Internship Spotlights

As an intern at Dick's Sporting Goods, Maren Baxter worked on a team that focused on the design of in-store technology and increasing the visibility and usability of kiosks that are currently in stores.

Through her internship with adidas in Portland, public relations student Kristyn Hibbett, ’22, has learned the importance of storytelling and brand partnerships. Kristyn says her public relations coursework prepared her to conduct research and successfully work on a variety of campaigns for the shoe and athletic-wear company.

Through his Information Technology (IT) internship with Abbott Laboratories in Chicago, Tovin McVay, '22, has learned how large companies strategize and develop solutions to problems while working on large projects. Tovin said his EMAT coursework specifically prepared him to understand how IT projects are produced.

Through his internship with The Davey Tree Expert Company, public relations student Cole Oswald, ’23, has been working on various projects — and he says his public relations coursework successfully prepared him for this opportunity.

Through her digital design internship with Sherwin-Williams in Cleveland, Visual Communication Design student Grace Powell, ’22, has been researching and compiling design audits. She says her design coursework prepared her to create visual messages that elevate the company’s digital experience.

Through her internship with Eyesight Fashion & Luxury in New York City, Communication Studies major Kelissah Berger, '23, has practiced being more detail-oriented and learned about various creative positions she can pursue in the future. With a major in Communication Studies and a minor in Advertising, Kelissah feels her coursework prepared her to communicate professionally and successfully manage her time.

As an intern for Sherwin-Williams, recent photography graduate Tia McKnight, ’22, assists with styling sets and prop shopping, post-production/retouching and shooting for various brands under the Sherwin-Williams umbrella

For her internship with Nationwide Insurance, Emerging Media and Technology major Victoria Smith is working on automating reporting processes for the organization’s phone, voicemail, headset and accessories department. She says all of her EMAT coursework has prepared her for this opportunity. "Working in the professional environment is very similar to projects I have worked on here at Kent State."

At her internship with Jo-Ann Stores, Visual Communication Design major Cara Berlan works on organizing and designing packaging to send to vendors. She felt prepared for this opportunity and the tools she uses (Adobe Illustrator) thanks to her major coursework. She says: "I definitely want to continue a career in packaging design."

Kent State classes in digital public relations and analytics prepared Brady Warmbein well for his internship with Sherwin-Williams. Brady has been working with the company’s Do-It-Yourself digital content specialists, auditing websites; using the tools Google Analytics, Data Studio and Search Console to verify data; and managing submissions to the company’s Homeowners Association microsite.

Journalism student Shane Troyano, ’22, learned about the many types of journalism job opportunities he might pursue someday. He says his coursework in the School of Media and Journalism and work at Student Media’s TV2 News helped him prepare for this dream internship experience at the TODAY Show in New York City.

As an intern with Business of Home (based out of New York City) this summer, journalism major Catie Pusateri, '22, assists with building online articles, researching for stories and fact-checking. Her work as a web writer and managing editor for A Magazine through Kent State Student Media prepared her for this opportunity because she’s seen the inner workings of a magazine. 

Courses such as Advertising Messaging and Communication, Advertising Strategy and Development and Media Planning, taught advertising major Laina Rayman, ’23, a skillset that she is applying to her everyday work as an intern with Publicis Media. “Understanding how to conduct research and craft thoughtful messaging has been the most helpful in understanding the work of product marketers," she said.

For her internship at Auden & Co., photography major Sophie Kannberg has been learning about photoshoot prep, networking and teamwork. She says the trials and errors from practice in Kent State studio classes prepared her for the work that she’s doing now. "I'm gaining the confidence as a photographer that I have lacked for so long.” 

Through her internship with Fuse Branding Company, based out of Arizona, Katie Carpenter has been able to collaborate with design professionals all over the world. She’s learned a bit about what she wants out of a future career, too: “I definitely want to stay on the people end of things ... I really love meeting with the clients and pitching my graphics."

Communication Studies alumna Mia Barnes, ’22, assisted the Ohio State Senator and Assistant Minority Leader Nickie Antonio with both digital and hands-on tasks. Mia says her Communication Studies coursework and other leadership experiences prepared her for this opportunity and her internship turned into a job as campaign manager for Sen. Antonio’s re-election campaign.

Jo Wilson, ’22, is gaining important experience working in library databases and catalogs at their internship with the Kent State Library’s digital projects during summer 2022. Wilson has been accepted into the M.L.I.S. program at the Kent State School of Information and will begin graduate school in Fall 2022. After that, they hope to work in a library, specifically in making online catalogs more user friendly.