Angel Gastelum Linkedin
I am Angel Gastelum, an intern at Nativa during the spring 2025 semester. I am a senior at Arizona State University studying Digital Audiences and will graduate in May 2025. This internship at Nativa has been one of a kind, and I loved every minute of it. I learned so much from the experience and met so many amazing people.
From Fear to Hope
To backtrack a bit, I was struggling even to get accepted into an internship before my internship. It being my last year as a senior made me kind of scared as I had never had an internship before, and I knew how crucial they are for helping you get real-world experience. Thus started my frantically applying for internship era, where I was applying left and right to internships, but I wasn’t getting any interviews or constant no’s or “Thank you for your application, unfortunately we won’t be moving forward with your application at this time”. This started driving me crazy, and I was so close to giving up. It threw me into a really sad point in my college career since I applied to 100+ internships (not an exaggeration), and out of those only had 2 interviews, which resulted in a no, as mentioned before.
One day, I heard back from an internship I applied to titled “Marketing Intern, Nativa Multicultural Marketing Agency”. I was super excited and very grateful I received an interview. After receiving that email, I was both excited and nervous. I didn’t want to get my hopes up too high, but I also had a really good feeling that this might finally be my chance at an internship. I went through the interview process with Nativa, and I was offered the it! I remember feeling a bit of relief and disbelief; after so many rejections, someone was finally giving me an opportunity. It felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders, and I was eager to prove myself.
An Amazing Journey
Once I started at Nativa, I quickly realized how much I had to learn, but I was ready for the challenge. The team was incredibly welcoming and supportive, which made the transition smoother. I was given real responsibilities, from assisting with marketing campaigns to participating in team meetings. Each task taught me something new and helped me grow both professionally and personally. Looking back, I’m grateful for the struggles I faced in securing an internship because they made me appreciate this opportunity even more.
I’m incredibly thankful to Nativa for taking a chance on me and providing such a supportive environment. A special shoutout to Eric Diaz, the President of Nativa, whose leadership and guidance made a significant impact on my experience. Eric’s dedication to multicultural marketing and his commitment to fostering talent created an atmosphere where I felt valued and motivated to contribute meaningfully. Every day, I felt like I learned something new, and I loved coming to work with a team who was always happy to work and learn from others.
Reflecting on my journey, I realize how pivotal this internship has been in shaping my career aspirations. My experience here even helped me secure a summer internship as well!. The hands-on experience, coupled with the mentorship I received, has not only enhanced my skills but also boosted my confidence as I get ready to graduate. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of a team that values diversity, creativity, and growth. Thank you, Nativa, and thank you, Eric, for making this an unforgettable chapter in my academic, personal, and professional journey.
