EAST CAROLINASP

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SCHOOL OF CommunicationI N T E R N S H I P I N S I G H T

“INTO THE BLUE”A DEEPER LOOK INTO THE

FUTURE OF COLLEGE GRADS

P I R A T E P R O F I L E S R I C H D E V I T A

M E G A N H A N N O N

I N T E R N G A L L E R YT A K I N G A G L A N C E A T T H E I M A G E O F S U C C E S S

“MAKE YOUR MARK”

P I R A T E Q & A

W hen Rich DeVita was a senior at East Carolina University obtaining his undergraduate degree in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations, he did an internship with the Orange Bowl.“I chose ECU because of the school spirit and football, the size of the school, the beautiful campus and great pro-grams,” explainsed DeVita in an e-mail interview.

DeVita worked for an internship during the summer of 2011 at the Orange Bowl. “The Orange Bowl is a non-profit organization that puts on many events in the South Florida community headlined by the Orange Bowl football game in January,” said DeVita.

DeVita interned in Miami, Fla., from May to August, where he had many duties at the Orange Bowl.

“I worked primarily with the sponsorship sales department,” says DeVita. “We worked on contracts with compa- nies to sponsor events. I also ran important errands, did research on companies, worked in marketing, and helped organize and run an FIU football camp.”

DeVita gained a lot of memories while working with other interns in Florida. “I have a lot of memories from my time in Miami,” explains DeVita. “One of the best was going to a Heat/Bulls Eastern Conference Finals game, which Miami won. I also spent lots of time on South Beach.”

He relates that he got to put his skills to use during his internship. “My communication skills were very important when talking to companies about sponsoring events,” says DeVita. “It also helped me with my research in marketing and sales. Being a good communicator can help in any situation or business.”DeVita said his intern- ship prepared him for life after college.

“I know that an internship can help prepare you for the real world,” says DeVita. “It gave me real experience working in a real office. I learned all about what I want to do for my career. There is no question that internships prepare you for a career.”

Article by: Justin Bolton

Rich DeVita dressed to impress at his internship Photo courtesy of ECU School of Communication

PIRATE

“BEING A GOOD COMMUNICATOR

CAN HELP IN ANY SITUATION OR BUSINESS.”

“THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT

INTERNSHIPS PREPARE YOU

FOR A CAREER.”

RICH DEVITAAN INTERNSHIP WITH ORANGE BOWL

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The road to finding a job after college can be more challeng-ing for some than oth- ers.

Students who par-ticipate in real work experiences such as internships have been proven more likely to receive jobs after college. Accord-ing to aramarkcollegerelations.com, students who completed an internship had a 60 percent better chance of landing a full time job after college. East Carolina Univer-sity graduate and Greenville native Megan Hannon fell into this category. Hannon graduated from the School of Communication with a concentration in public relations in May 2008. Hannon went on to receive a master’s in health communication which she completed in December 2009. The summer between her junior and senior year, Hannon ap-plied for an internship in New York City. “I had an internship with Berk Commu-nications in New York City and I worked mainly with the events team within the public relations portion of the company,” Hannon said.Although her internship lasted just eight weeks, it was Hannon’s first real work ex-perience within her field of study.Dr. Linda Kean, director of the School of Communication believes that holding an internship position before graduation is extremely beneficial for students. “Having internships prior to graduation is incredibly valuable. I believe it gives the

students several things. First, it allows an individual to test out a certain profes-sional areas. Additionally, students can gain amazing skills in an area that can be put to use in the next position. An intern- ship is part of the educational experi- ence,” Kean said.

Dur- ing her time as a stu-

dent

with-in the School of Com-muni-cation, Han-non said there were several profes-sors

who were influential. Dr. Linda Kean, for example, was an inspiration to Hannon

during her college years. “Dr. Kean is the most intelligent instructor I have ever had. What I loved about her the most was that not only was she a great profes-sor but she had real life work experience,” Hannon said.“Megan Hannon is a very positive and hard working individual. She was always prepared and ready to work on whatever assignment or project she was given,” Kean said.After receiving her master’s, Hannon decided to apply for another internship in New York City in the summer of 2010. Hannon had the opportunity to work for Harrison and Shriftman. The company is a public relations, special events and marketing firm. Hannon said she worked

primarily with promotional events team.

While Hannon was in search of a job, she was contacted by her supervisor from her internship at Harrison and Shriftman regarding a job opening at Tiffany and Co. in New York.

