Story by Kelly Tayofa
As students pack away their winter coats and start soaking in sunshine, there’s the added stress on top of finishing spring semester to solidify summer plans.
Whether it’s an internship, post-graduate job or preparing for the next adventure, Drake University students with a variety of backgrounds are gearing up for various new experiences: Some even are relocating to different cities.
Kristin Doherty, a junior magazines major, will be dreaming of veils, white dresses and centerpieces at her internship at The Knot, a bridal magazine, this summer.
“I’m going to be living in New York City and participating in the American Society of Magazine Editors’ Magazine Internship Program,” Doherty said. “A lot of great editors at major magazines went through the same ASME internship program when they were in college.”
Having spent last summer in New York City interning at Seventeen magazine, Doherty discusses networking as an great aspect to this summer employment opportunity.
“I’m really excited for the chance to network with other magazine interns and professionals,” she said. “Don’t be afraid to start small. My first internship was at my hometown’s tiny magazine. It gave me a few skills that I could talk about in interviews and put on my resume that served as a stepping stone to getting another, better internship.”
Doherty also advises that those who can’t relocate for the summer to look for remote internship opportunities as well.
“A lot of companies will hire interns to do work from home, which is convenient and another great resume booster,” Doherty said.
While Doherty spends her summer in New York City, other students sought employment closer to home but still within their career aspirations. Taylor Rookaird, a junior public relations major, will be working at a boutique PR agency in Minneapolis closer to home.
“I’m excited to get more experience in my field and make some good money,” Rookaird said. “Use your network to find the best opportunities for you.”
Some students even decide to stay in Des Moines. Katherine Ramsey, a sophomore public relations and law, politics and society double major will continue her spring internship at the Des Moines Wine Festival Foundation through the summer.
“I’m pumped for my vacation (to visit family in New Jersey), it’ll be a great couple of weeks on the beach,” Ramsey said when talking about her summer plans. “I’ll also be preparing to leave to spend the fall semester in Valaparaiso, Chile.”
While these students have been focusing on studying abroad and internships, other students are graduating and taking steps into the real world, like senior Austin Cooke, an accounting and finance double major.
“After graduation this year, I will be starting a month-long road trip around the Western United States. The trip will take me through Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona and Utah.” Cooke said. “I am looking to visit several national parks and see more of the U.S. before I start my full-time job in private client wealth management at Bernstein Global Wealth Management in Chicago.”
No matter your summer plans, students advise to network and make your summer fun.
“For those seeking employment for the summer I would suggest reconnecting with those you have met. If people are looking to have an exciting summer, reach out and see what others are doing,” Cooke said. “You might be able to piece together an exciting summer traveling.”
