Career Development

Rebecca Gaston

2013-05-06T15:22:31Z

Internship Profile

Rebecca Gaston

Expected Graduation Date: May 2013

Major: Social Work

Internship Employer: Next Step Perception Program

Internship Title: Clinical Intern

Rebecca is Social Work major, a senior at Eastern Connecticut State University and since the Fall of 2012, an intern at the "Next Step Perception Program" here in Willimantic, CT. As an intern at this program she worked among a population that had dealt with the Department of Corrections, mental abuse, and substance abuse. While interning at the program, Rebecca took on a variety of tasks such as interviewing clients, develop recovery plans for clients, help clients develop proper social communication skills and much more. "This internship was a step outside of my comfort zone which made it challenging" says Rebecca. "She goes on to say "However after numerous interviews after numerous interviews this was the perfect internship to be a stepping stone towards my goals" Rebecca plans to go attend Graduate School. Afterwards she plans to continue to help those that suffer from mental and substance abuse. To those who are planning to or currently seeking an internship Rebecca says to start early. The longer one waits, the more you hurt yourself in the end. Rebecca also says it is crucial to know where you want to be and to not be afraid to come out of your comfort zone. "An internship is a learning experience; not only about the real world but also yourself"

Story by: Reginald Boahene

Rosheka Gray

2013-04-29T20:49:19Z

Internship Profile

Rosheka Gray

Expected Graduation Date: December 2013

Major: Communication

Internship Employer: ECSU Alumni Affairs

Internship Title: Event Planning Intern

Becoming the Event Planning Intern at the Alumni Affairs office at Eastern Connecticut State University was not exactly what Rosheka Gray expected it to be. "I expected the position to be a regular office job, with no hands on experience whatsoever" say Rosheka. However an internship is to give students a real world experience and the real world experience is full of surprises. Rosheka found that this internship was a lot more than that of an office setting. While interning at Alumni Affairs she planned alumni and network events on and off campus, create fliers, handled vendor transactions and much more. Gray says that being the previous treasurer of the African Club and the current president of the West Indian Society has have given her the skills needed to plan events, execute tasks, and collaborate with others. These skills have helped her during her internship. Her internship has also provided her with the opportunity to meet Alumni of Eastern Connecticut State University, as well as contacts that could very well aid her in the future. She also had the opportunity to attend Alumni Association board meetings. Rosheka says that "whether you need an internship or not everyone should pursue one. They are stepping stones to your future."

Story by: Reginald Boahene

Joshua Stark

2013-04-29T20:31:53Z

Internship Profile

Joshua Stark

Expected Graduation Date: Fall 2013

Major: Business Administration

Internship Employer: U.S. Department of Commerce

Internship Title: Intern

Joshua Stark is a Business Administration major at Eastern Connecticut State University. Joshua learned of his internship at a career fair called "Heroes for Hire." Joshua started his internship at the U.S. Department of Commerce during the Fall of 2012. "As a business major, a position at the U.S. Department of Commerce was a step closer toward my career goals" says Joshua. Joshua says "I was looking for an internship where I could capitalize on what I had learned at the university and wanted an internship that would give me more insight into the professional business world. I was interested in an internship that would give me responsibility and challenge me on a daily basis" The internship at the U.S. Department of Commerce proved to do just that. Stark utilized what he had learned at Eastern as well as learn new aspects such as the importance of exports in the local economy and marketing materials for trade. Stark also learned how to navigate a vast number of databases used by the U.S. Department of Commerce. It was a challenge according to Stark, but nothing he couldn't handle. Joshua plans on working for the U.S. Department of Commerce in the near future. For those seeking an internship, Joshua offers some advice. "Don't get discouraged when searching for an internship, there are a number of companies and organizations in Connecticut looking for motivated students to work for them. Also, take advantage of every networking opportunity that you can".

Story by: Reginald Boahe

Maura McCabe

2013-04-29T20:16:57Z

Internship Profile

Maura McCabe

Expected Graduation Date: May 2014

Major: Business Administration

Internship Employer: Ticket Network

Internship Title: Human Resources Intern

Maura McCabe is a Business Administration major with a concentration in Human Resources. Through the "College 2 Career" Career Fair advertised by The Center for Internships and Career Development, Maura learned of the Ticket Network internship and pursued it. As the Human Resources Intern, McCabe worked directly with the Vice President of the Human Resources department to complete various projects as well as participate in weekly staff meetings. This gave her a glimpse of what a career in the Human Resource field would be. After attending school, McCabe's goal is to become a professional in the Human Resources field. McCabe says "this internship has allowed me to step into the business setting which is on step towards my goal."

