If I had to describe my internship at Pinpoint Precision Engineering, I’d say it’s the kind of experience that teaches you something new every single day. I serve as the Marketing Associate, which basically means I help shape how both the company and its nonprofit arm, the Pinpoint Scholars Foundation (PSF), show up in the world.
Because Pinpoint is a small but growing engineering firm, my role stretches across a lot of areas. Some days I’m writing, other days I’m designing, and sometimes I’m doing a bit of everything all at once.
Hybrid Work = Different Kinds of Days
I split my time between being in the office in Chicago and working online. Office days are usually more collaborative; meetings, brainstorming, planning our events or programs. Remote days are quieter and more focused, which is great for writing, building decks, or tackling bigger projects.
Mornings: Getting Aligned
My mornings often start with a quick check-in with our leadership team. Since the company is still fairly small, these conversations feel very real and direct. I get to sit in discussions about our podcast, or how we want to position PSF to donors and industry partners.
A lot of my morning work includes things like:
- Drafting social content or event messaging
- Updating our marketing documents
- Reviewing plans for upcoming PSF programs
- Making edits to marketing materials
I’ve realized that marketing inside a small organization requires you to switch gears quickly, but that’s also why it’s so interesting.
Afternoons: Creating, Building, & Connecting
Afternoons are where I usually get into the deeper work. For example, I might be:
- Designing flyers or one-pagers for PSF
- Creating slides for board info sessions
- Researching community organizations to partner with
- Drafting outreach emails or donor communication
- Helping plan logistics for events
This is also when I work the most closely with our foundation efforts, which has been one of my favorite parts of the internship. It reminds me that marketing isn’t just about the brand; it’s about how you connect people to something meaningful.
Evenings: Thinking About the Bigger Picture
Because Pinpoint moves fast, I’ve gotten used to pausing at the end of the day to reflect. What did I learn? What worked? What can I do better tomorrow?
I’ve learned how much strategy goes into even small marketing decisions, and how important consistency and clarity are when you’re building a brand and a nonprofit from scratch.
What I’m Learning
This internship has taught me:
- Designing flyers or one-pagers for PSF
- Creating slides for board info sessions
- Researching community organizations to partner with
- Drafting outreach emails or donor communication
- Helping plan logistics for events
I didn’t expect to be this close to the decision-making process, but that’s what’s made this experience so valuable.
Final Thoughts
No two days look exactly the same at Pinpoint. I’ve gotten to contribute to projects that matter, sit in rooms where real decisions are being made, and help shape the early identity of a foundation focused on STEM access and community impact.
It’s been challenging in the best way, and it’s helped me grow not just as a marketer, but as a person.
