Internship Evaluations

What do our interns learn?

How do they evaluate their internship experience?

Here are a few comments…

Elena Petricone, Hampshire College '09

What professional skills did you learn during this internship that you feel will help you further in college and in your career?

I feel as though I was exposed to many professional skills over the course of the summer. Everything, from the little things like adhering to regular hours and dressing professionally (the dress code at Hampshire College, even when I worked at the CHC, was considerably more casual; and we were lucky to get everyone in the same room for a once a week meeting…) have given me a long list of small and large accomplishments that I feel as though I can carry over to future opportunities. Specifically, composing emails to editors, reading articles and book proposals critically, researching publications, and assembling slidecasts are all projects that provide attractive transferable skills.

What career insights did you gain that you feel will help you be successful in your eventual career?

I had some insight into the publishing industry before I came here and read The Expert’s Edge, but only from friends and professors who had published fiction and academic works; in other words, my only exposure was from the author’s perception. My brain always kind of froze in a panic when I would think of publishing; so much of it seemed muddled, hard to navigate and motivated by who knows who rather than talent. Though this internship focused on business publications, I feel as though the brain panic has calmed; knowing how decisions are made and how an author can advocate for themselves gives me concrete ideas for what I can do to advance my own writing career.

What did you NOT learn about that you wish you had?

More technical things, business terminology…I found myself examining client websites for long periods of time and still unsure of what the heck they did. I think that gaps in my own knowledge can account for this. Overall though, I did like diving into things.

What aspects of the internship did you most enjoy?

Writing emails to editors and clients. It’s challenging, and trying to find the right words can feel like I’m pulling a truck out of my face; but it was so rewarding when I would get positive responses. In addition, I was humbled that I was able to initiate making slidecasts out of the webinar series. I’m not super technically inclined, but thinking about how to use the Internet is fun. I also really loved going to the museums and other historic spots around town. I don’t think I would have “stopped and smelled the roses” if it hadn’t been required. I really appreciated all the field trips.

How could this internship be improved?

Can’t think of anything!

How could the room in which you worked be made over so as to improve its working environment?

Maybe a small fan? There is a vent in here but sometimes the air would still feel stale.

Click here to learn more about Internship Opportunities.