch promotions with the company that supports our digital screens. When I became a part of the Marketing team at Liberty Bay, I doubled its size from one person to two people. At this point, it really is just my boss and I handling all of the marketing functions of the credit union which provided me instantly with hands on experience that I would not have found anywhere else.

HOW DID YOU FIND THIS OPPORTUNITY?

I got this position by having a friend of my father, who is the VP of Consumer Lending at Liberty Bay, give my resume to my current boss, the VP of Corporate Communication. She had been looking for someone to help alleviate some of the many tasks on her plate and I had a very informal phone interview, followed by a meeting in the office that led to being hired for the summer and beyond.

WHAT HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE BEEN LIKE AND WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED?

I had a great experience at Liberty Bay and continue to enjoy my employment with the credit union. No day spent there has felt like a job because I love what I do. The people, however, are really what make Liberty Bay such a special place. When I walked into that door for the first time and sat down in my barren cubicle, I didn’t really know what to expect. However, it was one of the most welcoming places I have ever worked at. Everyone is so friendly and easy going, and the office environment is professional yet fun every day. I learned just about everything about marketing for a financial institution that you can in four short months. I can now say I have launched a website and multiple Wix sites that supplement it, created communications on paper and social media that have gone out to members and potential members and many other functions in marketing, promotions and business development. In addition to the marketing skills, I learned how to conduct myself in an office environment and how to interact with people at different levels in the company. 

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER STUDENTS?

My recommendation for students looking to intern is obviously to do it. I worked manual labor the summer before freshman year and the summer after, and I can’t tell you how nice it is to throw on a suit and sit at an air-conditioned desk for 8 hours instead of weed whacking in 90-degree heat. I have made some incredible connections through company supported networking events and may actually have a full time offer for post-graduation. I would also tell people not to rule out small/local companies as you will likely get more hands-on experience and more face time with executives and senior management. Ask questions and spend as much time with your supervisor as you can. Observe everything you can, write everything down and don’t be afraid to ask questions. They expect someone to be enthusiastic about the job and actual enthusiasm will propel you into your career better than anything else. Additionally, don’t be afraid to talk about your future plans. Sometimes, if you talk to the right people and tell them what you want, you just might get it. And finally, you’re not going to like everything you do. Sometimes, it might feel like you’re doing busy work. This might actually be the case from time to time, but if you just get it done, to the best of your ability with a smile on your face, people will notice and it will help you immensely in the long run.