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2010INSURING SUCCESSby Troy Johnson, Business

Before my internship with Liberty Mutual Group, I had a very pessimistic view about internships. I believed I would be merely getting coffee and filing papers; I didn’t believe I would gain any “real” experience. In reality, my experience was the total opposite. Chief among my many duties was to assist sales representatives with sales transactions and streamline campaigns to allow representatives to showcase the variety of products that Liberty Mutual offers. One of my biggest achievements during the internship was being licensed as a NYS Personal Lines Agent/Broker, authorizing me to sell insurance. Overall, I gained real-world experience and learned to communicate effectively, which will benefit me in every aspect of my life.

REALITY TV REAL LIFE EXPERIENCEby Ashley Hebert, Marketing

Interning at Orange County Choppers (OCC) has been a truly awesome experience. Each day I punch in my pass code, head up the Employees Only staircase, peer into the shop to watch the show filming, and have a seat at my desk. You can find me contacting radio stations about interviewing Paul Teutul Sr., writing press releases and radio spots for broadcast, interviewing the cast and writing their bios, researching ways to promote events, working at these events or just roaming around the shop checking everything out. Interning at OCC has completely exceeded my expectations as far as what I have been able to see, do and learn. I am now more confident in myself, my resume, portfolio, and capabilities as a professional. This experience has given me the competitive edge I need. Orange County Choppers has confirmed for me that a career in public relations is what I want to pursue, and has also reassured me that coming to work, can in fact, be the best part of your day.

Career Center | Connecting College and Career

You need something aside from an awesome GPA to start your career. I wanted to work in the highly competitive fashion industry and after being offered an internship with Glamour Kills, I knew I had to do everything possible to distinguish myself. Each morning I said hello to everyone, ensuring that even if they didn’t know my name, they knew my face. As graduation drew closer, I knew I wasn’t guaranteed a job and I had to do something. I let the owner know that I loved working there and asked if he would consider me for a job. With a stern look, he told me he’d think about it. Later he said I was the only intern who approached him personally to ask for a job. Long story short, I went from being a humble intern to Retail Marketing Manager in less than a year! Michael Munoz, 2009 Marketing

IT major Jason Flores interned this summer at Laerdal Medical Corporation in Wappingers Falls, NY. Jason worked directly with the Network Engineer and performed day to day tasks which included user support, inventory generation of network connectivity, new system setup and installation. Jason also worked with a group of interns to analyze the company’s future social networking marketing strategy and presented their findings to company directors.

“Interning at the Alzheimer’s Association has been a wonderful experience. I saw firsthand the different stages of grief that people go through and the frustrations they endure in the process of seeking help. I learned more than I ever thought I would about Alzheimer’s disease and about the geriatric population in general. I met three wonderful women who welcomed me into their workplace and taught me as a member of their team. I loved every minute of it.” Randy Bennett, Psychology

FORMULA FOR CONFIDENCE: CHEMISTRY RESEARCHby Rayna Burke, Chemistry

I lived in Cornell University’s west campus dormitory for my ten week internship with the Cornell Center for Materials Research, Research Experience for Undergraduates program, funded by the National Science Foundation. The program mandated that students work on a research project. The project I worked on was a combination of physical and inorganic chemistry. By week three of research, I was feeling more comfortable and confident in my work. The academic environment there was absolutely amazing, like nothing I experienced before. I learned so much about myself and what I am capable of during this extremely gratifying experience.

HIGH ENERGY REQUIRED!by Shannon Witte, Media Studies

For six weeks I worked as an intern for Team People, a vendor that BMW hires to make videos. I worked a “9-5” job, five days a week and it wasn’t always easy. However, I learned a lot, not only about the field I want to pursue, but about myself as well. I love the hustle and bustle of the media industry. There is always a new project in the works. The people I met were all so kind and colorful and are amazing contacts to have. I like the freedom this industry gives you to be creative. I tried almost every job including directing and producing. As a production assistant and script organizer, I got a feel for live to tape shows and also did some camera work. I gave cues to the talent and was in constant contact with the control room. I learned that I am very organized and this is my strength. I love the high energy and can see myself working in this field when I graduate.

