From College Intern to Passionate Automation Specialist
I never imagined that saying yes to an online internship during college would be the starting point of my career path.
It all started when I was a 4th-year college student, trying to figure out where to complete my required internship. Like most students, I expected I’d need to find a physical company to work at, maybe something close to home, or even in the city. But one of my classmates stumbled across an opportunity at a digital marketing company, and they invited me to apply too.
I’m so glad I did.
The marketing company welcomed us warmly and gave us full access to their tools and systems. This wasn’t just a “watch and learn” internship; we got hands-on experience with real client tasks. I was working from home, learning things I didn’t even know existed, and building skills that I’d eventually use for years to come.
My First Steps in Automation
The first tools I ever used were GoHighLevel, Zapier, and ClickUp. Looking back, each one taught me something different:
- GoHighLevel was the most overwhelming at first. It’s an all-in-one platform, and I remember spending hours trying to understand all its features. Funnels, automations, pipelines, email templates… it was a lot. But once it clicked, it became one of my favorite tools.
- Zapier was the tool that made me fall in love with automation. I was amazed at how easily it could connect different apps and make things happen automatically. It’s still my top recommendation for beginners, simple, flexible, and incredibly powerful.
- ClickUp, on the other hand, was a lifesaver when it came to organizing my tasks. Even with just the free version, it helped me stay on track and manage everything I was working on. Plus, it was user-friendly and intuitive, something I really appreciated as a beginner.
Challenges That Pushed Me to Grow
While those three tools were my foundation, I quickly learned that every client is different. Not everyone uses GoHighLevel or ClickUp. Some prefer other CRMs or project management tools, and that meant I had to adapt quickly.
At first, it was frustrating. I’d just gotten comfortable with one platform, and suddenly I had to learn a new one. But over time, that challenge became an opportunity. I learned to embrace the learning curve. And one of my proudest breakthroughs? Building my very first website, completely on my own, using a platform I had never touched before.
That moment made me realize: I can figure things out. I can build things. And I actually enjoy it.
Why I Fell in Love With Automation
I didn’t just fall into automation — I grew into it.
There’s a special kind of joy in solving problems. Whether it’s fixing a broken workflow or figuring out why a form isn’t triggering an automation, I feel energized rather than exhausted. It’s the kind of work that makes the hours fly by.
Some people find troubleshooting stressful. But for me, it’s like a puzzle. And every time I solve one, I feel more confident and more excited for the next challenge.
That’s when I knew: This isn’t just a job. It’s something I truly love doing.
If you’re someone who’s just starting out, unsure of where you’re headed, just like I was back in college, I want you to know that it’s okay to start small. Explore. Say yes to opportunities. You never know which one might lead you to something you’re truly passionate about.
Because that’s exactly how I found mine.
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