Sarah Uhlenbrock '15--Harvard School of Public Health

Sarah Uhlenbrock

Class: 2015

Major(s): Allied Health, Religion

Hometown: Cincinnati, OH

Internship: Harvard School of Public Health

Location: Boston, MA

Internship Responsibilities: My month in Boston was spent working at the Harvard School of Public Health within the epidemiology department. Epidemiology is a branch of public health that studies the spread, causation, and prevention of diseases. Epidemiologists constantly work with large sets of data from surveys and conduct research. My research in Boston was focused on prostate cancer, specifically cadmium and prostate specific antigen (PSA).

PSA is a protein that is produced in the prostate and it is used a biomarker in men to detect early signs of prostate cancer. My research group and I asked this question: What is the effect of cadmium on PSA levels? We hypothesized that there would be a positive correlation between the PSA levels in the blood and cadmium which was measured in urine. To find our results we used the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). This is a biannual survey that uses a non-random sample of people to collect a national representative sample. We sorted through this data to find our two variables, PSA and cadmium, and then used R (a coding software to deal with the large amounts of numbers) to create spreadsheets and graphs. Our results were anticlimactic. We found no correlation between PSA levels and cadmium exposure.

What I Learned: Regardless of our null findings, the experience of working in the epidemiology department at HSPH was worth being stuck in the airport for six hours because of a flight cancellation. The experience enhanced my resume, but the opportunity of being in Boston was the best part. I fell in love with the city and I cannot wait to return to make it my home someday.

Eve Zielinski '15 --Safelite Autoglass

Eva Zielinski

Class Year: 2015

Major: Communications

Minor: Public Realtions

Hometown: Pickerington, Ohio

Internship: Safelite Autoglass

Location: Columbus, Ohio

Internship Responsibilities:  I began my experience as a communication intern for Safelite Autoglass at their corporate headquarters in Columbus, OH. My main task was to write content for our company intranet, newsletter publications and other internal communications. I was already a fair writer but I had to prioritize and effectively manage my time to ensure that I met deadlines and didn’t put anyone else behind schedule. I also had to be flexible and work around other peoples schedules other than my own in order to accomplish the tasks that were given to me. It was a necessary discipline that taught me to roll with change and adjust to becoming a professional young adult.

What I Learned: My experience lasted the entire summer from May through August and I was hired at full time from 9-5 every day. The first aspects of adult professionalism that I learned were to dress professionally and to be on time every day. I would wake up extra early to make the hour commute from Pickerington to Columbus/Dublin and back through rush hour traffic. I became efficient at learning to arrive early before my shift started.

I also had to get over my shyness of talking to people, because I had to interview several associates in person and over the phone to acquire the information I needed to compose a story. I learned to communicate more effectively in writing as well as spoken word with all my colleagues. However, I think the most important qualities I took away from this excellent experience were responsibility and flexibility. I was no longer just a college student writing essays for a grade, I was considered a professional that was part of a large organization that depended on the tasks I was working on.

Anthony Reinhard '15 - Progressive Insurance

Anthony Reinhard

Class Year: 2015

Major: Actuarial Science

Hometown: Canton, OH

Internship: Progressive Insurance

Location: Mayfield Village, OH

Internship Responsibilities: I had the opportunity to complete a 12-week paid internship at Progressive Insurance, a leading property & casualty insurance company, located 20 minutes from downtown Cleveland. My internship was in the Pricing department of Progressive's Special Lines business area. My department was responsible for maintaining adequate premium rates for all of Progressive's non-auto insurance products across the country. These products included motorcycles (Progressive is the nation's top insurer of motorcycles), boats, RVs, travel trailers, and snowmobiles.One of the major projects I completed during my internship was analyzing the rate adequacy of Progressive's snowmobile policies. Snowmobile is a small book of business that is often treated the same as motorcycle business. My final analysis showed that our overall rates for our snowmobile policies were likely higher than they needed to be. In the future, my department will look to lower our snowmobile rates in larger states in an attempt to undercut the rates of competitors.

What I Learned: I learned about the day-to-day work that is done in Special Lines Pricing and other departments that complete actuarially-justified work. Over the course of my internship, I connected with a variety of professionals and complete meaningful work. I was also very impressed with the unique culture at Progressive. Progressive has one of the world’s largest corporate art collections that decorate each campus. It creates an environment that fosters creativity and inclusion. I concluded my internship with a 10-minute presentation about my summer in front of several hiring managers during my final week. Two weeks after I left, I accepted a full-time position as an Actuarial Analyst that will begin after I graduate.

Jim Waterwash '15 - Community Choice Financial

Jim Waterwash

Class Year: 2015

Major: Business Administration

Hometown: Powell, OH

Internship: Community Choice Financial

Location: Dublin, OH        

Internship Responsibilities: I interned at Community Choice Financial, also known as CheckSmart.  I was the marketing intern in the marketing division. My responsibilities varied and changed frequently due to all the moving parts that marketing for a multi-state, national brand entails. One of my responsibilities was to plan and coordinate grand openings, customer appreciation days, and marketing blitzes.  This included booking entertainment, joining locals Chambers, and communicating with my supervisor to ensure expectations of these events.

In addition, I was responsible for sorting and creating an Excel spreadsheet with names for email blasts to our opt-in customers. I created budgets for each quarter of media buying through Excel. The marketing director had me attend meetings with him, our public relations firm, the Columbus Chamber of Commerce and others.  I was also been tasked to constantly update our contact information of our account executives in radio and TV advertising. Other responsibilities included invoicing, organizing, communicating with the store managers about events, learning how to negotiate and buy advertising on the radio and TV, and providing reports on the quarterly budget.

What I Learned: I learned so much through this internship. I learned about how to budget for advertising and how to decipher good radio and bad radio stations to advertise for our market.  I discovered that marketing relies heavily on knowing exactly who you are trying to target to send the right message.  I even learned many tricks about Excel that will benefit me in future projects and reports. In addition, I learned office etiquette, how to deal with vendors to plan events, and so much more.

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. 

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.

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.

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.