Shemel Jackson, St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital

Dealing with the process of death and dying in the ICU was

the most worthwhile experience, both professionally

and personally. One patient had no brain activity and

the family had to deal with the fact that their loved

one expired and that the patient would be taken

off the ventilator. This was very emotional and

heartbreaking for the family. I found myself

becoming emotionally involved and had to quickly

regain control of myself. After this experience I

talked with my preceptor and family about the

thoughts and feelings that were scattered

throughout my mind. End of life issues are

very complicated and taught me a lot.

Nursing students were asked...WHAT WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE?

Rachel Terry, Vassar Brothers Medical Center

My most memorable moment was getting to see an

open heart surgery!

Maricel Magday,

St. Joseph Hospital

I realized that I can handle

taking care of 14 patients

in one shift and manage

my time efficiently, while

still delivering the best

care that I can give with a huge smile. I get a feeling of

contentment when I hold my patients’ hand, see them

smile, and know that they understand how much I care

about them. I know I made the right

decision to study nursing.

Annemarie Whiting,Vassar Brothers Medical CenterOn my first day, I met the smallest infant in NICU. She was about 600 grams and already a few weeks old. By the last day she was about 75 days old and we shared our last day there together. As she grew older I spent more time with her, holding her, feeding her and playing with her. When she went home she was about 5 pounds. Being able to help her grow and be well is a great reminder why I love nursing, especially in the NICU.

Meagan Lewis,

Southampton Hospital

In ICU, one of the nurses

asked me to assist her

with a bed bath on

a paraplegic patient

who was unresponsive

and on a ventilator. I

was shocked at what I

was seeing. I became

lightheaded and even

had to sit down. As the

bed bath proceeded

there came a time when something in me snapped

and I pushed everything on the outside behind me and

realized that this patient needed my help.

Kelly Acquah, Burke Rehabilitation HospitalIn the Stroke Unit, one of my patients was a practicing physician until his stroke. He had no function of his hand, limited function of his leg and was unable to dress himself. After three weeks in our care, he was able to dress himself and to

maneuver from his wheel chair into the passenger seat of his

ride home. It just felt so good hearing the confidence in his

voice and seeing the joy in his face because he knew he could do

it. Seeing the progress that people make here is truly amazing.

CAMP CONFIRMS CAREER PATHby Veronica Schneider, Biology/Elementary Education As a camp counselor at Kid’s Place, I had experiences and learned life lessons that I will carry with me into the future as an elementary school teacher. Although my purpose was to serve as a counselor and disciplinarian, I soon realized I would learn more than I could imagine. I had the privilege to work with a variety of age groups from 18 months to 12 years old. Being solely in charge of 10-13 children each day pushes you to become more confident in yourself and your abilities as a leader. The opportunity to work with such a diverse age group has allowed me to personally experience various developmental periods, age-related achievements, and affirmed my desire to teach elementary school children.

A TREASURED EXPERIENCE As an intern at Thornwillow Press in Newburgh, Sarah Rossi experienced many different aspects of the publishing industry including editing books, organizing and researching archives and dabbling in stationery design. Sarah, an English major, authored blogs that ended up on the company’s homepage.

MANAGING THE DETAILSby Mary Ann Raftery, Public Relations/Media Studies

My event planning internship at the FDNY Foundation required me to commute more than an hour by train, five days a week, working 9am-5pm.The staff treated me as an employee and, on my first day, put me straight to work. One of the largest events I worked on was the Foundation’s Annual Humanitarian Awards Dinner, attended by 1,000 people and raising over $1.4

million. I learned about preparing for large events while setting up the seating chart and managing the guest list. When I called CEOs of companies to request donations, I learned to be professional and how to discuss the goals of the Foundation and what the Foundation stands for and does for the citizens of New York. I also assisted in the planning for the commissioning of the largest fireboat in the world, the FDNY 343. This event that honored the 343 firemen who lost their lives on 9/11 was attended by over 600 people, including the victims’ families and Mayor Bloomberg. I did substantial, meaningful work. I was exposed to many people, many events and learned how the industry works.