Story by: Reginald Boahene

Stephanie Venuti

2013-04-15T13:10:12Z

Internship Profile

Stephanie Venuti

Expected Graduation Date: May 2013

Major: Mathematics

Internship Employer: Gottier Investments

Internship Title: Analyst Intern

Stephanie Venuti is Mathematics major at Eastern Connecticut State University. With the help of her Economics professor during the fall of 2012, she was hired at Gottier Investment in Windsor, CT as an Analyst Intern. As an intern, her responsibilities included creating stock and mutual fund portfolios and analyze the risk of each portfolio. While interning, Stephanie gained very valuable field knowledge such as different types of investments, utilizing new software and how to apply all of them at the same time. Venuti states "I was looking to learn as much as I could and I succeeded." Venuti looks to become an Investment Portfolio Analyst in the future. With the valuable knowledge and contacts she obtained from her internship, she is one step closer to that goal. For those looking to obtain an internship, Stephanie offers a bit of advice. "Utilize the staff here at Eastern. Once an internship is obtained be ready for anything"

Story by: Reginald Boahene

Stephanie Venuti

2013-04-15T13:10:12Z

Internship Profile

Stephanie Venuti

Expected Graduation Date: May 2013

Major: Mathematics

Internship Employer: Gottier Investments

Internship Title: Analyst Intern

Story by: Reginald Boahene

Jennifer Catone

2013-03-19T18:20:54Z

Internship Profile

Jennifer Catone

Expected Graduation Date: May 2013

Major: Communications

Internship Employer: XL Center

Internship Title: Operations Intern

Jennifer, a Communication Major is no stranger to extra-curricular activities around campus. Along with being a senior at Eastern she is also involved in clubs on campus such as T.V. 22 and the Sports and Leisure Management Club. She also works for "The Campus Lantern" and is a member of the Communications Honors Society. During the Summer of 2012, Jennifer participated in an Internship at the XL Center in Hartford Connecticut as an Operations Intern. She learned about the internship through Anthony Rosati, the Event Manager of the XL Center and Eastern Connecticut State University Alumnus during her sophomore year. While at her internship, Jennifer gained crucial and valuable experience in how a facility operates. "I learned a lot of behind the scenes information such as how to cater to the needs of a lot of people." Along with gaining experience, Jennifer established beneficial contacts and is currently employed at the XL Center. Cantone gives a word of advice for those seeking an internship. "Find an internship you will enjoy, not one that you get just to fulfill a requirement.

Story by: Reginald Boahene

Shelby Andrelski

2012-12-04T19:48:10Z

Internship Profile

Shelby Andrelsk

Expected Graduation Date: May 2013

Major: Communications

Internship Employer: Mass EDMC

Internship Title: Promoter

This semester Shelby Andrelski participated in an internship with Mass EDMC as a promoter. Her responsibilities included promoting shows through social media and working behind the scenes to help set up and put on shows. Shelby learned many things during this internship that will help her be a more sufficient worker in the future. "I learned a lot about the effort that goes into events such as ticket sales, and planning."

Shelby hopes to one day be a booking agent, and this internship will only bring her one step closer to that goal. "I love music and I want to be around it so learning how to put on shows was really cool and I got some great experience." She got to do many things in this internship that she has always been interested in doing. This just goes to show you that there are internship opportunities out there for everyone.

Getting an internship is a big deal, and Shelby now understands this. You're not necessarily going to love your first job, but it will only help get you to that place. She urges students seeking an internship to go for it. "I say go for it. Find an internship doing something you're passionate about, it will help put things in perspective."

-Story by Dan Calzone

Rebecca Ingoglia

2012-11-30T13:29:06Z

INTERNSHIP PROFILE

Rebecca Ingoglia

Class of May 2014

Visual Arts Major (Graphic Design and Photography)

Internship Employer: New London Main Street

Position Title: Graphic Design Intern

Sometimes, you have to chase after that dream internship and it can take months (or maybe a couple of years) to get a hold of it. Other times, that dream internship is right under your nose and jumps out when you least expect it. Rebecca Ingoglia's, a junior studying Graphic Design, was just like the latter. While Rebecca was completing her Graphic Design II course, her professor informed the class about an internship available with New London Main Street. Seeing an opportunity, Rebecca went out on a limb and applied and was met with great success.

Over the summer she completed her Graphic Design internship with New London Main Street, a non-profit whose goal is to revitalize New London's downtown. While there, she did basic office work along with the work in her given field. She designed website banners, 'Thank You' cards, name tags for business meetings, and even went as far as taking pictures of New London and interviewing the owner's of new businesses. Using this work experience, Rebecca says she learned a lot about working in an office setting and how to operate under stress. In addition, she also learned how the real world works in the Graphic Design field, an insight that is important if you're looking to succeed.

