Rachel Dalton '16 -The Wilds

Name: Rachel Dalton

Class Year: 2016

Major: Zoo and Conservation Science

Hometown: Columbus, OH

Internship: The Wilds

Location: Cumberland, OH

Internship Responsibilities:

This past summer I had the incredible opportunity to spend 10 weeks as a Conservation Science Research Intern at the Wilds, a 10,000 acre safari park and conservation research facility (the largest in the country!) in Cumberland, OH. My primary responsibilities were related to the research project I was assigned, which involved examining the potential applications of a species distribution monitoring technique known as eDNA monitoring with the Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis). The Wilds is often described by the research staff as a living laboratory; I had the opportunity to interact with this "laboratory" not only through the field work and molecular work involved with my research, but also in contributing to other studies involving the distribution of bobcats on Wilds property, developing alternate browse sources for giraffes, and assessing what environmental factors may influence terrestrial salamander populations. I also had the opportunity to assist with the Wilds' reintroduction initiative for the largest salamander species in North America-- the endangered Eastern hellbender.

What I Learned: 
I received mentoring from professionals in the zoological and conservation research fields. As someone who aspires to one day contribute to these fields as well through zoo and wildlife veterinary medicine and research, I cannot begin to express how much their investment in my fellow interns and I meant to me. I truly believe that my time under the tutelage of these experts and the opportunities I had to conduct meaningful research of value to conservation at the Wilds made me a better researcher and future zoological professional.

Neal O'Brien - Resolute Athletic Complex

Neal O’Brien '87 is one of the co-owners and operators of the Resolute Athletic Complex, and he also plays the lead role in their internship program.

Resolute has a very small staff, and when it comes to business related functions, they need people they can trust and give small, but important, jobs. For example, things such as setting up financial reports might not seem important, but they need smart and motivated people with a base knowledge who can complete important tasks. The primary roles that the interns serve is to assist with budgeting, financial documents, marketing, operations, and facility management. In Mr. O’Brien’s opinion, their internship is ideal for students interested in sport management. It is a great way to get a feel for whether or not it might be the right career for them. 

Mr. O’Brien said, “We only hire interns from Otterbein because my wife, Maureen, and I are both Otterbein grads. So we felt that it was important to give back to Otterbein, and one way we can do that is to provide these opportunities to students. Also, since we are Otterbein grads, we look for similar people who possess the qualities that we had when we left Otterbein.”

The best way to get an internship, especially at small businesses like Resolute, Mr. O’Brien said, is that, “more than anything else, you need to have the same drive and desire that we had in building our business. So you have to understand that it took a lot of time, energy and effort to start our own business, and if you can’t bring that same amount of energy to an internship, at least from a small business aspect, then it reduces the impact you can make.” According to Mr. O’Brien, you really have to be all in. By all in, he means the internship has to be important to you. You have to be on time, and realize that anything that is asked of you is critical. To have the best experience, you must be dependable.

His best advice is to know everything you can possibly know about the company before the interview, because there is no excuse for being unprepared. He says, “There is so much information out there that there is no excuse for coming into an interview and being unprepared. Have questions that you want to ask. At the same time, try to anticipate the questions that an interviewer might ask you. It will make you feel more comfortable. And lastly, be energetic.”

If you are interested in an internship at Resolute Athletic Complex, contact Neal O’Brien at neal@resoluteac.com or check Cardinal Careers.

Shirine Mafi - Business, Accounting and Economics Professor

Dr. Shirine Mafi teaches Principles of Management, Operations Management, and occasionally Performance Improvement. She is also a strong advocate of internships for her students. 

She said, “Internships give students an idea of what it’s like to be a professional in that field, and it can help them decide if that is really what they want to do or if they want to do something different. It allows gaining experience, and with that comes confidence. It gives them job possibilities, they get to know co-workers, customers, vendors. They get to go to meetings and meet new people. Internships teach students about professionalism and corporate protocol.”