“She thought I would be great for this job. She said if I sent her my resume

she would put it in the right hands. I got a call from human resources and had a phone in-terview then had another phone interview with my main boss,” Hannon said.

Hannon flew to New York City. The interview went well because the next day Hannon was called and offered the position. She is currently working as a special events and promotional assistant

for Tiffany and Co.

Article by: Sarah Lloyd

Megan Hannon, current special events and promotional assistant for Tiffany and Co.Photo courtesy of ECU School of Communication

Megan HannonA BRILLIANT FUTURE

TAKING A CLOSER LOOK AT OUTSTANDING STUDENTS & THEIR ENDEAVOURS.

PIRATE PROFILE

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Into the Blue

“UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR 20- TO 24-YEAR-OLDS WAS 13.2 PERCENT IN APRIL 2012” NY TIMES

ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES AND EMPLOYERS NEW COLLEGE GRADUATES WHO HAD PARTICIPATED IN INTERNSHIPS DID FAR BETTER IN THE JOB MAR-KET THAN THEIR CLASSMATES WHO HAD NOT HAD THAT EXPERIENCE.

IN 2008 EMPLOYERS EXTENDED JOB OFFERS TO NEARLY 70 PERCENT OF THEIR IN-TERNS, UP FROM 57 PERCENT IN 2001.

“Employers say 31% of new employees come from their own internship programs, and 62% had internship experience of some kind.” NACE

MANY STUDENTS FEAR WHAT LIFE WILL BE LIKE AFTER COLLEGE. Will the y ace the ir inte r v ie ws? Will the y land the ir dream job or a job at al l? How w il l the y set the m selves apar t f rom the competit ion? WELL IT TURNS OUT COLLEGE STUDENTS WHO SUCCESFULLY COMPLETE ATLEAST ONE INTERNSHIP STAND A BETTER CHANCE AT SUCCESS...

SINK

Into the Blue

“UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR 20- TO 24-YEAR-OLDS WAS 13.2 PERCENT IN APRIL 2012” NY TIMES

ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES AND EMPLOYERS NEW COLLEGE GRADUATES WHO HAD PARTICIPATED IN INTERNSHIPS DID FAR BETTER IN THE JOB MAR-KET THAN THEIR CLASSMATES WHO HAD NOT HAD THAT EXPERIENCE.

IN 2008 EMPLOYERS EXTENDED JOB OFFERS TO NEARLY 70 PERCENT OF THEIR IN-TERNS, UP FROM 57 PERCENT IN 2001.

“Employers say 31% of new employees come from their own internship programs, and 62% had internship experience of some kind.” NACE

MANY STUDENTS FEAR WHAT LIFE WILL BE LIKE AFTER COLLEGE. Will the y ace the ir inte r v ie ws? Will the y land the ir dream job or a job at al l? How w il l the y set the m selves apar t f rom the competit ion? WELL IT TURNS OUT COLLEGE STUDENTS WHO SUCCESFULLY COMPLETE ATLEAST ONE INTERNSHIP STAND A BETTER CHANCE AT SUCCESS...

SWIM

Gallery

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I N T E R N S H I P

Lauren Keranakis interning at the ECU Campus Recreation and Wellness

Marketing department. Photo contributed by Lauren Kernakis

ECU Student, Brian Taylor, featured above while interviewing Sam Mikulak, during his internship with Inside Gymnastics magazine. Photo contributed by Brian Taylor.

Internship Coordinator Dr. Todd Fraley and School of Communication Director Dr. Linda Kean, at the Spring 2011 School of Communication Student Awards Ceremony.Photo contributed by: ECU School of Communication

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Abbey Way and Amanda Winsor at the School of Communication’s Spring 2012 student

awards ceremony. Photo contrinuted by Christie Church

Student Kelsey Brosi during an internship with E! Network in Los Angeles in 2011.Photo contributed by East Carolina University School of Communication

Stephen McNulty at UNC vs. ECU game while interning for Purple! magazine.

