Communications majors prep for future at internship and career expo

The 2018 Communications Internship Showcase & ePortfolio Review drew 35 organizations to the School of Communications to meet with students seeking internships, employment opportunities and career advice.

Thirty-five organizations representing a variety of communications-related industries attended a Feb. 13 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 42 professionals from advertising and marketing agencies (FleishmanHillard, McKinney, RLF Communications and Wray Ward), strategy communications firms (Largemouth Communications and Porter Novelli), production companies (All Pro Media, cgroup, Myriad Media and Trailblazers Studios) and news outlets (Spectrum News, WFMY, The Times-News, Our State magazine and WCHL-FM), among other industries. These organizations sought internship candidates with proficiency in public relations and marketing, corporate communications, reporting, design and production.

Nearly 175 students attended the expo, up from 125 last year. A photo gallery of the expo 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 resume/ePortfolio critiques.

According to Nagatha Tonkins, director of internships for the School of Communications, the post-event surveys were positive, with students noting that they had “genuine conversations” with employers, who were interested in talking with upperclassmen as well as first-year students

Likewise, employers explained in their post-event surveys that Elon students were “articulate and passionate about their craft and education,” and that “students that came by were extremely enthusiastic and professional.”

“Employers were very pleased with our students and offered a few internships and job opportunities on the spot,” said Tonkins. “Students seemed very excited and grateful, too.” 

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

Additionally, Ashley Pinney, former associate director of corporate and employer relations, assisted with the planning of the showcase.