Hear from Alicia Weaver ’19, a recent Albertus alumna who graduated in May of 2019 with a B.A. in Communications from Albertus Magnus College, on her experiences as an intern.
During my time at Albertus, I always thought it was important to seek out internship opportunities so that by the time I graduated, I would have some meaningful experience on my resume that would make me stand out to employers. Although we aren’t required to obtain an internship until our senior year (depending on the program), I got my first internship my sophomore year as a congressional intern working at Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro’s office.
Through Career Services, Wiley Dawson was able to help me get academic credit for this as well as my two other internship experiences. By the time I graduated, I had over 1,000 hours of internship credits. This alone has made me stand out to employers as a self-motivated individual, especially when entry level positions attract hundreds of applicants.
Another great benefit of having an internship is the opportunity for experiential learning. I have gotten so much from my intern experiences that I would have never learned by sitting in the classroom. Classes provide a great educational foundation, but physically being in an office and learning new skills on the job is an indispensable opportunity to learn. My supervisors noticed that I was eager to learn and open to feedback, which allowed me to truly thrive in my positions. Employers take notice of this and sometimes offer interns a full-time position. My senior year I was an intern in the Marketing and Communications department here at Albertus. My supervisor saw my ability to take on challenges and work under deadlines, which led her to offer me a paid position in the department. Although I plan on seeking a full time position outside of Albertus, I have noticed while interviewing that employers are impressed that I went from an intern to a paid role within the department.
Internships also provide valuable networking opportunities. Just recently I was at a networking event at The Blake Hotel in downtown New Haven when I noticed a congressional aide I worked with at Rosa DeLauro’s office. He remembered me and the work that I did during my internship and told me to send him my resume to see if he could find any opportunities for me. It was great to have an established connection who could also introduce me to other people who work in the field I’m interested in.
My position as a Marketing Assistant has not only awarded me unique work experiences but also access to multiple networking opportunities. I’ve attended many events where I had the opportunity to meet others in my field and make connections that will help me in the future. I even met Jen Palmieri, former Director of Communications under the Obama Administration and also known for her work on the Clinton campaign. Conversing with people like her has awarded me invaluable advice that I keep in mind at the start of my career.
My time at Albertus has allowed me to experience a plethora of amazing opportunities. My professors, advisors, and supervisors saw my potential and helped me set myself up to cultivate my skills and interests. Being around like-minded students pushed me to set higher goals for myself and the community that surrounded me helped me achieve them, and for that I am exponentially grateful for the people I’ve met and experiences I’ve had during my four years here.