I was working at the Center for Cultural Engagement which is the connection of the study abroad center. Responsibilities were included, but are not limited to, various video editing and posting as required. Individual and combined clips of international students, Conducting additional student interviews via video, for later use. Sending surveys and collecting data as requested. SAnd assisting the CGE to implement consultant initiatives for digital marketing, completing tasks as requested from the other sections of the department.
In the beginning I worked for the Study Abroad Program center putting up posters and helping to set up the study abroad fair with the intern from that department. Before moving on to doing research for the global engagement center, I was looking into how other universities that are part of a conference and what they do to try and engage international students by looking into their social media. I had to compare and contrast all of them as well as come up with future ideas based on the information I found to make the social media project better (to give ideas to a consultant).
Afterwards I was given the opportunity to video interview many international students for different projects. Some were for the international student program and how they are handling their school life and academics. The second project was on the bridge program students and how the programed has helped them with being in America. And finally a new master’s program was introduced because of the Center for Global Engagement and I interviewed the one student that had been a part of it.
I finished the projects for Winnie from Taiwan, Nina from Columbia, Gui from Spain, Crystal from Nigeria, and Silvia from Italy. They all had different experiences while being at Longwood and I tried to show their individuality.
https://longwood.app.box.com/folder/151991653383
Towards the end, I would say this experience had helped me get to know the office better as well as the students. Since I spent the beginning of my internship in the office. I have also been offered a job to work their for another year after the internship ends.
- What challenges did you face?
I faced the lack of knowledge that I didn’t feel prepared for, when making the videos I couldn’t feel content with any of them. And because of situations they were not able to turn out the way that I had wanted them.
My main problems came when I needed to edit on the greenscreen and it either came out different than I had hoped or untangled. So I did have to receive help, not that I am ashamed of that but I was hoping I would be able to just do it.
- How has it affected your career search?
It has given me another option, I did enjoy working with international students and seeing how a global engagement office works. I would definitely apply to a university to work in this kind of office, it overall gave me perspective I hadn’t thought of before.
- Have you gained the skills you hoped you would detailed in the 1st journal entry? Why or why not?
I was able to work well with everyone, and schedule on time as I was able to keep things consistent. I overall enjoyed my time researching other schools and I feel that I was able to use my researching skills well.
I am disappointed in my edits, however, it gave me practice and I will be able to do better in the future with this knowledege.
- Did you achieve the goals you set during your performance evaluation? How so?
When sitting down with my director, she told me that I had surpassed her expectations. Even though we had not gotten through the entire list of things she wanted done, she would like to continue to work together to complete the list.
- How do you feel you were mentored?
It was more hands off and I appreciated that, she asked for timelines and I gave them to her and more or less met the deadlines. She met with me once a week to check in and to give me new work to do and I believe that was the most helpful to me. Because to be breathed down my neck would have not been a helpful way of getting me to do my best, I would only be working fast. So her approach had me getting things done properly.
- Would you suggest this organization/company to future students seeking internships?
Yes, this was a great place to work. Always make sure you are following the schedule and checking in because the office is always busy but they do need the social media help as well as videos to be made for promotion and to gain the interest of prospective international students. So come ready to bring ideas.