- Graduation Year: May 2015
- Major: Journalism
- Hometown: Streamwood, IL
- Hobbies: Reading, drinking coffee, exploring Chicago, watching the news (No… seriously), trying new restaurants, going to museums, swimming, rooting for Chicago sports, Beyonce, going to concerts, and making the most of my time with my friends and family.
Campus Activities
- Illinois Student Senate
- Student Alumni Ambassadors
- Undergraduate Advisory Group.
Internship |Office of the Vice President for Research|Communications and Marketing Internship
Duties?
While working at OVPR, my duties are centered around blogging; aiding in the creation of social media campaigns and newsletters; compiling data that deals with social media metrics and startup success; and helping in the process of establishing communication channels for the University.
What did you most enjoy about your internship?
Since OVPR works with all three Illinois campuses, it has been extremely interesting to see the wide array of projects that UIC, UIS and UIUC are working on. Also, I have learned so, so much about the complex world of startups and technology, in addition to the vital role that the phenomenal city of Chicago plays in it.
What was the most difficult aspect of the internship?
On a personal basis, I struggled with staying on top of the large amounts of data and metrics that we are responsible for aggregating. Still, once I figured out how to sift through all of it, my job became a lot easier!
How did your experience at ILLINOIS and in the College of Media prepare you for your internship?
Above all, Illinois – and particularly the College of Media – has helped perfect my communication skills, and the ways in which I carry myself in an ever-changing world. While most Media students assume that we are expert communicators (myself included), the real world often provides an eye-opening experience that highlights the things that you need to work on.
How has your internship prepared you for a career?
This internship, in particular, has shown me the ways in which I can stoke my creative juices and innate intellect to the best of my ability. While it is easy to state the skills and knowledge that you possess, it is usually much more difficult to put them into practice, especially when it comes to fields or knowledge sets that you are unfamiliar with.
What recommendations do you have for other students about doing an internship?
I do not say this in a boastful manner, but this is not my first internship. If I could lend any advice, I would say that all students – but particularly Media students – should be open to any internship that comes their way. Even if it is far out of your field or comfort zone, experience is still experience. Never rule out an opportunity, because it may end up surprising you. It may seem like a waste of time at first, but I guarantee that, in the end, you will learn something about the professional world and about yourself.