Huge congrats to Ashley Ellison on starting her new role as a Social Media & Design Intern at The Concept Agency - Digital Marketing Agency 👏

Ashley Ellison didn’t wait to “fit the profile.” She built it from scratch.

As a student at Virginia Commonwealth University, Ashley started as an art student who loved creating things that made people feel something. That passion for storytelling naturally pulled her into marketing.

Instead of waiting for experience, she went out and built it, across three real-world externships:

🎯 Leap — Social Media & Influencer Strategy Externship

📊 Breaking Games LLC — E-Commerce Data Analysis & Strategy Externship

🎥 TikTok — Social Media Content & Brand Strategy Externship

That first externship with Leap turned into her first opportunity:

→ Digital Marketing & E-Commerce Internship at LWK Enterprises

Then she doubled down.

With two more externships under her belt, Ashley built a portfolio grounded in real strategy, content systems, and data-driven insights. The kind of work you can actually show recruiters.

That momentum led to her next role:

→ Social Media & Design Intern at The Concept Agency, where she’s now creating content for DTC beauty and wellness brands across TikTok, Instagram, and more.

3 externships. 2 internships. One intentional path.

In her words:

“My Extern experiences were where I truly found my footing in digital marketing. The hands-on projects helped me build real skills and a portfolio that I could actually stand behind, and that foundation carried me into every opportunity that followed. I truly wouldn’t be where I am today without it.”

Ashley, we’re so SO proud of you. You didn’t wait to fit the mold, you built your own 🎨👏

Extern Success Story: From Externship to Marketing Agency Internship