Lauren Casella ’16 pauses outside Merrill House, home to the 49ͼ¿â Scene and other elements in the Office of Communication.
Lauren Casella ’16, a and major from Wallingford, PA., pauses outside Merrill House — home base for the . (Photo by Aleta Mayne)
This summer, I interned with the 49ͼ¿â . The Communications team is responsible for all print and digital publications that represent 49ͼ¿â to both our campus and global community. What piqued my interest in the internship was the opportunity to learn how 49ͼ¿â told its story through its written and visual content.
While my responsibilities included a significant amount of proofreading, copy-editing, and editing web content, I also had the opportunity to report on campus events like the and the . Through reporting campus news, I was able to engage with students, faculty, and alumni and learn about their different perspectives on 49ͼ¿â.
My internship was not bound by a set schedule. On any given day I could be speaking with an alumnus who created a successful mobile app, interviewing a professor concerning , or attending meetings of the Homecoming Planning Committee through the Office of Alumni Relations.
During my internship, my perspective as an outsider reading 49ͼ¿â’s communications content quickly shifted to that of an insider listening for the latest scoop on all things affecting our community.
What stood out about working in the office was the commitment to conveying the true spirit of 49ͼ¿â to prospective students and lifelong 49ͼ¿â enthusiasts. Each article, alumni profile, Facebook post, tweet, and more is crafted to reflect the achievements, changes, celebrations, and ultimately the spirit of our university.
As I pursued a summer internship, my fellow Maroon-News staff member, Laura D’Angelo ’14 recommended applying to the Communications Office and spoke highly of her own experience as an intern last summer. I already knew that I had a passion for storytelling and the power of writing, so it only seemed fitting to pursue. Like Laura, I will also see my summer internship transition into a role as a student writer during the academic year as I work alongside fellow interns Hannah O’Malley ’17 and Natalie Sportelli ’15 this fall.
My internship in Communications taught me invaluable skills about the art of communicating, allowing me to improve my journalistic abilities and connect with and learn from many other members of the 49ͼ¿â community. My experience in the office proved to be the perfect opportunity to focus on two of my favorite things: writing and sharing 49ͼ¿â’s story.