Dr. Mafi says that while students are at school and still taking classes, she has seen a very significant difference in students who have internships versus students who don’t, particularly in terms of asking more sophisticated questions, taking class work more seriously, and understanding the context of the theories being discussed in class. Internships also show students what it takes to be successful, because they see role models in their area. They understand what it takes to be successful, to be noticed in any profession, because a lot of what an internship is is hard work and dedication.

On how she helps students with finding internships, Dr. Mafi said that she starts her advisees in their freshman year, and she tells them to look at companies they would be interested in having a career in. She said, “You need to think of options and start planning for an internship going into your junior year or senior year. Internships have several advantages, when it comes to potential jobs in the future, because through the internship, the boss has seen you work, so they don’t have to train you because you've been there, and you’re more comfortable in the work environment because you already know the ropes.”

As for the application process, she tells students to be themselves. They also need to know the job or jobs they’re applying for, what skills are needed, and why they are a good candidate. They need to look up what’s gone on in the past few years in the industry, so the employer can tell that they've done their research. It’s always good to have one or two good questions ready to ask the employer. Always send a thank you note. An email with no typos is nice, but a handwritten note is better. She said, "An internship is a 6-12 month job interview. They’re watching you." She encourages interns to be a sponge, absorb a lot, not to be afraid of challenges, be open to new experiences, and be a team player.

She says that for any internship that comes her way, she tries very hard to post it on her blackboard or announce it in class, as her way of encouraging students to apply. If there is an employer coming to campus, she will try to make a point of going and hearing what they have to say so that she can help the students who might be interested in that job. She recommends students use the Center for Career and Professional Development, Otterbein alumni, their parents and community service to put them in touch with professionals in the area. When guest speakers come to class, get their card. She recommends LinkedIn as great way of connecting with people. "If the CCPD is offering mock interviews, jump on it. It’s never too late to work on interviewing," says Dr. Mafi. 

Nikki Sherbahn '15 - Exel, Inc.

Name: Nikki Sherbahn

Year: 2015

Major: Management

Hometown: Danville, OH

Internship: Human Resource Intern at Exel, Inc.

Location: Westerville

Internship responsibilities: 

Interaction and reporting to the Human Resource Manager while executing assigned projects. File maintenance and reorganization, conducting ASC (America's Support Center) orientations, affirmative action planning distribution and feedback. Interacting with Exel senior leadership while performing research and completing projects. Handling scorecard report, diversity planning, and communicating updates on projects as necessary.

What I learned: 

Throughout my time at Exel I have learned several new communication skills from meetings with senior level management, constant contact through email and over the phone conversations. The ability to be clear, concise, and direct while also being friendly is extremely important in the professional workforce. I have also picked up many different skills in planning large events for the associates here at America’s Support Center. I am also gaining experience using several software systems through my internship. Specifically the use of Oracle HRMS (Human Resource Management System).

Advice about searching for an internship:

Put yourself out there! Do not be shy or embarrassed when conversing with people. Always slip in to conversation that you are looking for more experience and would love an internship (paid or unpaid) when talking to strangers. Also, FOLLOW UP! Give the company a phone call to check on your resume and/or application, it lets them know that you are seriously interested. Be polite, have good manners while interviewing, and most importantly, be confident!

Advice about how to make the most of an internship experience: 

It is obvious that no one really enjoys paper pushing. But do it anyway, with a smile on your face. Pick up any tasks that you can get and don’t be afraid to ask for more! Always look for new things to do, you won’t believe how much you can learn. By offering your help anywhere possible, it also shows others within the company that you are flexible and willing to take on new tasks.