Photo contributed by ECU School of Communication

xINTERNSHIP -PLORATION

The School of Communication blends scholarship with real-world experience in order to prepare our students for the challenges

they face as they enter today’s competitive job market. We facilitate internships for students in order to introduce them to the pro-fessional world they are preparing to enter as journalists, filmmakers, public relation professionals, and all of the many professional fields our students enter upon graduation. We have placed students in internships in such varied settings as the following media:

LOCAL INTERNSHIPS

American Red CrossCenter For Family Violence and PreventionECU Alumni AssociationECU Athletics – Media RelationsECU Campus Recreation and WellnessEvolve MarketingPitt County Arts CouncilPitt Memorial HospitalPitt County Boys and Girls ClubReal Crisis CenterUnited Way Pitt CountyUptown GreenvilleWITNWNCTWCTIWWAY Wilmington

NATIONAL INTERNSHIPS

CBS – LA & NYHBOJohns Hopkins HealthMercedes BenzMTVNational Republican Congressional CommitteeNBANBC UniversalSirius/XM RadioSony BMG MusicSundance Channel/Film FestivalUniversal RecordsWake Med

Students electing the internship-for-credit option must enroll in COMM 4091 & complete the registration process by the beginning of the internship semester. For more information contact: the School of Communication’s Internship Coordinator.

M a k e y o u r m a r k .Featured above: Scott Avett of the Avett Brothers received his BS in Communciation & BFA in Art from ECU in 1999 and later formed the band. This pirate certainly made his mark. Photo provided by: ECU School of Communication

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ASKED

WANT MORE INFORMATION?Please visit the School of Communication intenship page:www.e cu . edu / c s - c f a c / comm/cu r r en t / i n t e r nsh i p s . c fm

NOT A COMMUNICATION STUDENT?Visit the ECU Internship page: www.e cu . edu / c s - s t uden t a f f a i r s / c a r ee r / s t uden t s / l ook i ng . c fm

Q Why would I want an internship?

A An internship is like getting immersed in some aspect of your career before you are out in the work world full time. You can learn what you like or don’t like about a profes-

sion. You can learn more about how a particular business works. You can network with professionals doing what you aspire to do. You can gain valuable experiences that make you more desirable for that first job after college. You can add the intern-

ship to your resume.

Q Are internships mandatory in School of Communi-cation?

A No. We encourage students to complete a variety of pre-profes-sional work experiences. Besides internships, students should register with The Career Center and take advantage of oppor-

tunities they offer. Students should also find opportunities to observe professionals on the job, to do service learning in their classes, to do independent volunteer work, and to get other part-time or full-time paid work related to their intended career.

Q Will I get paid during my internship?

A It depends on who is sponsoring the internship. Some internships are paid. Many are not. Either way, you will be getting valuable work experience to help you prepare

for your career. (By the way, we are encouraging more internship providers to offer internships with pay.)

Featured: ECU Intern Rachel Castro in Ger-many as part of the Fulbright Program

Photo Contributed by ECU

F r e q u e n t l y

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SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION, EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY102 Joyner E., Greenville, N.C. 27858www.ecu.edu/comm 252.328.4227

E C U has a proud heritage. From early days

as a school for training teachers to a national doctoral research

university, we have continually served our region with quality and

commitment since 1907.

Our com-

mitment is an expression of our motto, Servire, or To Serve.

We believe that no university has done a better job of public ser-

vice than East Carolina University, and we will continue to be a

national model for how to use university

resources for the greater

public good. ECU is committed to the three traditional missions of

the public university: service, teaching, and research. We take great

pride in the record of achievement

and success that has been es-

tablished by our many alumni.

We remember the many hard-fought victories that make up the

storied tradition of Pirate athletics. We are proud of our na-

tional and international leadership in medicine, health sciences,

and teacher preparation. We are proud of our award-winning

excellence in the visual and performing

arts. Above all, we are proud of

the vital contributions our people

and programs have made for the betterment of North Carolina.

_____ copies of this public document were printed at a cost of ____________. Cost, according to G.S. 143-170.1, includes printing costs (labor and materials) and other identifiable costs, such as design, typesetting, and binding.Document was printed on recycled paper.

C mmunication has been an active force on campus and significant contributor to East Carolina University since 1989 when ECU began offering a BA in Communication in a Department of Communication. We

have come a long way since 1989. Today we are the School of Communication, housed in the College of Fine Arts and Communication. We offer a BS in communication with four different undergraduate concentrations—i nterpersonal and organizational communication, media studies, journalism and public relations. In fall 2006 we began offering our MA in communication with an emphasis in health communication. Our interpersonal/organizational concentration is also offered completely online for distance education students. In total, the School of Communication now has more than 1,000 stu-dents and more than 30 faculty members and staff.

Kelsey Brosi during an internship with E! Network, Los Angeles 2011(Courtesy of ECU School of Communication)