Semester-Long Internship Q&A with Women's Basketball Seniors

BEVERLY, Mass. - The semester-long internship is one of the essential pieces of Endicott's experiential learning model which includes two 120-hour internships, a semester-long internship, and senior thesis. In essence, it gets undergraduate students career ready with a loaded resume geared towards whatever their postgraduate endeavors may be.

Three of the members of the Class of 2018 for the Gulls women's basketball program - while balancing strength and conditioning programming, captains practices, official team practice, and the start to their 2017-18 campaign - have all completed their semester-long internship. These exceptional student-athletes - Sam Charette (Wenham, Mass.), Gabriella Coppola (Watertown, Mass.), and Hannah Kiernan (Wenham, Mass.) - gave us an insight into their experience working in their desired professions through our new question and answer series. 

Sam Charette
Sport Management

Semester-Long Internship: Harvard University marketing department with Shaun Dawson, Assistant Director of Marketing
Previous Internships: Danvers Indoor Sports, Florida Gulf Coast University athletic department

What inspired you to pursue an internship at this organization or what inspired you to go into the specific industry in which you are working?

I previously interned with Florida Gulf Coast in their athletic department and after I concluded my time with them, I knew that collegiate athletics was an environment that I could see myself working in. Athletics has always been such a huge part of my life and who I am as a person so to be able to incorporate it into my academic and professional life has been tremendous.

What were some of your most meaningful experiences on the job and what did you learn?

During my time with Harvard University's Athletic Department, I have been able to learn so much and grow tremendously as an individual. My supervisor gave me the freedom to develop my own marketing campaigns for Harvard's athletic teams, create digital and print advertisements for all of their varsity sports, and manage athletic marketing events. The internship program that Harvard University has developed allowed me to take initiative and run with ideas which helped to improve my confidence in my professional abilities and communication within the department as a whole.

How did your internship help clarify your postgraduate career pursuits?

My internship with Harvard University has helped solidify my desire to work within the sports industry. I am eagerly waiting to hear from a number of different job opportunities and contemplating the idea of graduate school in athletic administration after graduation from Endicott.

What advice would you give students that are either just starting the internship program at Endicott or students that will be going on semester-long internship?

My best advice for students either just starting the internship program at Endicott or starting their semester-long internship would be not to have any limitations. I think one of the best things that our internship program has taught me is if you are willing to learn and work hard, there should be no limitations on which job opportunities you seek out. I would also advise students to be as persistent as possible while applying for jobs or internships and to be confident in their abilities as a young professional.

Hannah Kiernan
Business Marketing

Semester-Long Internship: HireClix, Digital Marketing Intern
Previous Internships: Hallmark Health System, Inc., Beverly Athletic Club

What inspired you to pursue an internship at this organization or what inspired you to go into the specific industry in which you are working?

The HireClix company culture was a major part of why I chose to pursue an internship here. Everyone in the office wants to see the interns get the most out of our time here and it has as been a welcoming and an exciting culture to be a part of.

What were some of your most meaningful experiences on the job and what did you learn?

The amount I have learned has definitely been the most meaningful aspect of this internship. Marketing has always been something I am passionate about. Being able to work with major clients on how to improve their marketing efforts has been an area I have enjoyed while working at HireClix.

How did your internship help clarify your postgraduate career pursuits?

My internship at HireClix has helped to confirm that I want to work in the marketing and advertising industry after graduation. I see myself working at an agency that works with clients on how to implement marketing strategies.

What advice would you give students that are either just starting the internship program at Endicott or students that will be going on semester-long internship?

My advice would be to choose an internship where you could see yourself working at post-graduation. By having your goal set on getting a job offer, or at least gaining a valuable connection, it will help to make you work harder at your internship and it will make the work you're doing more meaningful.

Gabriella Coppola
Business Marketing

Semester-Long Internship: Dessange Group North America, Marketing Department, Digital Marketing Specialist
Previous Internships: Watertown Savings Bank

What inspired you to pursue an internship at this organization or what inspired you to go into the specific industry in which you are working?

I pursued an internship at DGNA because of the events and promotions that I am able to work on. I knew that I did not just want to sit at a desk all day but wanted to be up and around putting events together, talking to people, and such. The beauty industry has always been of interest to me because of the constant change in trends. Within the Marketing department, I knew that having to constantly stay up to date with those trends would make for a fulfilling internship.

What were some of your most meaningful experiences on the job and what did you learn?

One of the most meaningful experiences on the job was working with such a small team. The marketing department consisted of four people (minus the field marketers), so having that small number of a group made me appreciate just how much each person had to get done in order for our department to run smoothly. Working alongside the Vice President of Marketing was especially meaningful because I was getting feedback from that high up in the company. Although this was the largest company I have interned for, it was still small enough that I got to know my coworkers on a personal level which was fun.

How did your internship help clarify your postgraduate career pursuits?

I am not so sure that I want to work in this industry but it was for sure a learning experience. It did help clarify that I would like to work for a department that works as hard as the one I was a part of! After graduation, I'm still unsure of where I see myself but definitely helping to market and plan events will be a part of wherever I go hopefully.

What advice would you give students that are either just starting the internship program at Endicott or students that will be going on semester-long internship?

Some advise I would give students is to take notes! Even if they do not seem important right that minute or to the task at hand. My supervisors constantly were giving me advice that not only had to do with the job but how things work at companies or how to act in certain situations, professionally.

The Endicott Experience feature aims to highlight the entirety of the student-athletes' experiential learning journey throughout their academic careers. The student-athlete at Endicott is afforded the same opportunities as the general student population at the College as it relates to internships, study abroad, and postgraduate career pursuits. This philosophy mirrors the mission statement of the College which every student is encouraged to take intellectual risks, pursue scholarly and creative interests, contribute to the community, and explore diverse career paths. Read more Endicott Experience features by navigating the links below.   

INTERNSHIP: Fall 2015 | 2014-15 Internships | Fall 2016 Semester-Long | Gulls "Learn By Doing" On Winter Break | 442 Student-Athletes Complete Internships During 2016-17 Academic Year

STUDY ABROAD: Studying Abroad as a Student-Athlete at Endicott | James Dwyer Focuses on Opportunities Abroad in Switzerland with Les Roches Global Hospitality | Endicott Student-Athletes Study Abroad in Asia | Holly Erbe Studies Abroad in London, Paris, Amsterdam | Andrea Courtemanche Gains New Perspectives Through Study Abroad Trip | 

ACADEMICS: Emily Sharpe and Eric Owens Balance STEM and Sport at Endicott | Kendra Walters, Creating Her Own Happiness Through Art at Endicott

CAREER OUTCOMES: Internships Lead To Career Outcomes | 2015 Graduates Find Immediate Success in Job Market

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