Amanda Rodio
Graduation Year: May 2016
Major: Advertising
Minor: Communication
Hometown: Barrington, Illinois
Campus Activities:
- WPGU 107.1 - Marketing Director and Music Writer
- Delta Gamma Fraternity - VP Communication
- AAF - member
- StarCourse - member
Hobbies:
Playing guitar, traveling, going to concerts, reading, longboarding, anything involving The Black Keys
Internship: In-house Promotions Intern - Metro Chicago
What were your duties?
I was in charge of researching upcoming bands and writing newsworthy articles about those artists. I maintained Metro's professional and social media networks and had the opportunity to post engaging material amongst various musicians, the public and Metro. I designed advertising displays within the venue and networked with different music production agencies and even notable musicians such as Chance The Rapper and Cage The Elephant.
What did you most enjoy about your internship?
The best part about the internship was working with music every day. I got to see the behind the scenes work that goes into putting on a fantastic live concert in the heart of Chicago. Starting with booking the talent, to creating the advertisements, to promoting the show, to setting up the venue, and ending with the grand performance; I was lucky to experience it all and get hands-on experience while doing so.
Also, the perks of being a Metro Intern were absolutely unreal. I was able to go to free concerts all around the city and had the chance to meet some of my favorite musicians. It was an unforgettable summer to say the least.
What was the most difficult aspect of the internship?
The most difficult aspect of the internship was figuring out how to re-advertise concerts that were not selling well. Some artists are not popular in the music scene just yet and it was up to me to do in-depth research to find interesting aspects about the artists and then decide how to best reach their target market. The success of the show depended a lot on the success of my efforts, which made it very nerve wracking and intense.
How did your experience at Illinois and in the College of Media prepare you for your internship?
The work that I am doing at Illinois has directly translated to the work I did at Metro. I've learned imperative research, communication, and creative skills in the classroom that became the basis of every project I tackled at Metro. It's amazing to see my hard work at school paying off.
How has your internship prepared you for a career?
My internship provided me with material that I can add to my portfolio for future internships and careers. I networked with some of Chicago's biggest music media companies and learned professional skills that will endlessly help me in the future. Being able to exercise my creativity daily at Metro was the best opportunity to prepare someone who wants to be a creative director one day.
What recommendations do you have for other students about doing an internship?
Even if the internship is not paid, still apply! The skills and portfolio material I acquired from Metro are better than anything I could have imagined. Also, apply early and follow up through email every so often if you do not hear back from the company right away. Even if you do not receive the internship, the follow up emails will show your dedication and drive to work at their company if you ever want to apply for them again. Lastly, talk to as many people as you can while working at an internship! You never know who has connections elsewhere that could lead you to your dream job.
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