“I started my internship at Thornwillow Press

with high hopes that I would find something

interesting while archiving. I’ve found countless

amazing, old books. All different colors, sizes,

textures, and shapes, these treasures are

finally making their home in the Thornwillow

Press archive room.

While rummaging through boxes that have been

sitting in an abandoned space for five years,

the first book that caught my eye was Treasure

Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. It’s a brilliant

royal blue hardcover, leather bound and covered

in plastic. The text on the outside shines in

silver - a definite eye-catcher. Leather bound

books always grab my attention, so it seems

fitting that I should intern at a company that

specializes in leather bound production. . .”

“I started my internship at

Thornwillow Press with high hopes

that I would find something

interesting while archiving. I’ve

found countless amazing, old books.

All different colors, sizes,

textures, and shapes, these treasures

are finally making their home in the

Thornwillow Press archive room.

While rummaging through boxes that

have been sitting in an abandoned

space for five years, the first book

that caught my eye was

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. It’s a brilliant royal

blue hardcover, leather bound and

covered in plastic. The text on the

outside shines in silver - a definite

eye-catcher. Leather bound books

always grab my attention, so it seems

fitting that I should intern at a

company that specializes in leather

bound production. . .”

Sarah blogs, “I started my internship at

Thornwillow Press with high hopes that I would

find something interesting while archiving. I’ve

found countless amazing, old books. All

different colors, sizes, textures, and shapes,

these treasures are finally making their home in

the Thornwillow Press archive room.

While rummaging through boxes that have

been sitting in an abandoned space for five

years, the first book that caught my eye was

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. It’s a

brilliant royal blue hardcover, leather bound and

covered in plastic. The text on the outside

shines in silver - a definite eye-catcher. Leather

bound books always grab my attention, so it

seems fitting that I should intern at a company

that specializes in leather bound production. .

.”

Five years after graduating, I am in southern Florida working at a premier NASCAR facility. It started with a NASCAR internship in NYC. The connections I made during this internship not only propelled me into starting my career, but have continued to serve as valuable contacts. After four years at Dover International Speedway, the opportunity arose to further my career at Homestead-Miami Speedway as Manager of Corporate Partnerships and Group Sales. Stacey Mikulak, 2005 Public Relations

IMMERSED IN FASHIONby Kathleen Kellerman, Public Relations

On my very first day at the high end fashion company MaxMara, I observed business women in sky high Christian Louboutin heels, and 90 lb models draped in expensive fur coats, hurrying back and forth across the large white marble lobby. At that moment I was almost convinced that I was working in the real life Devil Wears Prada. What I experienced over the next nine weeks was completely the opposite. Not only was I sitting in on important business meetings with stores like Saks Fifth Ave and Bergdorf Goodman, I was voicing my opinion and getting feedback. I made excellent connections with top men and women in the company, and was always treated like I was part of the team.

Not only did I get experience working in a corporate office, but I experienced the responsibility of commuting into the city five days a week and completing projects that would be submitted to the CEO for review, on time and efficiently. Prior to my experience at MaxMara, fashion PR just looked like a fun and trendy career. Now I realize how much time, effort, and serious planning go into even the smallest campaign. This internship taught me PR lessons that I never learned sitting in a classroom. I am truly thankful for this immersion in the fashion industry and for the job they promised will be waiting for me when I graduate.