Adam Piccin '16 - Columbus State Community College

Name: Adam Piccin
Class Year: 2016

Major: Public Relations

Hometown: Lewis Center, Ohio

Internship: Student Marketing Assistant

Internship Site: Columbus State Community College

Internship Responsibilities:

As a Student Marketing Assistant at Columbus State Community College for the summer, I completed a variety of exciting tasks that have helped me grow as a student and professional. I devised, launched, and then updated an Instagram account for the university of more than 30,000 students. Additionally, I planned events, advertising, and promotional items for CSCC's 50th anniversary, wrote copy for website blurbs and scholarship emails, took photos for Facebook and Instagram accounts, contacted students by phone and email for office needs, assisted with RSVPs for events, completed research on transient students, college contact forms, and promoting events, attended multiple CSCC video shoots as an "extra," and more. I truly enjoyed my experience working for the university in the Marketing and Communications Department.

What I Learned:
From interning at Columbus State, I learned a lot about marketing and public relations in the real world. I gained experience in writing, editing, creating and developing social media presence, communicating strategically to target audiences, planning for events and ceremonies, and executing conceptual plans from start to finish. This internship built a solid infrastructure for me to continue to grow and build upon, and I am very thankful to have had this opportunity.

Jonathan Cross - Northwestern Mutual

I sat down and talked to Jon Cross recently, and he told me all about his role at Northwestern Mutual. He said that his role is a hybrid role. About 70% of his time is spent as a financial adviser. In that capacity, he said he meets with clients, helps them set their long range, personal, professional, and financial goals, and then helps them work on ways to achieve those goals. The other time is spent as a managing director at Polaris. He is responsible for recruiting their financial advisers and developing new financial advisers.

When asked why he likes to hire interns, he said, “Simply put, it is our single most important recruiting strategy.” What he has found is that most industries put their interns behind the scenes. What Northwestern Mutual does is they put their interns in front of the client, help them develop their communication and interpersonal skills, and this helps the interns because then we know how they work, and they are more confident in their job. Over 50% of the field directors, managing partners, etc. were all interns, so their internships tend to lead to leadership development.

Primarily, interns will take the role of a financial adviser. They call on prospective clients, and ask them to sit down and meet with them so they can learn about their financial status. They then work with a veteran adviser and they figure out a plan for that client, and then talk to the client about that plan. It’s basically walking the client through the financial planning cycle from basic goal setting to implementation.

We take students from Otterbein, Ohio Wesleyan, and OSU. However, Mr. Cross likes to work with Otterbein students because he says that he can relate to the liberal arts background, and appreciates Otterbein's commitment to developing well-rounded students. Mr. Cross believes that the general engagement level, socially and otherwise, is very high at Otterbein. He looks for students who are involved in many different activities, and it’s easier to find someone like that at Otterbein than at a larger campus.

Mr. Cross’s advice to students during the application process and interview is to not be over polished. Most of his hiring decisions are based on a combination of the notes he takes in the interview, and the gut feeling that he walks away with. Mr. Cross said, “If you were able to carry the conversation and be engaging, in my world, that goes a long way. I instantly connect with someone who is open and vulnerable, because I know they are being real with me.”

Once you obtain the internship, Mr. Cross advises finding a mentor in the company. Also, you should try to set meaningful goals and hit them. If you’re an intern, there’s usually a supervisor who will help you set those goals. And make sure to hit them, because then you know you’re getting something out of it.

If you are interested in applying for an internship with Northwestern Mutual, contact Jon Cross at (614) 222-6017.

Michelle Axe '15 - Nationwide Children's Hospital

Name: Michelle Axe
Class Year: 2015
Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Chemistry minor
Hometown: Marysville, Ohio
Internship: Intern at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in the Emergency Department
Location: Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio

Internship Responsibilities: 

As an intern in the Emergency Department, I enroll eligible patients in research studies being conducted by the hospital. This requires knowledge about the various studies, as well as data entry for the studies.

What I learned: 

This internship has really advanced my medical knowledge. I have access to patient charts to aid in determining eligibility for studies, and a great amount can be learned from these charts. I’ve also learned how to effectively communicate with patients, families, and health care providers in busy, high stress situations. My internship at Nationwide Children’s has been a wonderful experience, and has further solidified my desire to pursue a career as a physician.


