Antonieta Medina developed skills in public speaking, communication, and using technical skills to develop promotional materials with Earn to Learn.
How did you get your internship?
My friend played a significant role in introducing me to the Earn to Learn program. After looking into the program and applying, I had two interviews with two different teams. The overall hiring process took longer than expected but I made sure to reach out often to the hiring manager and let them know how interested I was. After a few weeks, I was informed that I got the position! I was hesitant at first because it was not directly related to my Fashion Studies area of emphasis, but I decided to take this opportunity as I knew there would be many transferable skills I would learn.
What kind of work did you do throughout your internship experience?
I had many tasks throughout my internship, some of which consisted of making phone calls to incoming students or high school seniors who were interested in attending the University of Arizona. I wrote personalized notecards to students on behalf of admissions or a specific advisor, created PowerPoints and flyers, and did meet and greets with students where I presented information about the U of A and answered any questions they had.
What skills did you develop in this internship?
The skills I developed while interning were organization, communication, multi-tasking, and technical skills such as PowerPoint. One skill that stands out that I developed is my public speaking. I was part of a student panel which really helped me develop confidence in my public speaking skills and it was a significant personal accomplishment as it was something out of my comfort zone. I know that as I continue my professional journey, these skills will continue to serve me and help me excel in any industry.
What was your favorite part of your internship?
The most satisfying part of my internship was being able to mentor and assist students. Being able to make a positive impact and contribute to their educational journey was truly rewarding. One example would be the meet and greet events when I got to have one-on-one interactions with students providing them with advice and information they needed to make the beginning of their college journey as easy and enjoyable as possible.
I was able to provide help to one particular student when answering his questions about what transportation is like on campus as he would need help to get to class due to his health condition. I wanted to ensure that he and his parents knew that he could thrive in his academic environment. I’d like to think that my role in providing this information and addressing their concerns brought a peace of mind to his family.
The overall impact of my work during the meet and greets contributed not only to the success of individual students but also to the positive atmosphere and support network at the University of Arizona, making it a welcoming and inclusive environment that fosters all students' success.
How did your Applied Humanities major coursework help prepare you or give you unique insight for the internship experience?
The PAH 383 Pre-Internship: Building Career Readiness course played a pivotal role in preparing me for this internship. This course covered a range of topics such as networking strategies, online professional platforms such as LinkedIn and Handshake, resume reviews, and interview preparation. Learning about all these topics was of great help as it helped me understand and prepare for real world situations. My interview for Earn to Learn happened at the same time I was taking the PAH 383 course. This could not have worked out better as I truly felt prepared and confident going into this interview and I put everything I had learned in the class into practice.
What advice do you have for other students as they search for and/or begin their internship?
One piece of advice that I’d like to share with other students is the importance of being open-minded. Be open to pursuing internships you might not have considered before -- sometimes the most unexpected opportunities can provide you with unique experiences, new skills, and a chance for personal and professional growth.