Story by Marin McGrath
Students all around the world face the daunting task of landing “the” internship.
One University of Arkansas student in particular, is no stranger to this process.
Ella Marshall, a sophomore ADPR major from Kansas City, Missouri had initially planned on studying something science-related in college.
“When I was in high school, I didn’t really do many creative routes,” Marshall said. “I was more under the impression that I was gonna go STEM.”
She enrolled in college as a chemical engineering major but quickly changed her major to information systems.
“Within the first week, I quickly realized that computers, computer software, anything technical, I’m not good at, unless I can have a creative say in it,” Marshall said. “So I analyzed every single major Arkansas had and basically closed my eyes, chose ADPR and said ‘this is what I’m gonna do and if it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out.’”
After discovering her passion for the journalism world, she joined UATV- the university’s student-run broadcast station. By doing this, she could further her connections on campus and be proactive for her future career.. Marshall now serves as the station’s digital content producer.
She said that her different career interests have allowed her to gain experience in multiple realms.
“I have a habit – as my friends say – of just not putting bounds on what I can do,” Marshall said.
Marshall holds a number of titles such as the former creative and public relations intern for Main Hill Media and a style shoot intern for Britt Jones Co. Currently, she’s an advertising and public relations intern for the Rogers Short Film Festival, and a member of the University Programs Headliners Concert Committee.
While applying for new internship opportunities and looking back at her old positions, Marshall said that the most important thing she has learned is being able to communicate.
“Most employers are not going to turn you down because you are there to learn, at least in my experience,” she said about asking questions and being willing to learn.
She said it can be very beneficial to utilize the tools on campus that help to prepare students – such as herself.
The school of Journalism and Strategic Media internship coordinator, Gina Shelton, also said that students have multiple avenues available for guidance in this area.
“Students can meet with me, they can meet with the Fullbright Career Office, or we also have a career center on campus,” Shelton said.
She also recommends getting involved in career-driven programs on campus that provide real experience.
While pursuing such exposure at the university, Ella Marshall said she has seen a lot of people going through the internship process and feeling pressured to get the most desired opportunity.
“Any internship could be ‘the’ internship,” Marshall said.
With the various internship experiences Marshall has been a part of, she said some of her favorite opportunities have been those taken on a whim.
As the internship coordinator, Gina Shelton said she wants students to remember that while it is important to build resumes and gain experience for the future, it is equally important to enjoy the adventure of college.
“I want students to have fun and I think sometimes there is too much pressure where students just feel this constant, ‘I’m not doing enough, I’m not gonna be ready.’” Shelton said. “I just tell students, ‘please relax, enjoy college. You don’t have to have it all figured out by the time you are 21.”
When it comes to the ever daunting task of preparing for a career, students and employers alike want the internship process to be enjoyable and most importantly beneficial for the future.