Advice about searching for an internship: 
Talk to your professors! I found out about this internship through Dr. John Tansey. It was not posted anywhere, and previously the program has only had interns from OSU. Talking to your professors can provide opportunities you might not find on your own.

Advice on how to make the most of an internship experience: 

Make an effort to learn something new each and every time you’re working. Each time I go to Children’s, I learn something new from reading through the charts and I also get the chance to participate in research and better my communication with both patients and families.

Sarah Uhlenbrock - Children's Hunger Alliance

Name: Sarah Uhlenbrock

Class Year: 2015

Major: Allied Health

Hometown: Cinncinati, OH

Internship: Children’s Hunger Alliance

Location: Columbus, OH

Internship Responsibilities:

Twice a week, I went to an inner city elementary school, where I held a class on nutrition, and I showed them how to eat healthy with a low budget, and I brought a snack with me to show them healthier options. Once a week, I would go to the office and do paperwork in regard to their performance, pre- and post-tests from nutrition, and their attendance.

What have you learned: 

I have learned that I do not want to work in a non-profit sector, which is just as important as figuring out what you want to do. Since it was an inner city school, with most students being of a minority, I also learned a lot about their culture, particularly Somali.

Advice about searching for an internship: 

Take advantage of the resources we have on campus. Ashley and Ryan are really helpful with the programs they hold around campus, and use the CardinalCareers website. Also, just asking professionals in the field you are in, especially professors, is a huge help.

Advice on how to make the most of an internship experience: 

Going above and beyond what they’ve asked of you. If it’s a true internship, they should be letting you experience different parts of the job, like working with the other employees, and not just the person who hired you. Try to keep the connection afterward, and mostly just try and keep up a positive attitude. Just because it’s unpaid doesn’t mean it can't be a valuable learning experience.

Kathy Kelly Long - Broad Street Food Pantry

Kathy Kelly Long is the pantry manager at Broad Street Food Pantry. She oversees all of their operations, coordinates volunteers, and works on fundraising. Much of her time is spent ensuring that the pantry is stocked and communicating with the volunteers.

She likes to hire interns because students bring a different perspective, and they have different skills that workers at the Pantry don’t necessarily have, such as marketing or web design.

Interns assist in a variety of capacities. They work on special projects that are business, communications or nutrition related. Kathy said, “I usually have a broad area of need, and I work with students to apply their interests to our needs so that they can help us out.”

The Food Pantry takes students from other schools as well as Otterbein. Primarily, they have students from OSU, and sometimes they get students from Columbus State.

For Kathy, Otterbein is close to her heart. Her daughter is an Otterbein alum, and so that is what initially got her interested in Otterbein interns. Kathy said, “With our current Otterbein intern, her photography skills are much different than at other schools. There’s also more of an emphasis at Otterbein on service, and so students tend to understand the nonprofit world a little more.”

Kathy’s advice for students going through the interview and application process is that they should have a good sense of what they could contribute to the nonprofit world. They should be able to communicate their values, what they find important, and what they could bring to the organization.

During the actual internship, Kathy thinks it’s very important for the intern to communicate regularly with his/her supervisor. She also encourages interns to share their ideas if they have them.

If you are interested in doing an internship with the Broad Street Food Pantry, contact Kathy Kelly Long at kklong@bsfp.org

Ben Graber '15 - Willbros Engineering

Name: Ben Graber

Class Year: 2015

Major: Physics, Mathematics Minor

Hometown: Plain City, OH

Internship: Intern with Willbros Engineering

Internship Site: Willbros Westerville Branch

What your responsibilities were:

Assist with daily office operations, help out with any projects being planned. I researched the field of oil pipleine integrity and created a presentation on a common corrosion protection method, cathodic protection. I investigated fields that Willbros could expand into, organized a tour of Ashland labs to set up a testing agreement with them and interviewed Willbros staff from all aspects of their company to gain a better understanding of the company and a career at Willbros.

What you learned:

I learned a lot about the ideas and techniques used in the field to protect oil pipeline as well as many of the economic and political realities that wither restrict or are the driving force behind this field.

