Meet Isabel Marx: a talented and charming member of the class of 2014! Learn about her summer at The New Yorker, her semester in Madrid, and the amazing things she has done at Conn!
Congratulations on your internship at The New Yorker! Can you tell us about your experience this summer? What was your role?
Definitely! This summer, I worked on the advertising side of The New Yorker magazine. My role was specifically in the Integrated Marketing department where I worked on a variety of projects ranging from learning how to write proposals to potential clients, start up research for proposals, social media research, working events, preparation for the annual New Yorker Festival and much more. It was really cool working in the Condé Nast building, which was always buzzing with excitement. The people I worked with at The New Yorker were so nice and were always thrilled to answer questions I had and made sure I had a worthwhile experience. Each department head even set up lunches for us so we could learn more about the industry and the different departments on the advertising side which I thought was pretty unique. I really like the industry and it’s definitely a career path that I am considering pursuing.
What made you interested in this position?
My mom has worked in the magazine business for quite some time, but on the editorial side. Growing up I always thought working for a magazine would be cool. So I ended up applying for the internship program at Condé Nast, wrote down various publications I would be interested in working for, had an interview, and ended up at The New Yorker! Whether it was with an agency or with publishing, I knew advertising/marketing was something that I wanted to do in the summer so it worked out perfectly.
What was your favorite moment this summer?
Having lunch at the Harvard Club with Lisa Hughes, the Vice President/Publisher of The New Yorker! She is such an inspiring, intelligent woman and I learned so much in the two hours I sat down and had lunch with her and the other three interns!
What did you learn from this opportunity?
Above many things, I learned that the most important aspect of an internship is being proactive! A lot of the time it may be difficult for a supervisor or other people in the department that you’re working to find work for you to do. I learned that it is important to ask questions and ask to be involved in as many things as you can. I don’t think I would’ve gotten as much of of this experience if I didn’t speak up! It’s also important to take advantage of the opportunities given to you, like sitting in on meetings, staying a little later to work on a project, or helping out with an event.
Did your opinion of The New Yorker change and if so, how?
To be honest, I didn’t even really read The New Yorker that much before I interned there. I had read it a few times but was never a voracious New Yorker reader…I always looked at it as a bit too dense for me. However after my nine week internship, I am now a subscriber and read it regularly and have a whole new appreciation for this renowned publication. Although the articles are long and I often only have time to get through a few of them, they are all brilliantly written. I love everything about the magazine from the cartoons, commentaries, Goings on About Town, short stories and especially the covers! It’s awesome that a magazine that has been around for so many years is only continuing to expand its readership both digitally and in print. There are also now more younger readers!
Let’s chat about your experience at Conn. You are the co-chair of SAC, what does this position require?
My position of co-chair consists of a variety of responsibilities; overseeing the general council and the exec board which consists of the following committees; PR/Marketing, Social Events, Music and Entertainment, Finance/Fundraising, Off Campus and Events, and Tech. I also manage a few accounts, run general council meetings as well as brainstorm and do a lot of the behind the scenes work for various events. I love being the co-chair with the fabulous Gracie Pearlman!
What has been your favorite SAC event so far and why?
I think the obvious answer to this question is…Floralia!
In addition to SAC you are really busy playing on the lacrosse team. What is your position?
I am the captain of the varsity lacrosse team and it’s my favorite thing about Conn! I play midfield/attack.
What do you like best about your sport or team?
My teammates! The girls on the lacrosse team are absolutely hysterical, extremely driven, and talented. There are so many unique personalities and there is a never a dull moment. This team is definitely what I am going to miss the most about Conn after I graduate…I cannot believe I only have one more year left of CCWL!
It is still early on in the year, but do you have plans for after graduation and if so, what are they?
I have no idea what I want to do with my life, but what I do know is that I desperately want to go back to Spain. I studied abroad in Madrid last fall and had such an incredible semester and have been dying to go back ever since. I’m thinking of maybe enrolling in a half a year or year program over there where I would teach English to Spanish students. I want to continue to improve my Spanish skills and put them to good use and I also want to do some more traveling! There is so much in the world to see and once I settle into a career I know I’m not going to have to time to do something like this so why not now?
You are now a senior at Conn! Do you have any advice to offer upcoming students?
College FLIES by. Work hard, enjoy every moment, don’t sweat the small stuff, and be kind to people. That’s all!
Thanks for your stories and words of advice! Good luck with senior year and your plans to go back to Madrid!