It’s hard to believe that my senior year has arrived so quickly. As I look back, I can still remember when I was just entering Illinois State University as a freshman. Today, as I prepare to graduate, I am also preparing to start my career. I hope my journey inspires other students who are also preparing for their academic and career journey.
Why Illinois State?
I chose Illinois State because I really enjoyed the atmosphere during my campus visit. Being able to see students gathered on the Quad laughing and smiling made me want that for myself.
Choosing a major
Upon coming to the University, I didn’t declare my major, but I knew I wanted to study business. Toward the end of my first semester, I decided to double major in marketing and human resources. I chose marketing because I wanted to expand my detail, creativity, and problem-solving skills. In addition, I chose human resources because I want to be a part of sharing employee rights with them and learn more about what makes up an organizational culture.
Networking
During my sophomore year, I was a student receptionist at Career Services. I worked with students and employers daily, which allowed me to network constantly. I was able to attend career and internship fairs, which allowed me to grow professionally by interacting with staff, employers, and students. As a sophomore, I was unsure how to begin networking, but the more I attended these events and connected with others, the more easily my conversations flowed.
Internships
During my time at Illinois State, I completed two internships, one in marketing and one in human resources. These allowed me to put into practice what I had been learning in my courses at Illinois State.
I am currently wrapping up my internship as marketing and communication intern for Career Services at Illinois State. I have been able to write press releases, participate in interviews, prepare a media pitch, engage with students on social media, and more.
An internship is the right place to expand your knowledge and improve your skills to take with you when you start your career.
Thank you
I am very grateful to have met great professors who allowed me to expand my knowledge in my chosen field, employers who have taught me so much professionally, and the staff at Career Services for helping me put into practice my skills and be ready for my career. I will always appreciate my Redbird experience in my major, the networking skills I gained as a Redbird, and my internship opportunities that have helped me get to where I am today.
As I begin my journey with Addison Group as an associate recruiter, I encourage all to participate in an internship as part of your college experience. Don’t be afraid to network with others during school and career events, and most importantly, be proud of how far you’ve come with every step in your journey.