Advice on looking for an internship:

Investigate and ask everyone in your network if they have any connections or know of any opportunities. You might be very surprised on who actually comes back to you with a good lead!

Advice on how to make the most of an internship:

Be bold and step up when it comes to being a part of opportunities that will allow you to learn and gain the most experience from your internship! Don't let them forget you are there or underestimate what you can do for them as well

Cathryn Clark '14 - Red Sun Media

Name: Cathryn Clark

Class Year: 2014

Major: Broadcasting

Hometown: Mt. Vernon, Ohio

Internship Site: Red Sun Media: Out N About Columbus as seen on ABC 6

Internship Location: Worthington, Ohio

Internship Responsibilities:
Unlike most interns in this field, I interviewed clients on camera, controlled all of the company's social media, updated the company website, took DSLR pictures, worked the camera, helped out with editing and even helped sell the show. It was really rewarding to hear my voice overs on public television and to see video/pictures I had shot on television every week.

What I learned:

As an intern at Red Sun Media, I learned what it's like to be a real-life employee in the broadcasting industry. I spent all summer traveling with Out N About Columbus around Ohio and even out of state to produce the show every week that airs on Sundays at 11:30 AM on ABC 6. My boss taught me so much about the industry that school did not. Not only has this internship been a blast, but it has helped me figure out what I really want to do when I graduate. 

Chelsea Menke '14 - Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Name:Chelsea Menke

Class: 2014

Major: Environmental Science

Hometown: Mount Vernon, OH

Internship: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Location: Columbus, Ohio

Internship Responsibilities:

At my current internship, I’m in the Congo region of the zoo, so the animals vary from primates to hoof stock to a large cat. Because of the nature of the animals, I have to be with a keeper, so my duties are limited. I rake and separate clean and dirty hay to be disposed of, and sometimes I spray down cages with a sanitizer and a proxy. I also do diet prep, which consists of making a special juice drink for the primates. Last semester, in the Aquarium, my duties were completely different. It was much more independent, and I would do all the food prep, and smaller water changes. Having to figure everything out on my own really helped me grow. We collected eggs from Discovery Reef to hatch, and we grew algae to feed the fish. I would also take care of the stingrays. The stingray babies had to be separate and I would feed them and teach them what to eat, which we had to do 3-4 times a day. I also took chemical measurements from each of the tanks to make sure everything was alright for the fish to be swimming in.

What I learned:

In the Congo region specifically, I have learned how smart gorillas really are. They get a bad reputation for being like us but less smart, and that’s completely untrue. They are super smart, and they are very good at communicating with us. I've learned how much work goes into a position like this, and it’s really opened my eyes to what I want to do when I leave college.

Advice for the internship search:

Do not give up. Employers are busy people, and you are in your first steps into your career, and you need to give it your all. Make sure those steps are important steps. Figure out where you want to be in your career, and then go for one step ahead. An internship is a great way to have resume building experience, but it’ also helps you to grow and prepare for the real-world.

Advice for making the most of your internship:

Take it seriously. You are working with professionals in their environment, so act accordingly. Whether it’s paid or unpaid, treat it like you’re being paid the big-bucks. You’re doing everything that the actual employees are doing, so you should be just as cautious.

Audra Kohler '14 - OhioHealth

Name: Audra Kohler

Class Year: 2014

Major: Business Administration with a concentration in marketing

Hometown: Canton, OH

Internship: Events and Sponsorships Intern at OhioHealth

Location: Columbus, OH

Internship Responsibilities: 

Some of the responsibilities I have are managing budgets for both events and sponsorships, and I work on logistics as well. Since we have sponsorships with the Blue Jackets, the Crew and the Columbus Zoo, I recruit volunteers for OhioHealth nights as well as coordinate other logistical details.

What I learned: 

The marketing and communications department at OhioHealth works similarly to an agency. We work with a broad spectrum of people throughout the department on multiple projects at a time. I’ve learned how to prioritize and project manage. I've worked on a market research project with the other interns, and we have learned how to strategically approach a project from the beginning.

