Where will your internship take you?

Internships are one of the most important and invaluable experiences you could have as a college student. They give you a glimpse into what working in the real world is like. In my opinion, the more internships you have, the better off you’ll be. It’ll make you so much more marketable when it comes time to looking for a full-time job after college. Having an internship sets you up for great success. If you want to get the most out of college, take on opportunities that come along the way, and learn as much as you can, then you will make time to work as an intern, whether that is during the summer or the semester.

During the spring and summer of my junior year of college I worked as a sport management intern for the Philadelphia Phoenix. The Phoenix are a professional Ultimate Frisbee team based in Philadelphia and compete in the Ultimate Frisbee Association (UFA). During my time with the Phoenix I participated in weekly meetings, attended and worked promotion events, assisted client and ticket services, helped with game day responsibilities at home and away stadiums, ensured customer data and information, aided in ticket sales and merchandise sales, assisted in creating content for the team’s social media page, and much more. I had such a blast working for the Phoenix and am so glad I had such a positive first internship experience.

I was presented with the opportunity to travel with the team to their away games, including internationally. I traveled with the team to their double header in Canada, which was my first time out of the country! The Phoenix played Toronto on the first day and then traveled to Ottawa to play Montreal on the second day. Both games yielded victories, and the Phoenix returned to Philadelphia triumphantly! I was able to expand my technology skills and create content for the team. I even made a commercial spotlighting the interns, who included Mo’ne Davis, famous former Little League World Series pitcher. In the team’s fourth annual live NBC Sports Commonwealth Cup game against the Pittsburgh Thunderbirds, we won! That was also my first time making it on television, even if it was only for a glimpse!

Over this past summer, I was a ticket sales intern for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. They are a professional ice hockey team that competes in the American Hockey League (AHL). Their home rink is the PPL Center in Lehigh Valley, PA. I really wanted to work for the Phantoms, especially after going to my first game on New Year’s Eve with my family. That was such a fun and memorable night. I was the first and only ticket sales Intern they have had, and I hope they continue with the internship program because it really opened my eyes and showed me what it’s actually like working on the business side of sports in the off-season.

My commute was over three hours round-trip, and I was working regular contract hours like the other sales representatives in person from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. If I’m being honest, these were some of the longest days of my life. It was a lot having an internship, working another job, and taking multiple summer classes. Most 21-year-old college girls’ summers do not look like mine, but to me it’s worth it because I know that the sacrifices I make now will pay off in the long run.

As a ticket sales intern, my day-to-day life on the job looked very similar. I made over 40 outbound sales calls per day, conducted research on local businesses, and participated in weekly meetings across different departments. Two things I value most are consistency and structure, and this job gave me that. On my first day, I was already doing role plays ... and before I knew it ... I was on the phone talking to single game buyers. Every time I picked up the phone, I felt a mix of emotions between nervousness and excitement because I did not know what the other person was going to say or how they were going to respond to me. I always made sure I was prepared with the proper materials and information and was armed with my critical thinking skills. Some calls went better than others, but over the course of two weeks I gained 22 new leads. 

My boss was ready to hire me after he saw that.

Connections mean everything in the workforce. If you prioritize networking and make strong connections, securing a job will be much easier than applying for a job and being one of thousands of applicants. I got both of my internships through connections, and I’m very fortunate to have great people in my life who are supportive, uplifting, and encouraging. Both internship experiences were very different from each other, but that made them all the greater.

It's important to diversify your experience, so you find out what you like and dislike about the job before going into the real world and trying it out for the very first time. Some companies will even hire you as a full-time employee after graduation if you do a really good job and they feel that you are a good fit for the company. It’s like an audition in a way.

How great would that be to have an internship that turns into a full-time job? You just never know where it could lead you, so make the most of every internship opportunity.

