Intern Q&A Archives 2022-2023

Intern Q&A: Hanna Palladini

Many University of South Carolina Aiken students have the opportunity to gain experience in their chosen fields through internships with local companies. Hanna Palladini, business administration major with a concentration in management, is serving as a personnel security intern for Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) this summer.

What will your role with SRNS involve?

I'll be working in the badge office, helping to ensure that all employees are processed correctly. The badge office serves as a general checkpoint for all personnel before they access the barricaded area.

How does this opportunity align with your career goals?

This internship puts me in contact with a lot of people because everyone has to go through security in some fashion, and building interpersonal skills aligns with my managerial interests. I'm interested in project controls—really anything that involves creating new things and working with the general public—and would like to continue working for Savannah River Nuclear Solutions in the future.

What else do you hope to gain from this experience?

Generally, I'm looking for more experience in the working world, either in security or supply controls. I'm trying to get experience with every position imaginable so I can be a valuable and versatile job candidate when I graduate.

What other experiences have helped prepare you for your future in business administration?

I also interned with SRNS last summer. That internship was in human performance improvement (HPI), essentially their safety program. HPI involved far more creativity than I expected, such as coming up with engaging learning activities while emphasizing teamwork and making safety fun. Learning how to make things interesting to people will help me become a better manager later in my career.

How were you chosen for these roles?

With my first internship, there was an emphasis on public speaking and thinking outside of the box. A lot of intern candidates did not anticipate speaking to large crowds, so I believe the skills I brought to the table in that area helped. With the second, my resume was a bit polished with the previous experience in HPI. I approached SRNS independently and interviewed through their hiring managers each time.

What led you to choose business administration for your major?

Business seems to be very broad, so job security is likely. I considered STEM fields, but business administration is less math intensive and allows for a bit more creativity.

What advice would you give other students seeking an internship?

Apply as often as you can and keep updating your resume! Also, a lot of people think that SRNS is for engineering majors, but that is not the case. They welcome anyone who fits their job descriptions. Check them out and see if their openings fit you. Chances are, they will. 

Intern Q&A: Brooke Paquin

Many University of South Carolina Aiken students have the opportunity to gain experience in their chosen fields through internships with local companies. Brooke Paquin, an emerging media major, will intern for S.A. Mikell & Company this summer.

What will your role with S.A. Mikell & Company involve?

I will be a content creator and social media intern to help the company market and promote itself online to different audiences.

How does this opportunity align with your career goals?

My career goals involve working for a growing company where I can also grow. When I interviewed for this internship, I was told there is room for growth because the company has never had a marketing department. Interns may have the opportunity to grow into a full-time role. Also, while this job mostly revolves around social media, I'm looking forward to using the graphic design skills I've acquired through my classes.

What else do you hope to gain from this experience?

I'm planning on staying in the Aiken area after graduation, so I'm hoping to make connections with many different people in the Aiken community as well as the Augusta area.

How were you chosen for the role?

The opportunity was posted on the Stall Wall. I was interested because I knew I would need a job for summer and it was a good fit. I applied, went for an interview and got the job!

What other experiences have helped prepare you for your future in emerging media?

For the past year I have been a marketing and communications intern for Aiken Electric Cooperative. It has allowed me to learn about the marketing and overall business operations of a larger company. I've also made connections with customers and others in the community through this opportunity.

What led you to choose emerging media for your major?

I entered college as an emerging media major. I didn't know what I wanted to do, but I knew I loved to talk and meet people and use social media and design tools such as Photoshop. It was the right decision—I have absolutely loved it.

What advice would you give other students seeking an internship?

Apply for internships you think you would love. Choosing opportunities that are a good match to your interests will be more helpful to you in the future and help you gain more knowledge and experience in the long run.

Intern Q&A: Stephanie Witherspoon

Many University of South Carolina Aiken students have the opportunity to gain experience in their chosen fields through internships with local companies. Communication major Stephanie Witherspoon has been working as a human resources (HR) intern for Bridgestone since last August.

What does your role with Bridgestone involve?