When people learn I’m a television producer they comment how “lucky” I am, and ask how I got into production. It started with an internship at Live! With Regis and Kelly. Friendships made there helped land my first job. More connections turned into my second and third jobs. Was I lucky? Yes! But you create your own luck with a mixture of hard work, willingness to learn, and always coming to work with a smile on your face. Never underestimate how a good attitude opens doors. Whether I am living with a pirate family on Wife Swap or shooting at a landfill for Undercover Boss, I make sure to always bring a positive attitude to what I do…because let’s face it, I am lucky to do what I do! Audra Woodruff, 2004 Communications

My internship with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute in Washington, DC, working for US Congressman Jose Serrano (pictured) who represents the Bronx (my hometown), taught me the importance of networking and building personal relationships. The experience helped me grow as a person and understand the political process in this country.

A CAPITOL EXPERIENCEby Jefrey Velasquez, History/Political Science

FINDING THE RIGHT INTERNSHIPby Catherine Mancuso, Business

After going through what seemed like countless interviews and not finding the right internship for me, I interviewed with The Anderson Center for Autism. I really liked the organization’s purpose and I accepted their offer to be a human resources intern for the summer. Within the first week I felt like I belonged. This internship exposed me to a lot of things that a student would not learn in the classroom. I learned about human resource database management, benefits packaging, and insurance fraud, worked on a staff recognition party and helped run a golf tournament fundraiser. When my internship hours ended, they offered me a paid part time position for the rest of the summer.

DOUBLE THE INTERNSHIP, DOUBLE THE OPPORTUNITYby Alyssa Scagnelli, Biology/Chemistry

Having accepted a summer internship with the Animal Medical Center in Manhattan, I was surprised when I was informed of another internship opportunity that I was granted at a smaller practice: The Center for Avian and Exotic Medicine. Learning that the two schedules did not overlap, I fervently accepted both. The experience at the exotic practice introduced me to veterinary medicine. Every day I witnessed operations on small, delicate critters. Although the profession may seem cuddly and fun, I was unable to ignore the inevitable and quickly learned to not get attached to patients, especially ones that were gravely ill. At the Animal Medical Center, I was introduced to a more advanced and highly specialized aspect of veterinary medicine. Observing the finest radiology imaging, chemotherapy, rehabilitation, endoscopy procedures, and spinal surgeries opened my eyes to amazing things a veterinarian can do. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing a family smiling after their golden retriever had orthopedic surgery or seeing a

little girl hug her cat after being healed from a collapsing trachea. Although the days are long and fast-paced, the experiences I obtained are truly rewarding and further my motivation towards becoming a veterinarian.

Editor: Kathleen O’Keefe

Executive Director: Janet Zeman

Director of Career Development: Ellen Bourhis Nolan

Coordinator, Co-Ops and Internships: Robin Rosenberg

Coordinator, Co-Ops and Internships: Maureen Aurigemma

© 2010 CONNECTIONSCareer CenterMount Saint Mary College

330 Powell Avenue, Aquinas Hall

Newburgh, NY 12550

845-569-3175

www.msmc.edu/careercenter

I will never forget my internship with the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force! I formulated criminal profiles on hate crimes offenders. When I first arrived at NYPD Headquarters, I expected I was going to be looked down upon as an intern. Once I started to become more comfortable with the detectives and started talking to them, they proved my

expectations wrong. I acquired more skills in criminal profiling through talking to detectives and sergeants on the unit than through the textbook. I learned how to properly profile a criminal, how investigations are conducted and written up, not to be timid in a professional setting, and how important it is to try to learn from people with experience. Overall, the internship experience cannot be replicated in the classroom.

BEYOND THE TEXTBOOKby Chris Boydston, Psychology

After receiving my degree, I moved to Atlanta to pursue my career, understanding that networking would play a vital part in my success. I established many resourceful contacts and landed a position with Wachovia/Wells Fargo as a Personal Banker. I see myself growing with the company and becoming a district manager in the next five years. Roberto King, 2005 Psychology

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