“You can learn only so much in school—what you’ll always learn best is what you do every day,” said Juliet Bromme, one of several communication majors who found internships this summer at prominent organizations across the country.
To prepare students for their calling, communication majors at Union are required to fulfill at least 200 internship hours in their field. “Internships help build students’ confidence, experience, and network, and they make the concepts from the classroom tangible,” said Michelle Velazquez-Mesnard, the Vice President for Enrollment Services at Union, who previously taught communication.
“I’ve really enjoyed Union’s Communication Program,” Juliet said. “People have really supported me. Having someone else believe in you, aside from yourself, is encouraging.” She gained internships with Adventist Review and the Healthcare Leadership Council in Washington, D.C. this summer, working as a writer and editor as well as attending and reporting on senate hearings.
Jacob Sanchez is another communication major, who switched from the business program. “I love this program. It’s given me a solid base to stand on for real-world experiences,” he said. He’s interning this summer at Inland Empire Health Plan in California for the chief of marketing and communication. Jacob has heard great things from those among the nearly 1.25 million members they serve in southern California. “I love it,” he said, “it’s amazing to work for a company like this.”
Hannah Drewieck is a double major interning this summer at TDS Telecom in Wisconsin. “I’m helping employees to feel more connected to each other—that’s something that is really important to me,” she said. She enjoys working with her team as they manage the company’s communications. Her experience with her second major has left an impact on her. “The students in the communication program are smart and driven people, and the classes are challenging and practical,” she said. “I’d choose this division again and again.”
by Maria Kercher, senior communication major