Eastern Connecticut State University students gained real-world experience this summer working as interns at a variety of companies. From small businesses to major corporations, students worked in hybrid, remote and on-ground environments as they fulfilled a range of functions, including video production, community outreach, IT support and more.

Junior English major Aiyana Hardy of Bloomfield worked as a writer/blogger with Disrupshion Magazine, a Black-owned fashion magazine.

“This internship gave me a foot in the door with writing for a magazine, while also showing me what it’s like to be a part of a creative team,” said Aiyana. “I had freedom over what I was writing . . . This internship gave me a voice.

“I got to learn the ins and outs of the magazine business — team meetings, brainstorming with coworkers, working closely with my editor and being featured in a printed magazine! It’s honestly amazing. I would’ve never imagined this.”

Senior history major Elizabeth Bartoshevich of Canterbury interned with the Connecticut River Museum in Essex, where she worked in the museum’s education department on research and video projects.

“This internship taught me about the practical applications of historical research,” said Bartoshevich. “My main project involved researching Turtle, the first-ever submarine used in warfare, which sailed in 1776. The project culminated in an educational video for the website.”

Speaking to working with video, she said, “This put me out of my comfort zone and helped me practice new ways of conveying information. I made new professional connections, and of course, I got to learn about something I likely never would have researched.”

Junior business information systems major Ryan Conley of Groton worked as a design/engineering intern at General Dynamics Electric Boat, the New London-based naval submarine manufacturer.

“This internship gave me exposure to the areas of finance, databases, internal relations and administrative responsibilities,” said Conley. “The experience was unique because not only did it put me in a professional office environment, but I actually worked directly with the government on real naval contracts that serve to protect the country.”

Junior business information systems major Connor Chute of Higganum interned with Travelers Insurance in its Business Insights and Analytics Leadership Development Program.

“I did technical work in the claim regulatory department, specializing in information delivery such as creating charts and graphics for data analytics,” he said, adding that his intern cohort worked on a team with full-time employees.

“This was a valuable experience because I worked as if I was in a full-time position and learned how Travelers and other corporations operate,” said Chute. "Now, I also have the opportunity to interview for a full-time position after I graduate.”

Senior communication majors Emily Hailu of Uncasville and Sarah Houle of Lisbon worked as video production interns with the Institute for Sustainable Energy at Eastern Connecticut State University. They traveled around the state filming and producing videos for community organizations participating in the ISE’s Sustainable CT program.

“This internship gave me the real-world experience of creating videos for organizations and working to reach others’ needs and expectations,” said Hailu. “I've enhanced both my filming and editing skills all while making some great new connections.”

Houle added, "The most valuable thing I learned from this internship is just how much pre-production goes into a video. Emails, setting up questions, finding times that work for everyone to film — it’s a lot!”

Senior communication major Ryan Gable of Torrington worked as a media intern with the Bristol Blues, a team in the New England Collegiate Baseball League, which is a collegiate summer league sanctioned by the NCAA and Major League Baseball.

“My job consisted of setting up all the equipment for livestreams—two cameras, graphics and audio board,” said Gable. “I also helped produce and edit different videos during the season, such as highlights, promotional nights and postgame interviews.

“This internship was a valuable experience because it gave me the chance to work hands-on with livestreaming,” said Gable. "I was the one who dictated which camera to go live and what graphics viewers at home were going to see. It was also up to my creativity to decide what kind of videos and graphics to make. This internship gave me the opportunity to be a leader and that is what's truly valuable, not only for this internship, but in the field.”

Senior criminology major Ashtin Solis of East Hampton interned with the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR), a recovery center in Willimantic.

“I played many different roles at the center,” said Solis, “like making telephone recovery support calls, facilitating all-recovery meetings, providing vocational support to recoverees and providing administrative support to the CCAR staff.

“This internship was a valuable experience because I got to help people who need support during their recovery while learning about several types of addictions,” she said. “I want to be a juvenile probation officer, but my experience with CCAR has made me realize that I could have a successful career as a substance abuse counselor as well.”

For more summer 2021 internships stories, visit https://easternct.meritpages.com/?merit_achievement_id=138932