Recently in Business Category

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

Expected Graduation Date: May 2014

Major: Business Administration

Internship Employer: Ticket Network

Internship Title: Human Resources Intern

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 

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

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

INTERNSHIP PROFILE:

Tierra Downie

Class of May 2013

Business Administration (Management)

Internship Employer: Enterprise

Position Title: Intern Management Trainee

            As a teenager, Tierra Downie's parents required her and her siblings to work at Six Flags as a means of developing character and work ethic. Not only has her work experience done that, but it has also created a very humble, down to earth woman. She has since moved on to be a senior at Eastern Connecticut State University, studying Business Administration and Management. In addition to her studies, she remains President of the on-campus student organization F.E.M.A.L.E.S., is a Peer Counselor for the Center for Internships and Career Development, and holds an internship at Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

            For five months Tierra has worked hard at Enterprise [Windsor, CT & Springfield, MA], a position she learned about through a guest speaker with F.E.M.A.L.E.S. Through her internship she has learned valuable lessons in customer rapport, networking, and general business. She assists with sales, customer service, and upselling from day to day. Tierra puts emphasis on the fact that Enterprise is an "open door" business. Managers and executives work on a name to name basis and, like all employees, even washes cars with them. For her humble upbringing, it's a very accommodating work environment.

            Unlike many of her peers, Tierra feels that uncertainly post-graduation isn't necessarily a bad thing. After school, she's unsure of whether she'd like to go to Graduate school or start her own business in healthcare contracting and supplies. "Get out there. Go," is Tierra's philosophy, "Try it. It's alright to be unemployed. It's alright not to know. I can fail and get back up." For now, she's working towards her degree with plenty to keep her occupied in the meantime.

            Her "if you fail, bounce back up" theory applies even to the hunt for an internship. "Just because it doesn't pertain to your major, don't count it out. There's always a fit for someone. Never take no. No means 'not now'. Go somewhere else. A lot of people are so easily discouraged." If you fall down, simply brush yourself off and get back up again.

Story by Alexandra Remy

INTERNSHIP PROFILE:

Charlotte Smith     

Class of May 2013

Business Administration (Marketing and Finance)

Internship Employer: Aetna, Inc.

Position Title: IVL/SG Broker Services Intern

Charlotte Smith certainly was a "busy bee" this past summer. The Business Administration senior (focus in Marketing and Finance) was kept active through Aetna's internship program. As one of the nation's (and world's) largest health insurance companies, Aetna hires a slew of interns every summer to populate their Hartford, CT campus. Charlotte, being one of those interns, worked for Broker Services. Through this position, she was handed an array of tasks including data analysis, marketing material production, creation of diagnostic reports, and helping "plan incentives for the brokers to perform their best."

As for her experiences, Charlotte says she learned a lot during her stay with Aetna. Not being familiar with the healthcare industry, she says that "the entire time was a learning process." In addition to familiarizing herself with the industry, she was able to become well-rounded in all things business. Instead of learning just one skill set, Charlotte learned many. "Through this opportunity," she says, "I have been able to gain experience in marketing, finance, data analytics, event planning, and I have been able to work with other departments as well.  This variety of experiences will help me in the future when finding a career and make me a more valuable employee."

            Having pulled from her internship what employers find most important, Charlotte advises internship seekers to "start early" and "not limit yourself." Don't confine yourself to only the skill sets you know or think you need. Try everything because "you never know what you'll end up with!"

Story by Alexandra Remy

INTERNSHIP PROFILE:
Lisa Cassella                                                   

Business Administration Major and Marketing
Class of 2013

Title: Marketing Coordinator
Employer: Chartwells

            Marketing and business is a competitive field and Eastern Connecticut State University senior Lisa Cassella knew this when she began her internship at Chartwells in Willimantic, Connecticut. As a Business Administrative major, Lisa has taken on the position of Marketing Coordinator with Chartwells. Three additional interns are under her supervision and they work with a sense of camaraderie on a daily basis. Together, the four of them make up a student powered marketing team in which they work cooperatively in advertising, event planning, and social media. Their tasks are to create and promote events, keeping fellow students on a need to know basis about new happenings and the social media available at their fingertips.

            Lisa's position as Marketing Coordinator is the perfect fit for her end goals. "I plan to take on a job in the near future that involves marketing and strategic planning," Lisa stated about her plans for her career. To her, this is not just an internship, but a learning and growing experience. On a daily basis, she is able to interact with the skills needed for a career in marketing. With hands on experience with event coordination, promotion, and a great management team, she's able to evaluate her progress and constantly improve in her field of expertise.

            Lisa believes the most important aspect of choosing your internship is to look at what things are important to you and "choose an internship that aligns with them." She believes that the only way to have the best end result is to be involved with something you enjoy doing. Great advice from a student who is fast on her way to success!

Story by Alexandra Remy

INTERNSHIP PROFILE:
Kyle Droniak

Business Administration Major and Marketing
Class of 2013

Title: Management Trainee Intern

Employer: Enterprise 

Kyle Droniak, a senior in Business Administration and Marketing, is the definition you'd see in the dictionary under "ambitious". Throughout his stay at Eastern Connecticut State University, Kyle has held a colorful foray of positions. Recalling fondly as it being his most enjoyable job, he was an Orientation Counselor for Eastern's incoming freshman for two summers and as a sophomore, he was employed by the Center for Community Engagement. Amidst all of this, Kyle managed to spend an enlightening three to four months in Milan, Italy. During his trip to Italy, the opportunity for an Internship arose.

 After corresponding with The Center for Internships and Career Development, Kyle secured a paid internship in Danbury, Connecticut with Enterprise Rent-A-Car. While employed with Enterprise, he was in charge of sales, customer pick-ups, call backs, and much more. When asked what the most difficult part of his internship was, he explained that it was the "long hours". Three out of his four days a week spent at Enterprise were twelve hour days. In the end, though, it paid off. He admitted that if Enterprise were to bring him on full-time, it wouldn't necessarily be for his decent sales numbers, but for his dedication and friendliness. "Everyone liked me... I was normally the last one to leave," he commented on his long days.

Kyle is now in the first semester of his second internship. He currently works as a Peer Counselor with The Center for Internships and Career Development. As a Peer Counselor, he promotes the CICD, gives presentations, and informs the student body of what Kyle refers to as "things people should know" and "real life skills". Something he believes that more Universities should teach.

Kyle expressed that, ten years down the road, he would love to work with The Center for Internships and Career Development doing personable work with those seeking guidance. And his advice to all those seeking internships? "Do more than one [internship]. Do as many as you can... get your feet wet early." And, the most important advice yet, "be flexible and show willingness to work".

Story by Alexandra Remy