By Adrianne Hutto, Production Editor
With its proximity to Manhattan, Manhattan College is the perfect location for students who are looking for careers in the communications field. In fact, according to manhattan.edu, 73 percent of students complete at least one internship during their time at Manhattan College. It is these internships that help students to secure jobs in their desired field post-graduation.
Maeve Kirk, senior communications major with a concentration in media production currently works with Warner Music Group in the creative department. Kirk explained that this was an internship she had long coveted, applying several times prior to securing it this semester.
“I’ve always wanted to work with music. And I think it’s funny because freshman year I wrote my first paper on music and identity and so, just slowly it’s always just been integrated with everything that I do,” Kirk said. “It very much inspires my work. And when I took Intro to Graphic Design it really was where I was like, ‘Oh, I can do this as a career.’ So that’s really where I caught my passion for it and I’ve really been able to hone in and expand my skill set with Adobe and all that stuff.”
Kirk explained that she has enjoyed the entire experience thus far.
“I was pleasantly surprised because sometimes being a new hire is terrifying,” Kirk said. “But I really lucked out with my team. They’re so welcoming, they’re so supportive and yeah, I’m so happy.”
For Kirk, the core memory for her was her first day in the office.
“I think the first day of orientation when I walked in, because I have always been a fan girl,” Kirk said. “So when you walk in you just see there’s Coldplay on the wall and Bruno Mars on the wall. And just being in that office was an amazing experience. It was very much a dream come true.”
For another student, Victoria Correia, her first day in the office also stood out as her best memory with her internship thus far.
“I honestly think my first day just being in 30 Rock was such a core memory for me, because I’ve had internships remotely before but I’ve never had anything in person, let alone something like this. So, just walking in and feeling super overwhelmed, but those were good emotions, I was just like, ‘Wow, I made it, I’m here’.”
Correia is interning at NBC as a scripted entertainment public relations intern working at the 30 Rock building.
Correia explains that she enjoys her position because it gives her the inside scoop with televisions and movies.
“I never thought that would happen as an intern,” Correia said. “I get to know about shows and movies that are being released through the company, let’s say at the end of the year or next year, and I also like how it’s kind of relevant stuff. I watch these shows and everyone talks about them. It’s pop culture and stuff that I genuinely enjoy. So I think it’s really cool to be working in a space like that.”
Due to her experience working with NBC, Correia has been able to solidify her decision of wanting to work in the entertainment industry.
“At first I was hesitant because I didn’t know what that would entail, but being there and doing the work for it made me think like ‘Okay, I’m in the right place,’,” Correia explained. “I think this is what I want to do because every day when I come into work I actually really do enjoy it and I love it. So that makes me even more motivated to start looking for more jobs out there.”
Rory Graham is a senior double majoring in political science and English writing for The Rodeo Magazine. Through word of mouth and family friends, Graham was able to secure her job with The Rodeo Magazine.
“I had put out a blog, so people were able to see my writing and they were like, ‘I think you’d be a good addition to the team,’,” Graham said. “So we connected and then I kind of got started writing for The Rodeo.”
While Graham is working towards being an English teacher, she is passionate about writing, which is what led her to her current position.
“It helped me to realize that I can still pursue my own writing in addition to a day job, because a lot of people that work there are older than me,” Graham said. “But some people do have a day job and this is what they do after their nine to five. So, I was able to see examples of people who were pursuing writing for fun instead of their main source of income, which is exciting.”
Graham explained that this internship was beneficial as it forced her out of her comfort zone in new ways.
“It really challenged me in ways that I liked and that I was not used to,” Graham said. “It kind of made me come out of my shell a little more when I was talking to new members of the team. And like, I had the opportunity to do some artist interviews, which is something I’d never done before. So that made me really nervous, but it was fun to challenge myself like that. I really feel like it’s helped me.”
As deadlines for spring internship opportunities approach, MC students can take advantage of position listings provided by their school’s department.
“Don’t be nervous and it will happen when it happens,” Kirk said. “I keep telling people it can be discouraging when you see other people getting internships and other internships that you specifically want, but try not to compare yourself to other people. It will happen when it happens. And if you’re passionate about something and you really want it, good things will come.”