Hannah Menke, a senior organizational communication major, took two internships this summer. She took a position as an Account Manager for Scenario Learning and a position as an Event Coordinator for Aviva Events. Scenario Learning, a software-publishing company, provides safety training software for school staff. Aviva Events, an event coordinating company, organizes weddings, fundraisers, and social events. Both internships were based in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Menke was attracted to Scenario Learning because of the opportunity to develop training skills. “After taking a training and development course this past spring quarter, the idea of training others in a professional setting began to cross my mind,” she said. “When I saw an advertisement for a company looking for interns to train new clients, I thought I should at least look into the position.” As most of her clients are out-of-state, she conducts most of her training through online demonstrations and phone conversations.

Menke also looked for other opportunities in her internship search. She was drawn to Aviva Events because it provided opportunity to be creative and utilize communication and organizational skills. “Event planners need good organization and people skills, which are two qualities that I possess,” she said. “I love event planning because it allows me to be creative and utilize my strengths!” She has helped plan and execute weddings and will work on a charity event this fall. These internships have given Menke a lot of responsibility and career experience. After having assisted with accounts at Scenario Learning, she was given her own account to manage. “Recently another intern and I were given our own account to manage,” she said. “This is exciting because it shows our boss trusts us enough to give us a large amount of responsibility. Going from assisting on accounts to managing my own gives me a great sense of accomplishment.”

Hannah (far right) with colleagues and a client of Aviva Events.

These internships have also helped Menke think through her last year of college. “Both of my internships this summer have helped me see my own strengths and weaknesses in the workplace,” she said. “Knowing this, I am going to choose classes that will help me improve upon my weaknesses before I graduate.”

Like many students approaching graduation, Menke was uncertain about the opportunities available to her after graduation. However, she recognized that internships provide opportunities to acquire career experience and transferable skills that new graduates often cannot obtain until after they have been working for a while. “Because internships are temporary, I have always viewed them as a way to try-out different careers,” she said. Internships also give students tremendous opportunities to develop skills related to their career and acquire advantages when competing on the job market. Menke has acquired much experience in a short time that will give her many advantages as she seeks out a career after graduation.  Students interested in internships should talk with their advisor several quarters in advance to ensure that all prerequisites are met.  The Scripps College Office also has an internship coordinator who can assist you in looking for internships in a variety of settings.

Scenario Learning
http://safeschools.com/

Aviva Events
http://www.aviva-events.com/