Advice about searching for an internship: 

Use the resources we have here at Otterbein. I found this internship through the CardinalCareers website. I've also used other resources like columbusinternships.com, but I've had the most luck finding internships through the CCPD.

Advice on how to make the most of an internship experience: 

My managers have always pushed me to work outside of my realm, and I've definitely utilized that. I've been on video shoots, sat in on meetings I would not have otherwise attended, and worked on projects just for the opportunity. These experiences have allowed me to learn a lot more about my field. 

Brianne Buletko '14 - Cleveland Clinic

Name: Brianne Buletko
Class Year: 2014
Major: Psychology & Religion Double Major
Hometown: Canton, OH
Internship: Behavior Modification Counselor at Cleveland Clinic Children’s Summer Treatment Program and Undergraduate Research Assistant with The Cleveland Clinic
Location: Cleveland, OH

Internship Responsibilities:
As a counselor, I worked with a group of children with ADHD in order to monitor and modify their behaviors. Summer Treatment Program is set up as a day camp and runs Monday through Friday. I was also responsible for the program’s data each day. I recorded each “behavioral point call” on the data sheets daily, and coded the data into excel. The computer data was then printed and logged in a data binder by each counselor. At the conclusion of the summer I wrote two individual treatment summaries which included recommendations for future physicians, clinicians, and teachers. The report noted behaviors that showed improvements based on the program, behaviors resistant to treatment, recommendations for future therapies and trend graphs.
Check out the STP website here.
As a researcher, I worked as an assistant for a graduate dissertation. I had the opportunity to work more closely with clients, conduct clinical 1-1 interviews, and code and transcribe data from the interviews.

What I learned: 

I learned that working with children in the clinical setting is exactly what I want to do. That’s the beauty of internships! When you invest yourself in the opportunities they offer, you gain a sense of understanding that simply cannot be learned in the classroom. The real-world experiences I’ve had in different internships have allowed me to discern what I am best at and most enjoy. While Otterbein offers so many opportunities and tons of assistance in helping you find out what career may fit you best, being an intern with different programs truly allows you to get a glimpse of what you will be doing once you’re in the field and out of school.

Advice about searching for an internship: 

Do not be afraid to reach out to people. Not only should you contact friends and professors from Otterbein about their connections, but you should do some online researching yourself. If there is some place specific you’d like to intern then check out their website and reach out to them. Even if there isn’t a specific position created, many internship sites are very receptive to initiative! If it is a large organization such as the Cleveland Clinic then be sure to find specific people to email and include why you are interested and what drew you to their program.

Advice on how to make the most of an internship experience: 

Be someone they will remember! Employers can tell when you are genuine – so be sincere. Ask questions if you have them, do more than what is asked of you, get involved in each opportunity that is offered, and have a great attitude. These tips will help you succeed in your internship. Each place you intern is an important connection to establish and maintain so make a good name for yourself. Also, remember to enjoy the experience and utilize the experience to discern your call to your future career.

Sarah Colville '14 - Tres Bien Studios

Name: Sarah Colville

Year: 2014

Major: Music and Business with Management

Hometown: Brownsburg, Indiana

Internship: Tres Bien Studios

Location: Worthington, OH

Internship Responsibilities: 

While working with Tres Bien Studios, I did invoicing, I helped in finding venues, helped with fundraising, finding sponsors for donations and I got to help teach children about music.

What I learned: 

I’ve learned a lot about running your own business, and that there isn’t a set path once you get out of school, and you should just do what you love.

Advice about searching for an internship: 

Use your resources as soon as possible. It took me a while to actually come to the CCPD for help, and for a while I didn’t even know the CCPD was here, but I’ve gotten a lot of help from them since.

Advice on how to make the most of an internship experience: 
Go above and beyond what you’re asked, and present ideas to the people that you’re working with, and they will be grateful for that, and they’ll help you expand on your experience.

