On Thursday, Sept. 10, second-year students gathered in the Susquehanna Room to listen to a panel of fellow students share their experiences with an array of internships, giving students an inside view to internship opportunities and experiences.
The panel takes place annually in September. each year, giving students time to learn and discuss internship opportunities early.
“Hosting the panel in early September gives students time to take what they learn and begin preparing for and pursuing opportunities for the upcoming spring and summer,” said Maureen Brown, Senior Director of the Career Development Center, said. “The timing works out well to be ahead of all our fall Meet & Greets.”
This year’s panel was made up of seven Elizabethtown students; Logan Crossett, Ceinwyn Erb, Adam Pacelli, Raven Mills, Lauren Kisser, Rachel Bartow, and Paul Fulfer.
Logan Crossett, a senior Marketing major, interned with The Hershey Company with a Management Seasons role. Crossett said he would use seasonal sales data to predict trends, tell stories, and advise the company’s cross functional teams about seasonal candy. He has been working with Hershey for nine months. He works 20 hours during the semester and full-time over the summer.
“It feels very empowering to use the skills I have acquired in a real environment,” said Crossett said. “I am always very proud when I finish presenting a slideshow I put together or a report I spent a lot of time on because I know it will help drive strategy. It is super rewarding and exciting to show off the tools I’ve acquired at school, getting to see what I practice every day manifests in meaningful ways.”
Students are able to hear directly from their peers personal experiences in internships in an assortment of different fields.
“There is something especially powerful about students hearing directly from their peers who have recently gone through the process themselves,” said Brown said.
Ceinwyn Erb, an environmental science major, shared her experience interning over the summer with the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program at W.K. Kellogg Biological Station.
“Stepping into the professional world for the first time can feel daunting or confusing to navigate,” said Erb. “Sharing successes, failures, and advice with our peers and the cohorts after us is important not just to support one another, but to make meaning of our experiences.”
Students in attendance left the event with more knowledge of the internship process as well as new connections.
“These events are definitely important for students,” said Calvin Leigh, sophomore finance major. “Hearing from other students that have already completed internships is valuable as they have direct insight and advice on how to help you.”
The event features a moderated question section, followed by student questions.
“I moderate a discussion with our student and employer panelists around topics such as finding internships, application and interview strategies, workplace expectations, networking, and how students can make a strong impression once they are on the job,” said Brown said. “We also leave time for students in the audience to ask their own questions.”
The Career Development Center hopes to help students get a headstart on the internship process and provide the support they need throughout this process. Staff members share how they feel an early start is important.
“Starting early gives students time to build their resume, develop professional skills, explore career interests, make connections, and understand the recruiting timeline before they feel pressure to secure an internship,” said Brown said. “Internships can also be an incredibly valuable tool for career exploration, sometimes learning what you don’t want to do is just as valuable as confirming what you do.”
The Career Development Center holds events such as an Internship Boot Camp, employer Meet & Greets, site visits, employer coffee chats, employer panels, and a few other career events each year.
“[These events] allow students to learn about opportunities and build connections with employers,” said Brown said. “Students do not need to navigate the internship process on their own- we encourage them to connect with our office early and often.”
Crossett expressed that the smaller campus community has an abundance of benefits to students and their career growth.
“Elizabethtown has helped me in so many ways throughout my journey through the resources and community we foster,” said Crossett said. “Resources like the Career Development Center offer a great advantage for students, through the networking events they put on and the personal help they offer. Whether it be resume workshopping, interview practice sessions, or borrowing from the career closet, we have such an amazing team on our side. Lastly, you will find that Etown alumni are everywhere in the business world and are typically happy to help. They’ve been in our shoes and are happy to offer advice or insights into their journeys.”
Students in attendance felt the event helped provide them with a stronger sense of direction after hearing directly from peers’ experiences.
“I feel that this event increased my confidence in my ability to get an internship in the future,” said Leigh said.
Staff members at the Career Development Center are hopeful that these events help to assist students in beginning their professional careers.
“My hope is that [students] walk away with practical strategies, greater confidence, and an understanding that the Career Development Center is here to support them throughout the entire process,” said Brown said.