Rebecca's advice to the prospective intern is quite simply to "find what you're actually interested in." The most valuable experience you'll get is doing something you enjoy, so don't settle for less than what you're looking for. She also emphasizes to "do your research". Know who it is you're looking for and know about the businesses you're looking at. It's as simple as that.

Story by Alexandra Remy

Krystal Jones

2012-11-26T13:57:02Z

INTERNSHIP PROFILE:
Krystal Jones

Business Administration Major and Human Resources
Class of 2013 (September)

Title: Financial Analyst Intern
Employer: Electric Boat (General Dynamics)

For the past two summers Krystal Jones has been a Financial Analyst Intern for Electric Boat, the producer of Groton's famous nuclear submarines. While there she has led a "classified" internship dealing with some very sensitive material. Explaining that most of what she does is confidential, she was able to let in on a few details of her work there. The basics of her duties are to make certain that buyers were operating in the most cost effective ways. Basically, to ensure Electric Boat continues to make money and not lose any. She also participated in audits on company issued credit accounts and oversaw some contractual agreements. Overall, she has been issued some very important tasks.

While finance wasn't her first choice, Krystal admits her internship is an easier task than it sounds. There's little to no math involved (something that scared her) and she relished in the great work environment. She was lucky to be able to work alongside her father and enjoyed having him as a co-worker. When it comes to her future goals, she's not sure what she wants to do. Electric Boat hires many of their interns and she admits that it wouldn't be a bad option. Despite her uncertainty in her future career goals, she has embraced every second of her time at Electric Boat. To her, it was a way of gaining the "real life experience" that prospective employers drool over.

Krystal's key advice for anyone pursuing an internship is "to network". If you're lost, you can find your way in school sponsored internship programs and if it's paid, then go for it. But don't exclude anything! "Look into all opportunities. Just because it's not your first choice, don't exclude it," she advises.

Outside of her summer internship, Krystal works a retail job at Trailblazer's Mohegan Sun location and for three years attended Norwich's Three Rivers Community College. Now, as a Business Administration (Human Resources) major at Eastern Connecticut State University, Krystal looks forward to graduating in September 2013. She plans on returning to Electric Boat in the Summer of 2013.

Story by Alexandra Remy

Eric Alan

2012-11-12T13:14:44Z

INTERNSHIP PROFILE:
Eric Alan

English Major
Class of 2012 (December)

Title: Officer Support Assistant
Employer: United States Coast Guard

In today's economy, turning an internship into a career is a hard trick to pull. Most college students work for free and are given valuable real world experience, but don't have the career to show for it. Eric Alan, due to graduate this December, can say he beat the odds. After having served in the U.S. Coast Guard for many years and lovingly tended to his farm in Mansfield, CT, Eric returned to school to study English at Eastern Connecticut State University. Through his military experience, he eventually acquired a working role with ECSU's Vets Center. It was with their guidance that he secured his spot in his life's goals.

Over the summer Eric interned with the U.S. Coast Guard Academy as a Library Assistant. His day to day tasks included book sorting and shelving, interpersonal interaction, and manning the circulation desk. Eric inevitably hopes to receive a MS in Library Science and pursue whole heartedly his dreams of being a librarian. This internship, to say the least, was a perfect fit for him. And in the end, it was his internship with the US Coast Guard Academy that gave him a full time job staffing their library. His internship turned into success, bringing him where his goals wanted to take him.

While not every internship will turn into a job, it is important to give it your all. Working hard is the path to success. "Work as hard as you can, even if you are just an intern," Eric adds, "If you impress the right people you can get a full time career position." He followed his own advice and now comfortably begins his life in the book shelves.

Story by Alexandra Remy

Kelly Hill

2012-11-09T15:58:14Z

INTERNSHIP PROFILE:
Kelly Hill

Communications (Photography) Major, Philosophy and Studio Art Minor
Class of 2013

Title: Radio Host/Assistant Intern
Employer: Radio i98.3

How many times have you searched for an internship and none of them seemed to interest you? They all seemed boring, dry, and the standard office slave work. If you don't want your internship to revolve around retrieving your higher up's coffee, then maybe look into something more innovative. Take, for instance, Kelly Hill's internship. A senior with her plate full studying Communications and two minors, Kelly won this past Spring's Excellence Expo for her work done relating to a Communications Law and Ethics class. Luckily, the judges were so impressed by her that an internship offer came out of it. One of the judges worked for Willimantic's Top 40 radio station i98.3. Since then, she has been working a unique and youthful internship with the radio station, quite happily too.

