The following article appeared in the From The Hill Magazine 2020 Issue. Follow these links to make a gift, update your information, or submit a class note.
A hallmark of an Albertus education is participating in experiential learning. Several campus departments host internships and work-study, providing real-world experience prior to graduation. Here are three students who had such experiences in the Communications and Marketing Department.
Leilim Chang-Salazar ’20
Leilim is a master in time management. From taking on a full course load in her undergraduate Communications and Healthcare Management programs and working a part-time job, to balancing two internships in her final semester at Albertus – she does not plan to slow down now. A New Haven Promise Scholar, Leilim began her college career at Albertus in 2016 with an interest in marketing and public relations.
“Financial Aid made sure I didn’t have to take out too many loans and always had my best interest in mind. They were always available to see me and I was able to receive academic scholarships to help me pay for my education.”
Since then, she has take the knowledge from her classes and put them into action, working with MarComm to write articles for From The Hill, translating YouTube videos into Spanish, and helping to organize college-wide events and photo shoots.
Leilim produced the 2019 “Latino Media Conversation” during Hispanic Heritage Month. At this meeting, she was able to talk with a number of Spanish and bilingual media stations – wowing them with her story of growth and skills. The second annual event took place virtually in October 2020 and was just as successful.
Leilim is now enrolled at Albertus as a graduate student in the Masters in Business Administration program. She plans to enter the healthcare field where she wants to find a career in promoting the good work of hospitals and organizations that help the community.
Alex Mitchell ’21
Alex Mitchell came to Albertus in 2017 as a transfer student studying Communications. He began interning with the Communications and Marketing department in 2018, with a strong interest in video production. Working closely with the College’s videography vendor, Alex quickly became a part of the team effort.
“During my internship, I was able to work with someone with over 15 years of professional experience, both shooting video and mixing audio. I was able to learn about how to control shutter speed, white balance, lighting, and what makes a good shot. Learning from a professional made me feel confident in what I knew and inspired me to learn as much as I could.”
Alongside gaining technical skills in hardware and industry software, such as Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects, Alex has learned the importance of soft skills too.
“Whether it was speaking up in a meeting or giving a suggestion on a project, I felt as if I was a part of a team. This internship gave me experience in an office environment where I was able to develop my communication skills, become more organized, and conduct myself in a professional way.”
As Alex looks toward graduation in 2021, he is excited to put his newfound confidence to the test. He has already secured a second internship at a production agency in New Haven and continues to use his lessons at Albertus to prepare himself for the workforce.
Jerry Randolph ’20
Jerry Randolph is an international student who was born and raised in Malmo, Sweden and graduated from Albertus in 2020 with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications. He came to the Communications and Marketing department with a goal to share the Albertus story from the international student’s perspective. In the process, Jerry sat down and interviewed students from around the globe; Pakistan, Australia, Canada, Ghana, the Dominican Republic, and more.
For Jerry, the liberal arts environment fostered at Albertus is a key component to his academic success.
“I love the fact that Albertus is a liberal arts college. Albertus helps students to broaden their minds by allowing them to study various courses within humanities, arts, and sciences…it helps connect you with people from different backgrounds and build lifelong friendships. These special people gave me the drive and desire to continue my education.”
With English as his second language, Jerry spent time as an intern learning how to communicate as an interviewer and presenter, giving him preparation for future job interviews. Jerry’s knack for conversation has given him a chance to network with professionals across the Greater New Haven area. After graduation, Jerry plans to run his own travel and tour company back home.