Recently in Success Stories Category

Rebecca Gaston

Expected Graduation Date: May 2013

Major: Social Work 

Internship Employer:  Next Step Perception Program

Internship Title: Clinical Intern

Story by: Reginald Boahene 

Rosheka Gray

Expected Graduation Date: December 2013

Major: Communication  

Internship Employer: ECSU Alumni Affairs

Internship Title: Event Planning Intern

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

Stephanie Venuti

Expected Graduation Date: May 2013

Major: Mathematics

Internship Employer: Gottier Investments

Internship Title: Analyst Intern

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

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

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

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:
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