— Lillie Corino, a senior business administration and communication studies major at Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg with an emphasis in management and organizational communication, is interning with the Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications this fall. She's a native of Bucks County who enjoys spending time with her family, pets, ESA, watching Friends, seeing Morgan Wallen in concert, playing lacrosse, and going shopping with her mom.

#BloomOnward #HuskyLife

So many reasons

I think there’s always a reason that makes everyone’s experience here in Bloomsburg University unforgettable.

For me, that’s a number of reasons.

At the start of my junior year, I transferred to Bloomsburg University. I had attended West Virginia University for two years studying forensic science — where I found I wasn’t so suited for chemistry. I decided it was time to pack my bags and look for a new direction. It wasn’t until I stumbled upon BU that I found that direction.

I was a stranger to the town, the people, and campus itself — and despite only touring campus once during orientation, I was ready to start somewhere brand new to me. Although I was ambitious to get involved during my remaining time, I was unsure of what path awaited me. Now looking back, I can confidently say I’ve found my way. It’s crazy how in the constant turning of the world, one can occasionally find that state of calmness — the one where it feels as though all of your blocks are falling into place. For me, that happened during my time here in Bloomsburg.

I went on to pick up communication studies — a study I’m now passionate about and wish I’d found sooner. This program has allowed me to explore my creativity by equipping me with the skills to take up digital design, social media marketing, or really anything within this realm. The important thing to note is I’m not limited to just that. The communication studies program prepares you for a world of possibilities — it’s just up to you to find your path.

I went on to join Sigma Sigma Sigma national sorority and found friendships I will hold near and dear to my heart for the rest of my life. Not only that, but I also met Jaime North through our educational program for Greek life, who went on to later become my internship supervisor this semester. As eager as I was, I also went on to join the Frederick Douglass Debate Society where I met some amazing role figures: Robert Green, Erin Brummett, and Shavonne Shorter — all of which belong to the communication studies department. 

As someone who loved debates in high school, the Frederick Douglass Debate Society allowed me to continue my enthusiasm. My experience with this group was incredibly rewarding as it was constantly bettering my argumentation and research skills.

Then the pandemic hit, and my world flipped upside down.

All of those study sessions in the Harvey Andruss Library turned into at-home homework. Typical hangout sessions turned into group Facetimes, and free time transformed into finding new hobbies to take up the time, like trying new recipes or picking up scrapbooking. One of my favorite recipes that came out of the pandemic was something that was trending on TikTok: Fold-over wraps. These were something I was crazy about — always trying to brainstorm new takes on the wrap for different mealtimes.

Then in the fall, things changed again — but I argue for the better. We returned to campus (sort of) and found new ways to make our time in Bloomsburg remarkable.

All of that work I put into online classes paid off. I came back with better online study habits and a determination to work toward graduation despite the question of in-person or online classes. Those distant Facetime calls made me miss the friends I’d made — making seeing them again something I can appreciate so much more now. And those hobbies I picked up have gone on to spark “New Food” nights with my friends where we try out things we’ve never had before. Surprisingly, one of my best friends had never tried fish until this semester so of course this was a meal we had to cook up, among others. I also began my internship with the Office of Marketing and Communications this semester and I’ve found some passions I’d never known before — specifically, passions for content creation and marketing. Because of this, I started applying to marketing jobs and even had my first interview for a potential real-life job upon graduation.

Now looking back, I can’t imagine my time holding anything less than my countless study sessions in Andruss — the place I formed so many friendships in group study rooms — or those late nights with my best friends. I can’t imagine not meeting the people I have, or not finding myself as an individual and professional. My new reality is something I’ll never take for granted again, especially in light of all of the changes we’ve faced in the past year alone.

Little did I know I’d find so many reasons for why Bloomsburg was so special to me. We all have our reasons. I wonder what yours may be.

— Caprice Gillick, a senior communication studies major with an emphasis on leadership and public advocacy, is interning with the Office of Marketing and Communications this spring. She is a native of York County and a member of the Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority.