Sean Brewster '15 - AICUO

Name: Sean Brewster

Year: 2015

Major: Music & Business with a concentration in Fine Arts Administration and a minor in Business Administration

Hometown: Norwalk, OH

Internship: 2014-2015 Art Awards Coordinator at the Association of Independent Colleges & Universities of Ohio (AICUO)

Location: Columbus, OH

Internship Responsibilities:

The Art Awards Coordinator position at AICUO is an intensive year-long internship that is teaching me the skills that are necessary to be an Arts Administrator. Through this position, I am in charge of planning the reception, coordinating the competition, obtaining grants and sponsorship awards for the program, and communicating with the executives of AICUO. This internship provides significant experience in administration, social networking, budget, grant writing, and event planning. It has also created opportunities for me to make connections throughout the Greater Columbus and Ohio arts communities.

What I learned:

I learned about the many different skills that it takes to successfully plan, organize and implement an event. In addition to these skills, I am actively refining my grant writing and sponsorship request skills. I am slowly gaining experience in using the Adobe Creative Suite; with a focus on learning the Adobe In-Design, Illustrator, and Photoshop programs.

Advice for the internship search:

I challenge you to CONSTANTLY be looking for internships. I am habitually perusing Cardinal Careers, Columbusinternships.com, and internmatch.com to see if there are any internships that I may be remotely interested in. Even if I am unavailable at the current moment, I still reach out to the organization in the hopes that I can make a connection for the future. Also, do not be afraid to reach out to professionals right now and connect; these connections are what will help you to find internships later on. Another tip: cast your net wide so that you have options.

Advice for making the most of your internship experience:

Always make sure that you are putting your all into any internship experience! This is the only way that you are going to figure out whether you want to pursue this field as a career. Take every advantage to connect with professionals, organize events, and do research for the organization you are interning with. Your supervisor will notice this and be able to write a stupendous recommendation letter or recommend you to a fellow professional.

Greg Moomaw '14 - Office of Admissions at Otterbein

Name: Greg Moomaw 

Class Year: 2014

Major: Sport Management with a Business Administration minor

Hometown: Sugarcreek, Ohio

Internship: Office of Admissions at Otterbein

Internship Site: Westerville, Ohio

Internship Responsibilities:

My primary and overarching responsibility as an intern for the Office of Admission here at Otterbein University was to be an ambassador for the University. I was the first contact for a lot of prospective students, and it was my ultimate duty to make a lasting and positive impression. I was in charge of planning and confirming a travel schedule for the fall and then executing it through high school visits and college fairs. I made multiple trips out of the state and to distant high schools which was a great opportunity to network and meet new people. Whilst being on the road, I also was in charge of maintaining a budget that covered expenses such as food, gas, hotel stays, and other purchases. It was my first experience managing a budget, and I was excited to learn the necessary skills. One of the other responsibilities I had was to help with our social media on Facebook and Instagram.

Kaylee Cialella '15 - Delaware County EMS

Name: Kaylee Cialella

Year: 2015

Major: Allied Health

Hometown: Cuyahoga Falls, OH

Internship: Delaware County EMS

Location: Station 2, Sunbury, OH

Internship responsibilities: 

I am a certified EMT. On advanced runs, I observe the EMTs and the paramedics, but I can sometimes help by hooking up EKGs and assisting the paramedics on basic runs.

What I learned: 

I got to see how EMTs (step above a paramedic) deal with emergencies, because that is what I want to go into - Emergency Medicine. I learned how to be able to stay calm under pressure, and I've gained more patience. I've also learned how to be formal but caring at the same time.

Advice about searching for an internship: 

For the medical field especially, talk to your adviser and talk to their connections to find people who would be willing to train you and spend extensive hours with you. Also, talk to a student who is a year or two older than you to find out what they've done that’s helped them.

Advice about how to make the most of an internship experience: 

Ask questions because whoever you're working with will be more than willing to help you out and to talk about anything you have questions on. Also, if you see something that interests you within the field, do further research on it.

