What’s it actually like to intern at Mars?
What’s it like to intern at Mars? And what do you really learn while working at a digital agency? In this blog, I share my experience as a UX intern at Mars Media.
Thinking about applying for an internship at Mars too? Keep reading.
From UX to branding and marketing
I started as a UX intern, but at Mars you’re free to explore other areas too. I got to work with Hilde, the brand designer, and Emma, the marketing manager. That mix made my internship extra fun and really educational.
From Hilde, I learned how to build strong concepts, explain design choices and present with confidence. With Emma, I discovered copywriting something I’d never tried before, but ended up really enjoying. I learned how to write texts that actually speak to the audience, in the right tone of voice. That mix of UX, branding and marketing made me a stronger designer. You don’t just learn to design, but also to explain your ideas clearly and connect them to a goal.
Learning from the team
One thing I really liked was how open everyone is about sharing knowledge. Emma gave me writing tips, Hilde showed me how she builds brands, and Daan helped me sharpen my UX thinking. You work as one team with designers, developers and project managers, and everyone is happy to help you grow.
A typical week at Mars
Every Monday starts with a design huddle where the team goes over their weekly plans. Then you open Slack, grab a coffee (or a coconut milk cappuccino) and start your day at the office.
You get a solid onboarding week to help you settle in. After that, you slowly start taking more initiative, planning your own work and thinking ahead. You never have to do it all alone there’s always room to ask questions, and the team is happy to help.
What does a 40-hour internship look like?
In a typical week, I spent about:
- 24 hours on UX
- 8 hours on branding
- 8 hours on marketing
UX
Mars mainly builds websites, so I worked on projects for clients like Hikos, Amsterdam Liebe, Physiotutors and Billy Grace designing everything from about pages to pricing pages. I also helped design part of an app and created UX animations.
Marketing
I supported the internal marketing team by writing blogs (like this one) and improving website copy and landing pages. Marketing was new for me, but it turned out to be something I really enjoyed.
Branding
I contributed to Mars’ internal branding by creating content for Instagram, working on website cases, and designing presentations and documents. I also supported client projects. One of my favorite examples was the print design for Billy Grace I got to create a roller banner and table card for an event at the Beurs van Berlage. It was really special to see my design printed and used at such a big event. A lot of these tasks were new to me, but I learned how to tackle them step by step.
Freedom to explore
One thing that makes Mars special is the freedom to explore what you enjoy. When I found out I liked copywriting, I got the chance to help write web copy. That kind of trust and flexibility really helps you grow even outside your original internship focus.
What I found challenging
At first, I found it hard to keep my planning clear and structured. Luckily, Emma helps you with that. You go over your tasks together, get helpful tips and build confidence over time. As the weeks go by, you take more initiative and learn how to plan your own schedule. You also get better at sharing what you’re working on and speaking up during team huddles.
My tip for getting the most out of your internship
There’s a ton of knowledge in the team but you have to go after it. Be curious, ask questions and speak up about what you want to learn or try. The more proactive you are, the more you’ll get out of your internship. And if you ever need help with planning or staying on track, Emma is always there for you.
Want to grow, work with a great team and find out what kind of designer you want to be? Then I definitely recommend doing your internship at Mars.
