Paige Santiago, ’19

I worked with a team that focused on internal communications. There, I created blog posts about client successes, generated tweets and assisted in recording executives for internal webcasts and other video memos. Every day I would check in with my manager or other team members to see if there was anything in particular that they needed help with during the day. I sat in on team calls about twice a week, and was invited to several seminars over the summer that provided learning opportunities for interns. On a regular day I worked on the monthly email about client successes, looking at either the writing and language, or getting into the technical components of creating and sending a mass communication.

While applying for a great internship opportunity at IBM, a friend of mine suggested that I meet with his father, an employee at the company. We discussed my goals, and through our conversation he walked my resume and application to HR.

Throughout my internship I utilized my writing skills with day to day emails and blog posts. I am also proficient in Slack, a communication platform that my team was just beginning to use. I was able to show them the basics and give suggestions about how they could better leverage the tool.

Through SJU, I have met several professors and become part of several organizations that prepared me well for this opportunity. I was able to draw on knowledge from a management class that I took my freshman year, as well as use that professor as a resource during my interview process. Other organizations that I am involved with at SJU have also provided me with a community that has given me more confidence in my skills and as an individual.

Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try something new! I never thought that as an English major I would enjoy working for a big tech company, but after a summer at IBM I gained a lot of clarity on my career path and the kinds of things that I can do with my degree. I would also advise talking to someone who works in the field you are trying to get a job/internship in. Networking is important, and it can be really beneficial when you are part of a large group of applicants.