Ava Kinney

Majors: History, Communications
Minor: Organizational Leadership

Strategic Communications Intern at Strada Education Foundation

How did you learn about this internship opportunity?

Indeed

What is a piece of advice you would give someone in your major looking for an internship?

Visit the career services office on campus and utilize all the resources available to you. Purdue offers a vast alumni network as well as connections to employers that have hired Purdue students in the past. Begin your internship search by speaking with career services, your professors, and fellow students. Additionally, utilize various job search platforms to identify opportunities (Indeed, LinkedIn, etc.).

What key responsibilities or projects have you taken on during your internship?

I utilized a media monitoring platform to collect relevant news mentions of my organization and compiled them into a monthly, internal newsletter. I also produced multiple competitive analyses by researching peer organizations, analyzing content, and assessing opportunities and recommendations for the organization's own communications strategy. Finally, I created a media list focusing on reporters whose coverage included topics relevant to the organization. I also researched emerging online news outlets and assessed which provided the most opportunity for the organization to disseminate its research.

How has your internship helped build your skills and clarify your career goals? How did being a Liberal Arts student at Purdue apply to your internship?

My Strategic Communications Internship has helped developed my skills in areas such as media monitoring, research, technical writing, public speaking, leadership, and communication. It helped clarify my career goals by providing me with a network of nonprofit professionals who were willing to mentor me and offer career insight into their own pathways. Being a Liberal Arts student at Purdue helped equip me with the skills and confidence to successfully navigate this internship experience. Purdue's Liberal Arts College has taught me how to think critically, analyze research to produce clear conclusions, work in collaborative environments, and effectively communicate my findings.

In what ways has the College of Liberal Arts at Purdue University supported your internship journey? How has your participation in our Job-Ready program specifically aided your professional development?

The College of Liberal Arts at Purdue University supported my internship journey from the start to the finish and beyond. Before even applying to internship opportunities, the Liberal Arts Career Services Office helped me prepare my resume and cover letter, effectively job search, and practice for interviews. After securing an internship, the Liberal Arts College continued to support me by providing resources and scholarship funding to help cover the additional financial costs that come with accepting certain internship opportunities. Throughout the summer, the Job-Ready program supported me by offering summer check-ins and listening to updates about my experience.

Could you highlight a standout aspect of your experience in the Job-Ready program that you find particularly noteworthy?

The Job-Ready program impacts student because of the consistent support it provides. Staff check-ins and summer updates ensure that students know they are supported and encouraged throughout the duration of their summer experience. Navigating internships and professional workplace environments for the first time can be daunting, but programs like Job-Ready make that transition smoother for students.