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.

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.

Brooke Jones '16 - Westfield Group Fitness Center

Brooke Jones

Year: 2016

Major: Health Promotion and Fitness

Hometown: Ashland, OH

Internship: Westfield Group Fitness Center

Location: Westfield Center, OH

Internship Responsibilities: My internship was at the Fitness Center for the home office of Westfield Group. As an intern I helped with two programs for the employees called Get Fit and Get Moving. Get Fit was for employees that did not work for the home office in order to get part of their gym membership paid for since they did not have a “free” facility and Get Moving was a program for any employee to get half of their registration fee paid for if they signed up for a walking, running, or biking event. I also helped create two bulletin boards to help guide the employees in the fitness center. The first bulletin had tips to help their form on the different cardio machines and pictures that showed right from wrong. The second bulletin was a group fitness incentive that encouraged the employees to attend more group fitness classes by handing out tickets. The tickets were hung up on the bulletin board each week and the ticket number that was drawn would win the prize for that week.

There was not personal training for the employees but other aspects of being a trainer were involved to help them. I did fitness assessments for any employee that signed up to become a member of the fitness center and asked for one. The assessment covered height, weight, body fat percentage, blood pressure, resting heart rate, girth measurements, muscle endurance, muscle strength, and flexibility. On top of the assessment the employees had the opportunity to get a personalized workout made just for them on software called ExercisePro. It had a picture and detailed instructions of each workout that I gave them for what they wanted to get out of their program. I enjoyed this part because each employee was different and I got to learn more about them individually and what their goals were!

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.

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.

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.