Meet the New GGCC Intern, Emily Santini

When I started working for the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce (GGCC) six years ago, I was tasked with the duty of overseeing our interns. Annually, we support the Northwest High School’s Internship program by sponsoring a student for the school year. This is an invaluable relationship where we are able to develop and watch our intern grow academically, professionally, and personally. And since its inception, we have participated in the Montgomery County Summer Jobs Program. Through this program we are able to provide a youth with a priceless opportunity to gain meaningful work experience.

Both programs afford us the opportunity to work closely with youth to help them succeed in the workplace, advance their education, and become strong leaders and engaged citizens.

Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber’s Intern Emily Santini & Director of Events & Marketing Laura Rowles at the GGCC Business Card Exchange Lunch at Buca di Beppo.

This year, we have the honor of having Emily Santini as our 2014-2015 intern. She is a senior at Northwest High School in Germantown and aspires to have a career in business. She is actively involved in her schools POMS team, Track & Field, as an ambassador and is an honor student.

Santini started her internship with the GGCC on September 2 and since then has worked diligently and has quickly become an asset to this office.

I mentioned to her that I write a blog for Montgomery Community Media and wanted her to write about her experiences here as the GGCC intern. She seemed “okay” with the idea.

Recently, Santini accompanied me and the other Chamber staff and members to two events – a Business Networking After Five and a Business Card Exchange Lunch. I asked her to write from her heart, her experience with these events. Below is her story. I hope you enjoy her perspective as much as I enjoyed reading it myself.

Emily Santini: My Perspective as the GGCC Intern

“As an intern at the GGCC, I have recently had the privilege of accompanying Laura to two different networking events. The first was a showcase of area non-profit organizations at Smokey Glen Farm. As I stood at the table and checked people in, I met so many interesting and outstanding people and volunteers who do so much for the community, which inspired me and made me realize how incredible of an opportunity I had been given.

The following week I went to a business card exchange lunch at Buca di Beppo where Colette gave a speech about public speaking. This was a fantastic learning experience as I will be presenting my final research project at school in January. I know I will carry with me the tips I learned and the experience I gained through crafting my “30-second infomercial”. As nervous as I was being a typically shy person in front of so many successful business owners who had just spoken about their jobs, I stood and incorporated what I had learned into a brief explanation of who I am and my plans for the future. I gained a sense of confidence by the end of the lunch and can’t wait to go to another event.

Stay tuned for future “Emily Santini: My Perspective as the GGCC Intern”.

The GGCC is active in providing business-to-business networking opportunities throughout the year: a collective voice in local, regional, and state legislative affairs, professional development opportunities and other services that enhance the business environment.

The GGCC is located at 910 Clopper Road, Suite 205N, Gaithersburg, MD. To learn more about the GGCC visit us at www.ggchamber.org. Find us on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gaithersburg-Germantown-Chamber-of-Commerce/64339954570. And on Twitter at @GGCCNEWS.

About Laura Rowles

Laura authors the blog Your Success is Our Business on MyMCMedia. Laura is the Director of Events & Marketing for the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce - a member-based organization of businesses that have joined together for the purpose of promoting the civic, commercial and industrial progress in our communities. The area's economic well-being is a result of the caliber of work that is done by the Chamber. The Chamber has a major impact on business, income and future growth of the area. My position at the Chamber - Director of Events & Marketing - affords me the opportunity to plan quality events for our Members and market the Chamber is a variety of avenues. At the GGCC, we typically have around 30 events each year including: breakfasts, lunches, after-five's, ribbon cuttings and special events. The consensus is we have high quality events with good energy. In 2012, we had over 2,040 people visit our events. Most our events are free to Members so securing sponsorships for all events. Additionally, I am responsible for planning networking, overseeing the budget and marketing of all events in order to make them successful. Lastly, I coordinate all marketing and communication efforts of the GGCC including weekly email blasts, its quarterly newsletter, all social media platforms, media relations and community outreach.

View all posts by Laura Rowles