Liberal Arts Major: Communication Arts and Sciences
Hometown: Ridgewood, New Jersey
Experience Time: Fall 2021

Give us a brief summary of your experience?

At New Leaf Initiative, I have been able to conduct testimonial emails to past/current members, create social media posts that motivate people to take a break from work, relax, and come into New Leaf for a change of scenery during their remote workdays. I also open the workspace almost every morning, which consists of me watering plants, introducing myself to new members and other members to each other, and scheduling my supervisor and I's to-do list for the week. During my time so far, I have been a part of two events we have hosted, one including a Women In Business Club meeting for a mental health check-in, which introduced me to businesswomen and gave me insight into my potential future. The second event was a co-working/business convention, which focused on group activities that can improve the work we are currently in and the impact it has on the world.

How did this experience impact you academically?

This experience has improved my time management/organizational skills and professionalism. My supervisor asks me to use a website called Basecamp to handle our schedules for each week. This helped me stay on top of assignments by giving myself specific deadlines to complete my projects. Since we have hosted our Women in Business event and co-working/business convention, I was asked to speak to various participants in a professional manner. Because I am a CAS major, I am asked to do a lot of public speaking for many of my classes. Being that I've practiced speaking to a number of businessmen and women, I have learned to use my voice in a professional manner and developed interpersonal skills that help gain the audience's attention during a presentation. I have already had two presentations just this semester and because of this experience, they went fluently.

"[During this experience,] I have learned to use my voice in a professional manner and developed interpersonal skills that help gain the audience's attention during a presentation."

How will this experience impact your career goals?

This experience will expand my knowledge of the world of communications and the artistic industry. I am interested in pursuing a career in the music industry, so interning at a workspace that is welcoming to people of all occupations, I have been able to meet a variety of people who have given me an insight into their own worlds. I also have been able to get an idea of what it would be like to manage a social media account and challenge my creativity throughout this internship, which I think really helped open my mind up to different possibilities of art.

How has the College of the Liberal Arts helped you to find and/or succeed in this experience (e.g., adviser, faculty, staff, enrichment funds, etc.)?

The Liberal Arts Alumni Mentor program has been a huge part of how I got this internship. Two years ago I was lost and confused until I asked my advisor, Mia Parise, how she could help. She led me over to Lauren Granese's profile where I was able to set up meetings with her and was introduced to this program. I met my alumni mentor, Emily Fisher, and since then, Emily has been a big help to me. She has always been there for support, questions, and any time I'm in need of career advice. I wouldn't have found this internship without Emily's guidance and for that, I will forever be grateful for her.