The Department of Career and Professional Services at Albertus Magnus College helps students in developing, evaluating and implementing a career and professional development plan. Gaining ‘real world’ experience is incredibly important in understanding your coursework on a practical level. The workforce has changed drastically in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, and our students are adapting to these new guidelines, completing their Fall semester internships remotely, in-person, or in a blended format.
Meet a few Albertus students who are taking their classroom knowledge into the workforce.
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Currently a senior at Albertus Magnus College, Natalie Garcia will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice in May 2021. Being a remote intern for the Connecticut Judicial Branch in Hartford, CT did not stop Natalie from learning all she could.
The Experiential Learning Program she was a part of allowed her to explore more potential job opportunities in the fields of public policy and criminal justice. When asked about working in a professional setting, Natalie stated that “I have learned how important it is to be aware of your environment and that every person needs to be treated with respect and kindness.”
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Christian Parillo is a Communications major at Albertus Magnus College, and will be graduating in May 2022. His internship was at the College itself, and participated both virtually and on-ground. Being accepted into the Communications and Marketing department internship program, he focused on film production and digital asset management.
“I try to learn something new each day and take on jobs in the internship to improve my skills and expand my opportunities.” Christian is excited to be presenting his project outcomes and learning experience as an intern at the 2020 Virtual Experiential Learning Day.
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Seeking a Bachelors in Criminal Justice, Natalie Hicks will be graduating from Albertus Magnus College in May 2021. Natalie was given the opportunity to work remote at the State of Connecticut Judicial Branch in Hartford, CT in their Experiential Learning program.
“I have learned career management skills and developed into a person that will follow guidelines. I pride myself on being on time. I also have learned that it is critical to follow the organization’s mission while always being ethical and professional.”
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Sport Management major Daniel Debartolomeo, is currently a senior and will be graduating in the Spring of 2021. Daniel interned on ground in the Town of Easton, CT.
During his time, he had many different roles and looked for new opportunities to grow as a business professional. “I was able to identify my strengths while completing my internship and will be able to use these strengths to grow as a professional. I am able to use the proper technology at my internship site effectively and learned to be more efficient when communicating with co-workers.”
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Lyshonda Mercer-Rodriguez is currently an undergraduate Psychology student at Albertus Magnus College and will be graduating in May 2021. Lyshonda completed her internship at the Sterling House Community Center in Stratford, CT. Attending her internship in person, she was able to become more confident in her work and discover a new career path entirely.
“Working with children has shown me the things I need growth in, and it has helped me to understand where I want to go with my career in the future. Since I have been at my internship, I have shared my ideas to help support the more challenging students and I have demonstrated empathy; talking with children who are dealing with their emotions.”