Communications majors ‘get connected’ at internship and career expo

Thirty-five organizations representing a variety of communications-related industries attended a Feb. 12 internship event hosted by the School of Communications Internship Office and Elon University’s Student Professional Development Center. 

The Communications Internship Showcase & ePortfolio Review attracted 50 professionals from advertising, marketing and strategic communications agencies (McKinney, G&S Business Communications, Wray Ward and Visionpoint Marketing), production companies (Thunder Mountain Media, The cgroup and Seacrest Studios), sports organizations (Greensboro Grasshoppers and Burlington Royals) and news outlets (WFMY, WGHP and WCHL), among other industries. ABC11 had one of the largest presences at the event, bringing several professionals to campus.

The showcase's theme this spring was "Get Connected."

The company representatives in attendance sought internship candidates with proficiency in public relations and marketing, corporate communications, reporting, analytics, design, production and sport marketing.

Between the ePortfolio review and general walk-in sessions, 169 students attended the expo. A photo gallery of the showcase is available on the school’s Flickr page.

As part of the event in Snow Family Grand Atrium, student attendees practiced their networking and interviewing skills, received career advice, and participated in critiques of their ePortfolios, reels and resumes.

According to Nagatha Tonkins, director of internships for the School of Communications, the feedback from students has been positive, noting that they benefitted in many ways, from learning about internships, fellowships and careers, enhancing their networking skills, and getting good advice on how to improve their resumes and ePortfolios, to making invaluable connections that will aid in their job and internship searches.

“We were very excited because employers came to hire our communications students,” Tonkins said. “Many employers said our students were impressive, professional and very prepared. Overall, it was a successful day because everyone pulled together to ensure our students had a wonderful experience.”

Amber Moser, assistant director of career services, Stephanie Bourland, associate director of corporate and employer relations, Jane Walters, program assistant in the School of Communications, and Ross Wade, senior associate director of career services, also coordinated the showcase with Tonkins. Members of the university’s Student Professional Development Center assisted with the event as well.