Alana Gaither '15 - Nationwide Children's Hospital

Name: Alana Gaither

Class Year: 2015

Major: Public Relations

Hometown: Akron, Ohio

Internship Organization: Nationwide Children's Hospital, PR & Marketing Department

Location: Columbus, OH

Internship Responsibilities:

During my internship, I wrote and distributed five press releases which received coverage in print, radio, television and online media, facilitated interviews for physicians, patients and administration with local media, monitored media activity for the weekly update reports to the CEO, tracked daily incoming media requests for the media log and researched and developed a marketing plan for Cancer Awareness Month for an intern project.

What I Learned: 

It was a learning experience in itself being in a professional environment and I was ecstatic at how many responsibilities my advisers trusted me to complete. I gained a lot of confidence in my own writing skills and even with talking to professionals in the marketing, media and PR fields. 

Haley Young '14 - Denison University

Name: Haley Young (pictured front row on left)
Year: 2014
Major: Public Relations
Hometown: Loudonville, Ohio
Internship Organization: Denison University, First-Year Programs, June-O (June Orientation)
Location: Granville, Ohio

Internship Responsibilities:
My internship in Denison University's First-Year Programs office is something I will never forget. I was given the opportunity to intern at a small, liberal arts institution like Otterbein, during Denison's June Orientation sessions. This allowed for me to interact with Denison faculty, staff, student leaders, new students and parents. This new learning experience let me see orientation through a different lens. The was very important for me to witness first-hand as I have only ever been familiar with how Otterbein presents orientation to new students. Through this experience, I researched liberal arts colleges, updated orientation related handouts, edited orientation schedules, assisted the office staff, participated in June-O staff training, shadowed a student leader and my supervisor during an orientation session, helped with morning check-ins, and filled in other areas when needed. I learned to be very flexible during my time at Denison, as I was the first to intern in Denison's First-Year programs office as a non-Denison student.

What I learned:
The June-O staffs were very welcoming and supportive of me being there. I never once felt excluded because I was not a Denison student and that is what made my experience so great. Even though I was only at Denison for a month, this college will always have a special place in my heart. The friendships I made and the experiences I had were very valuable. My time at Denison has made me more excited for what lies ahead in the future, and I can't wait to be a Student Affairs professional very soon!

Chelsea Gilman '14 - Columbus Clippers

Name: Chelsea Gilman

Class Year: 2014

Major: Sport Management

Hometown: Milford, OH

Internship Organization: Columbus Clippers

Location: Columbus, OH

Internship Responsibilities:

I was a Front Office intern for the Columbus Clippers, Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. My responsibilities include a wide variety of tasks, some of which include ticket sale processing, sponsorship activation, group outing organization, on field promotions, policy enforcement, crowd control, etc. I had the opportunity to sharpen many necessary skills for success during my time with the Clippers such as problem solving, delegation, customer service, collaboration, leadership, and organization. In the pre-season, I assisted with the assembly of season ticket holder packages. These included all tickets and promotional information for the entire season, as well as advertisements from our sponsors and a token of our gratitude. As the season began, we were assigned to different areas of the ballpark to assist with large party check-ins, answer customer questions, enforce policies, and offer our service for any needs of the full time staff members in our area. Each home stand we rotated to a new location, performing new tasks and interacting with different staff members. The rotations included guest services, the merchandise store, all entrance and exit gates, the club patio, the promotions team, the Tansky VIP table, the ticket office, kids club birthday parties, and media relations.

What I Learned:

Through my experiences, I have learned all about what happens behind the scenes in order for even the small aspects of a sporting event to take place. Much more detail than I ever imagined goes into assuring all processes will run smoothly. No matter how small a task may seem, it is crucial that it is performed effectively and efficiently to assist fellow team members. Overall my experience was extremely worthwhile, allowing me to access many different departments and find that my passion lies within marketing and promotions for a minor or major league baseball team.