ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½

Global media and digital studies major applies ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ education in Kazakh global markets

Zhansaya?Azhdarova?’25, a?global?media &?digital studies major and?statistical?and data sciences?minor?at ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½,?interned at?Atameken,?Kazakhstan¡¯s?national chamber of?entrepreneurs,?aiming to be the bridge between?the?government and a?range of businesses.?Through this Micro Fellowship,?Azhdarova gained hands-on experience in marketing and data analytics,?developing strategies to support?Atameken¡¯s?growth?and performance. The internship allowed?Azhdarova?the opportunity to apply?her liberal arts education from the College?to real-world economic initiatives,?expanding her?professional network?in global markets.?

“This internship helped me clarify that I want to build a career at the intersection of marketing, technology, and economic development.”¡ªZhansaya Azhdarova?’25?

FINDING OPPORTUNITIES??

I first learned about the internship opportunity and APEX Micro Fellowships through ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½¡¯s career services resources and faculty recommendations. The position was a strong fit for me because it aligned with my academic focus in?global media & digital studies?and my interests?in entrepreneurship and digital marketing. It allowed me to apply my skills in communication, research, and technology to support?Atamenken¡¯s?small and medium enterprise?(SME)?development, while also giving me exposure to public¨Cprivate collaboration, which connects closely to my long-term career goals.?

LESSONS LEARNED??

What interested me most was seeing how digital marketing and data analytics directly?impact?SME growth. Each day, I worked on tasks like analyzing social media metrics, preparing presentation decks, and?participating?in consultations with entrepreneurs. I also joined meetings with government and business representatives, which gave me insight into how policy and business development connect.???

GUIDANCE FOR GROWTH??

This internship helped me clarify that I want to build a career at the intersection of marketing, technology, and economic development. Before, I thought mostly about pursuing a marketing-focused path, but now I see how important digital transformation is for SMEs and how public¨Cprivate collaboration shapes real opportunities for growth. It?hasn¡¯t?completely changed my career plans, but it expanded them, I now see myself working in roles where I can combine my skills in digital strategy with larger goals of economic and social impact.??

WHAT¡¯S NEXT??

My Micro Fellowship experience was incredibly valuable because it gave me hands-on exposure to real-world business challenges and public¨Cprivate collaboration. I gained practical skills in digital marketing, data analysis, and professional communication, while also learning how to navigate meetings with entrepreneurs and government representatives. Overall, it strengthened my confidence, clarified my career goals, and showed me how classroom knowledge can be applied to meaningful work in the field.?

Featured image: Zhansaya?Azhdarova?’25 spent the summer interning at Atameken, developing skills in marketing and data analysis. Photo provided by subject.

Posted in Experiential Learning, Showcase Stories 2025 on August 6, 2025.