I am the HR intern, so I help the HR representatives and training coordinators with hiring and pre-employment functions. I schedule candidates for interviews, assist with interview preparation and new employee orientation. Once candidates are hired, I guide them through the pre-employment process and help with whatever they need.

How does this opportunity align with your career goals?

Last spring, I changed my major from exercise science to communication. I learned quickly that I didn't want to be a physician or other health care provider, but I've always loved communicating and helping people. I never thought much about HR, but when the internship at Bridgestone became available, I thought it sounded interesting. It ended up being a great fit and opened my eyes to what HR really is. I may have the opportunity to stay at Bridgestone full-time after graduation if a position is available, but if not, I would be interested in administrative patient care in a hospital setting.

What else have you gained from this experience?

It has been a great networking opportunity, allowing me to meet new people and make connections with employees at Bridgestone. Also, it has shown me my weaknesses and strengths in the workplace while building upon both.

How were you chosen for this role?

I had just changed my major and needed an applicable internship, and Bridgestone was hiring for three openings in different departments. Career Services sent me the information and helped me update my resume. I interviewed for all three positions, and a couple of days later they offered me the one of my choice! I chose HR because it seems to have the most potential for learning and growth, and I'm so glad that I did.

What other experiences have helped prepare you for your future in communication?

When I was still an exercise science major, I worked as a rehabilitation aide at South Aiken Physical Therapy and Wellness. The patient interaction involved with that job helped me discover my love for communication. On campus, I worked in the Center for Student Achievement as a receptionist, and I also give tours as an admissions ambassador. These opportunities have allowed me to improve my communication skills while helping people.

What advice would you give other students seeking an internship?

Keep in close contact with Career Services and your department chair, making your name and your interest known. Career Services constantly sends out opportunities catered to you, and you can also research opportunities within your major that are tailored to what you want to do. Make sure you keep your resume updated so that when it comes time to interview, it's ready. 

Intern Q&A: Katherine Kruckow

Many University of South Carolina Aiken students have the opportunity to gain experience in their chosen fields through internships with local companies. Katherine Kruckow, a fine arts major graduating in May 2024, will serve as the social media marketing/content creation intern for S.A. Mikell & Company beginning May 15.

What will your role with S.A. Mikell & Company involve?

S.A. Mikell & Company is a residential and commercial construction firm in Aiken. I will serve as a content creator, sourcing content for the company's Instagram, Facebook and TikTok pages to promote the company's work.

How were you chosen for the role?

USC Aiken hosted professional interviews for the firm on campus. There were other candidate for the job as well, so I'm grateful to have been chosen.

How does this opportunity align with your career goals?

My main area of interest is in graphic design. This internship will allow me to focus more on graphics and expand my work product in digital design. Eventually I'd like to have a job that first and foremost keeps me financially stable, but that also keeps me learning. I don't want to ever feel comfortable. I always want to learn something new and keep current in the field.

What else do you hope to gain from this experience?

In a non-selfish way, I hope my work through the internship gets my name out locally in the industry and give me ideas on what types of graphic design work I can do for other companies. While I would love to spread my wings and explore living in other parts of the country, I can't deny how helpful local support is with getting a job. Right now I plan to stay in Aiken for at least a couple of years after I graduate.

What led you to choose a fine arts major?

I began drawing a lot at an early age. It came naturally to me, and I always loved it.

What advice would you give other students seeking an internship?

Just find something you love. Don't apply for any internship just so that you'll have one. Find something that will be a good match for your career.

What other experiences have helped prepare you for your future in graphic design?

I'm a member of the Esports Team, a campus club that brings students together who share a love of online gaming. Soon after I joined, I became the club's media manager, which involves creating flyers for our news and events and running our social media accounts. It gives me another opportunity to design graphics and add to my work product. The gaming part is also a nice side hobby!

Intern Q&A: Stephen Canepa

Many University of South Carolina Aiken students have the opportunity to gain experience in their chosen fields through internships with local companies. Stephen Canepa, an applied computer science major with a concentration in cybersecurity, will intern for Savannah River Nuclear Solutions beginning May 18.

