Before I started my marketing internship at Millwood, I knew nothing about pallets or the packaging industry. I knew that pallets existed and that products were shipped on them, but I had never put any thought into just how vital pallets are to the economy. Most of the goods we use every day have spent part of their lives on a pallet – over 95 percent, in fact – and, according to the National Wooden Pallet and Container Association, there are over 1.8 billion pallets in service in the U.S. alone each day. Over the course of my internship, I would learn a ton about pallets, the unsung heroes of the shipping industry.
In a typical day in the marketing office, I’ll read a handful of articles or tidbits about pallets in order to glean a few facts and figures to post on our social media pages. In trying to find facts that can be entertaining for an audience, I have learned more information about pallets than I knew was out there.
Not only are pallets a critical component to other industries, but they are actually environmentally sustainable. Wooden pallets can be repaired and reused multiple times, and at the end of their life cycle, they can be turned into wood chips or even broken down for their boards and turned into furniture. DIYers are endlessly creative in how they use pallets. Millwood posts about pallet projects regularly on social media and our blog, and searching for projects to feature is always a fun and interesting endeavor. There are hundreds of pallet projects out there – everything from garden boxes to full-size sheds and more can be built with pallet wood. It’s amazing just how versatile the humble pallet really is.
In between learning the difference between a pallet and a skid, whether or not pallets are sustainable, and how to keep pallets safe in the winter, I have also been learning about the company culture at Millwood. As a company, Millwood strives to maintain the highest levels of integrity possible. In my experience here, everyone I have worked with has been kind, friendly and helpful. As an intern with no previous experience in the pallet industry, I have been graciously given the chance to learn more about pallets themselves and how to market them in a warm and open atmosphere. The environment at Millwood fosters growth and development for all their employees, even those of us who are only on board temporarily.
If you’re looking for an internship in marketing, I suggest you keep an open mind. There is a lot to learn about marketing even in industries you never think about, especially business-to-business industries. Even the most basic products still benefit from marketing, and internal communication within any company is vital. You shouldn’t feel like you have to be working for big companies in B2C industries to gain valuable experience – you can learn a lot even from the simple pallet.
If you are considering an internship at Millwood, in marketing or any other department, you will be surprised just how complex the packaging industry can be. Be eager to learn all that you can from every outlet possible. Millwood is a welcoming place, and the people here will be more than willing to guide and advise you, not just about pallets but about business in general. If you come here open-minded and ready to learn, you will have a great experience. I’ve learned a lot since I started my internship, and I have worked hard, but I’ve also had a lot of fun with it, and I owe that to the warm and welcoming environment I work in every day.