#BloomOnward #HuskyLife

Coffee with President Hanna

I recently had the opportunity to speak with the president of the university Bashar Hanna. It was the first “Chat with the President” event of the semester and was in the Starbucks café.

I was there to observe the event for my internship. The president asked about my coursework in communication studies, what my favorite and less favorite classes were. He also asked about my career aspirations. I told him that I planned on working in the Marketing and Communications Department at Geisinger as I interned for them over the summer. He told me to make sure I have the experience on my resume, and when I went to apply he would put a word in for me because one of the university trustees works for Geisinger and likes to hire Huskies.

President Hanna was very friendly and amicable. I never had met a university president or someone in a similar position of power, so I was surprised with how open and friendly he was.

He was also talking with a biology major about the struggles of organic chemistry and her career aspirations. I was surprised when he said he took organic chemistry as well. He also talked to a marketing major about the local bowling club.

Many students were thankful for the coffee vouchers. A few students stopped by to talk with the president for a short while.

— Gabriel Miller, senior communication studies major

What aids me through these tough times are the friendships

First-year College Student Affairs cohort at CSA orientation

Yet, what aids me through these tough times are the friendships that I have built within my graduate program. Many of my peers, including myself, lean on one another for support and guidance on how they personally handle their work and as a means to handle our own stress.

Consequently, in all of our classes we have group projects which allow us to work with our peers and gain new insights on topics that we way not have known anything about. However, finding time to meet with our groups is not always the easiest thing to do, since every person has their own GA, class, homework schedule, and some students have another job, a family, or commute to campus.

While there are some days that have been completely stressful, there are more that remind me of how much I love being at Bloomsburg and in the College Student Affairs program. For example, with my assistantship, we took 100 students to New York to visit Ellis Island, and the 9/11 Museum. We frequently take them to Hazelton to volunteer with the young students there for educational services we can provide. Working with my students and supervisors has brought me such joy in a short amount of time that I cannot wait to see what is to come.

Until next time,

— Jen Cole, #ProfessionalU #SAPro

Cole is pursuing her Master's in Educational Leadership through Bloomsburg University's College Student Affairs (M.Ed.) program.

Working to find my next 'good life'

Honors mentors and mentees at Knoebels having a scream off on the Pirate Ship (Galleon)

Packing, moving and saying goodbye are three recurring themes in a college student’s life. Yet, what the world does not tell you is that some things, like packing an overnight bag, start to become second nature when traveling to friends’ houses or to and from home.

Settling in to the PA climate with some new gear

Along with, your “home away from home” becoming the place where you build your greatest memories, life, and friends. Even after years of the “good life” when college graduation rolls around, how could you possibly be ready to move on and start somewhere fresh when one still has more of the “good life” left to live? After all, college does not typically become boring or repetitive.

In the end, one must acknowledge that every journey does have a stopping point as another has a beginning. And this is mine. Hello Bloomsburg, I am Jen, a recent graduate of Radford University in Virginia, a native of Maryland, and now a new graduate student in the College Student Affairs program, working to find my next “good life.” Join me every month as I discover what it is like to be a Husky and engage in adventures of learning how to be a graduate student and graduate assistant to the newly formed Honors College.

Orientation and Welcome week flew by and I developed a plethora of fresh memories, extra friends, and memorable moments! In Honors, we participated in team building activities (with pasta and marshmallows of course), tours of campus and downtown, took a trip to Knoebels, and created a Goose Chase for our mentees to remember building locations.

This packed-full week opened my eyes to the numerous bonds, growth, and spirit that the Honors College is going to bring to the students through the staff, mentors, and me. I simply cannot wait to continue being a part of everyone’s miraculous journey here at BU.

— Jen Cole, #ProfessionalU #SAPro

Cole is pursuing her Master's in Educational Leadership through Bloomsburg University's College Student Affairs (M.Ed.) program.