By Hannah Hanson
With graduation approaching in May, many seniors have begun the after-college job search. One way the Longwood Communication Studies Department helps their students find a job after college, is requiring students to work at an internship at some point in their college career.
Although completing an internship can be somewhat stressful, Assistant Professor, Dr. Alec Hosterman says that the ends justify the means. Hosterman believes that, “the benefits of having our students complete this process gives them all the opportunity to take what they have learned over the course of their college career and apply it outside of the classroom. Not only are they gaining experience, they are building their resume, and giving themselves an advantage within a sea of recent graduates.”
Types of internships range from managing social media accounts for an organization to working in a radio station.
Sarah Toler, is a senior in the Communication Studies department, is currently working as the Social Media Coordinator for InnerWill Leadership Institute in Manakin-Sabot, Virginia. Her job responsibilities require her to stay up to date on social media trends and create marketing plans for InnerWill. Toler also follows a social media posting schedule, has to create content for all of InnerWill’s social media platforms, and attends events for the company. Toler says, “Even though what I am doing is a lot of mass media and I am a public relations concentration, the Communication Studies department has taught me how to be flexible and bring both concentrations together.”
Alyssa Taylor is completing her internship with the Longwood Office of Alumni and Career Services as a marketing intern. Alyssa spends her time creating and sending out a monthly newsletter, working on destination surveys for recently graduated students, creating a full communication plan for the VASE conference, and helps with tasks around the office. All of the work she has to do has specific deadlines that she has to meet. Taylor accredits the Communication Studies department for her ability to organize and be punctual with all of her work.
Not all internships are in Virginia. Allyson Stone had a week long internship with FOX in Houston, Texas for the Superbowl as a Production Runner. Stone spent her time in Dallas running errands for her supervisors, greeting guests, and directing celebrities, like Tim Tebow, to hair and makeup. Stone volunteered for the Vice-Presidential Debate that was held at Longwood and was placed with FOX. The FOX representatives were so impressed with her work that they hired her to work for them during Superbowl 51. At the end of the week Stone had put in 86 hours of work, 22 hours just on the day of the Superbowl. Stone said the support of the department prepared her for her role in Dallas.
The Communication Studies Department believes that their students truly benefit from working at their internship. Students are able to grow from their experience, which allows them to figure out what they truly want to do with their career.