How One Internship Helped Me Stand Out Among 5,300 Students

By Gabby Hall, Marketing & Communication Support Intern with Invest Hamilton County

There are over 5,300 students who walk the halls of Carmel High School every day. Out of all those students, I often found myself wondering: How do I stand out? How do I take advantage of opportunities that will help me gain experience and prepare for my future? For me, the answer was Work-Based Learning, and specifically my internship with Invest Hamilton County.

At Carmel High School, students can participate in a program called Work-Based Learning (WBL), which connects classroom learning with real-world experiences. Through the Business Administration pathway, I completed courses such as Principles of Business Management, Marketing Fundamentals, and Accounting Fundamentals. While these classes gave me a strong foundation, my internship gave me something even more valuable: hands-on experience.

My experience at Invest Hamilton County helped me grow more than I ever expected, both professionally and personally. Every day brought something new, giving me real-world experience, opportunities to work on impactful projects in the community, and the chance to grow my confidence and independence. I wasn’t just observing—I was contributing to meaningful work that made a difference.

One of the most rewarding parts of my internship was the variety of experiences I had. I created graphics and flyers for meetings and events, helped develop the 2025 Year in Review booklet, and most recently, assisted with planning materials for the 2026 State of the Workforce. Helping plan and attend this event was one of the most memorable parts of my experience because it gave me a firsthand look at the collaboration and organization required behind the scenes to bring a large community event to life.

Another one of my favorite projects was leading the “Talent Tuesday” social media campaign. Through this project, I highlighted interns across Hamilton County by creating graphics and writing captions for Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. This experience strengthened my creativity while giving me more hands-on experience with social media and content creation.

What initially drew me to Invest Hamilton County was its strong focus on community impact and service. Through the Second Chance Fair at the Hamilton County Jail, I had the opportunity to observe justice-involved individuals connecting with employers and resource providers. I also spent time volunteering with resume building and career exploration, which allowed me to interact more personally with individuals working toward rebuilding their futures. These experiences opened my eyes to the challenges many individuals face when rebuilding their lives after incarceration and changed the way I view opportunity and second chances.

What I appreciated most about this internship was how personalized the experience was. Invest Hamilton County, especially my mentor Hadleigh, encouraged me to explore my interests, connect with professionals, and learn more about different career paths. Having someone who genuinely cared about my growth made a huge difference in my experience.

This internship became much more than just work experience. As one student among 5,300 at Carmel High School, it can sometimes feel difficult to stand out. But this experience taught me that growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone, say yes to new opportunities, and are willing to learn. Although interviewing, meeting professionals, and taking on responsibilities outside of school felt intimidating at first, those experiences completely changed my confidence and helped me grow both personally and professionally.

My advice to other students is simple: don’t be afraid to try something new, even if it feels uncomfortable at first. This internship gave me experiences, connections, and confidence that I never would have gained inside a classroom alone, and it showed me how one opportunity can completely change the way you see your future.