What motivated you to study computer science?

That's a funny story because I was originally a nursing major! I started my clinicals and did not care for the hospital as much as I thought would-it just wasn't for me. I took a lot of computer courses in high school and thought I might like to get back to that. I took a semester of computer science and changed my major during my third year.

I miss my nursing professors, but they encouraged me to do what I truly want to do. I think what drew me to nursing is that I really enjoy helping people, and I can still get that from cybersecurity. If I can help a business from getting hacked, then I did something good for someone.

How does this opportunity align with your career goals?

An internship is an important milestone, one that most people need in order to find a good job. I need real-world experience in addition to classroom education. After graduation, I'd like to work with a smaller company, feel my way around the field, and eventually open my own cyber business.

What else do you hope to gain from this experience?

I want to see different applications of cybersecurity. What can I do with it? How can I apply what I'm learning in the classroom? Cybersecurity is a broad field, and I think having an internship will open my eyes to what types of jobs I can do with my degree. I know there's a huge need for cybersecurity, but there's still so much research on the best way to do things. It will be ever-changing in order stay one step ahead of the hackers.

How were you chosen for this role?

I applied for 15 other internships through Career Services, including one other with Savannah River Nuclear Solutions that had already filled. I found and applied for this one two days before it closed and just sold myself the best I could. Soon after that I got a call asking if I could do a phone interview in five minutes. It was nerve-racking, but I guess I did ok because I got the job! Maybe it worked out better that way because I gave honest, straightforward answers that I didn't prepare in advance.

What advice would you give other students seeking an internship?

Keep applying, and don't give up. If you need assistance, go to Career Services. They will give you all the tools you need, and then you have to go out and do the rest. When choosing where to apply, pick internships that will be useful and hands-on-not just fetching coffee.

What other experiences have helped prepare you for your future in cybersecurity?

I was a manager at the Runway Dog Cafe in Aiken for a long time beginning in high school. That experience allowed me to learn a lot of background about running a business, such as ordering and maintaining inventory. I will carry that experience to another business in the future.

Intern Profile: Allyson Newsome

Many USC Aiken students have the opportunity to gain experience in their chosen fields through internships with local companies. Allyson Newsome, a business major graduating in December, will serve as the marketing and communications intern for Aiken Electric Co-Op beginning May 8.

What motivated you to study business?

I arrived at USC Aiken undecided, but I knew I really liked working with social media and figured the marketing side of business might be my best bet. Digital marketing is the field that interests me the most.

What will your role with Aiken Electric Co-Op involve?

As marketing and communications intern, I will write for the company's South Carolina Living magazine, manage the newsletter, and help with photography, graphic design, event planning and development training.

How does this opportunity align with your career goals?

Eventually I would love a digital marketing opportunity that allows me to travel. This internship will allow me to gain experience in areas where I feel I need more training, such as with Adobe Photoshop, writing and photography. Being well-rounded will help me become a more valuable candidate in the future.

How were you chosen for the role?

Representatives from Aiken Electric Co-Op attended the career fair on campus, and I spoke with them there. Later, Career Services sent an email about the marketing intern opportunity. I applied through the website and was offered the job.

What else do you hope to gain from this experience?

I believe one of my weaknesses is talking to people. I'm hoping this experience will help me open up more and establish connections with people that can help with my career. It has already given me insight into things that happen behind the scenes in an organization. For instance, before this opportunity came up, I wasn't even aware that Aiken Electric Co-Op had a marketing department. It just shows that there are a lot of opportunities out there-we just have to find them.

What advice would you give other students seeking an internship?

I have noticed that many students are reluctant-or just don't want to take the time-to reach out to Career Services, but they should take advantage of this resource. Career Services helped me improve my resume and cover letter, which helped me get this position

What other experiences have helped prepare you for your future in marketing?

I serve as social media coordinator for Delight Ministries, a women's ministry that started on campus when I was a freshman. I previously served as president and secretary, and now I manage our social media, which helps build my resume for the digital marketing field.

For more information, contact Christen Engel, (803) 641-2825, Christen.Engel@usca.edu