Within her internship, Kelly is given dual roles as a radio host and an office worker. While in the office, she'll work on compiling the events calendar and put on air the most important ones. But it's on Friday mornings from 6-10 that she gets to have all the fun. As an on air host with her own time slot, she has to conjure up plenty of material to keep listener's interest. Jokes, politics, and news are aplenty in Kelly's average morning routine and her time at the i98.3 microphone has proved to be eye opening.

It's not unusual for a to-be-college-grad to not have an exact career direction. Kelly was one of these prospective grads. She began her focus in Photography with the aspirations of being a Sports Photographer. Since then, though, she has become a bit unsure. "This [internship] has broadened my horizons," Kelly proclaims of her time at i98.3. Through her radio work, she's begun to lean towards the career path of radio host. Her internship accomplished one of its many purposes: to give direction.

While not everyone will have such a "cool" and "hip" internship, it's important to know that anyone could have one just as equally fun and worthwhile. It's just a matter of looking. As for Kelly, she recommends you begin your internship journey at a point in your college career when you have the time. Squeezing it in with a hectic schedule, though sometimes unavoidable, has potential to ruin the experience. Outside of scheduling, "leave a good impression". Kelly even admits that how you act during your time spent at your internship is vital because inevitably, "they'll be the ones writing your recommendation".

Story by Alexandra Remy

John Bronzo

2012-11-06T20:10:19Z

Internship Profile

John Bronzo

Class of 2013

Major: Business Information Systems

Internship Employer: Windham Hospital

Internship Title: Entry Level Intern

This semester John Bronzo got the chance to intern at Windham Hospital right here in Willimantic Connecticut. He spent much of his time shadowing the Director of Clinical Informatics. His main responsibilities included helping with any clerical office activities, and interacting with nurses and physicians. He got the chance to get a close look at the operations at Windham Hospital, and asked many questions along the way to further his understanding of how the hospital works.

John even had the opportunity to sit in on training sessions with clinical analysts to learn the inner structure of the computer systems used at the hospital. Seeing how nurses, physicians, and patients interact with the healthcare information systems has allowed John to better understand the system as a whole, and how it is applied to the operations at the hospital.

John hopes to one day obtain a job position related to healthcare informatics. He has enjoyed his time at Windham Hospital and is eager to get into the field full-time. The skills and knowledge he has gained during this experience will be nothing but beneficial going forward. He heard about this internship opportunity through faculty in the Business Information Systems department. John urges others looking for an internship to be eager to learn from the experience. "Come eager to learn and be open to any opportunity that presents itself."

Story by Dan Calzone

David Marceau

2012-10-18T18:18:31Z

Internship Profile

David Marceau

Class of 2013

Major: Business Administration

Internship Employer: Sherwin Williams

Internship Title: Entry Level Intern

In the summer of 2012 David Marceau got the chance to intern at Sherwin Williams. He was a member of a team of interns and worked on a project to improve "Lead Generation." As part of his team, David had to present his research and findings to the president of sales. This was one of the most nerve racking experiences of his life but he passed the test with flying colors. After his groups presentation the president of sales commended them on their efforts. Aside from his work with a team, he also answered phones and dealt with customers.

"It was great to learn how to be a part of a bigger team, to collaborate with others to get the job done." David got invaluable experience working with a team at Sherwin Williams. Even though this job didn't directly correlate with his eventual career goals, he still learned many new things that will aid him in the future. "Overall it was a great experience for me."

David learned about this internship opportunity through the Center for Internships and Career Development here at Eastern. His biggest piece of advice for those looking to follow in his footsteps and obtain an internship is to be actively engaged in the workplace. "Ask questions. No question is a stupid question. Put yourself out there. Experience it all while you have the chance."

Story by Dan Calzone

Sebastian Walsh

2012-10-16T18:07:05Z

Internship Profile

Sebastian Walsh

Class of 2013

Major: Business Administration

Internship Employer: First Investors, East Hartford

Internship Title: Entry Level Intern

Sebastian Walsh is currently partaking in an internship at First Investors in East Hartford. He is an Entry Level Intern, and performs tasks that are assigned to him by a sales representative. So far he has had to work in the mail room, licking and stamping envelopes. As time draws on, Sebastian will get to perform more important tasks, but he first has to pay his dues. Recently he was asked to read over a climate portfolio, and see how the investments the company was making were working out.

Sebastian has hopes of one day being a stock broker, and this internship will only help guide him in the right direction. He is learning a lot about how a business works at First Investors, and this is his first chance to work in a business office environment. This experience has taught him that it will take a lot of hard work to get the job of his dreams.

Sebastian heard about this internship opportunity through the Center for Internships and Career Development. He then applied, interviewed, and eventually got the job. His advice to other students looking to get an internship is to make sure you apply early. "Apply early. Don't limit yourself to just one company."

-Story by Dan Calzone