Humanities Internship Spotlight
Madison Westover | Santino Panaro | Andrew Nazarenus
Humanities students gain valuable, career-ready skills through their coursework and co-curricular programs. Internships offer an essential opportunity to apply these skills in real-world settings, explore potential career paths, and gain professional experience. For many students, completing an internship is a key step in successfully transitioning from college to the workplace.
Over the summer, I worked as a Sales and Marketing intern with BD, a leading medical device company. What initially drew me to this internship was growing up watching my dad work in the industry and manage his sales reps. His passion and dedication inspired me, and I’ve always admired the impact he made without being directly on the front lines of patient care. That’s what excites me about this field. I have a strong interest in sales and marketing, and being part of the medical device world allows me to contribute to people’s health and well-being, even if I’m not physically present with the patient.
This internship closely relates to my Strategic Communications major because it involved crafting clear, targeted messages, understanding audiences, and supporting brand strategy, all of which are central themes in my coursework. My classes have taught me how to effectively communicate with stakeholders, whether internal team members, sales reps, or external clients. For example, a recent project I worked on involved creating a brochure for the Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) team. This was one of my favorite projects because it allowed me to dive deeper into the products, learn how BD positions itself in the marketplace, and apply my communication and design skills in a real-world setting.
This internship is something I would absolutely do again. I loved being part of such a supportive and well-rounded community. From day one, I felt like the people around me were rooting for my success. It was an incredible learning experience, personally and professionally, and has confirmed my desire to pursue a medical sales and marketing career.
This summer, I had the opportunity to intern in the Sales and Marketing department at Immaculate Restoration, where I gained firsthand experience in relationship-building and brand outreach within the restoration industry. One of the highlights of my internship was attending a large convention meeting with the head of our sales department. I watched how he connected with potential clients, which deepened my understanding of how restoration services are marketed in a competitive space. Seeing how branding and conversation all came together to leave a lasting impression was exciting. I also learned the importance of strategic follow-up; what happens after the handshake matters just as much as the first impression.
Outside the convention, much of my role focused on networking with plumbing businesses and property managers, two of our key referral sources. I participated in a series of lunch meetings, where I had the chance to pitch our services, gather feedback, and learn how to tailor our messaging to different audiences. These face-to-face conversations helped me develop communication skills and gain insight into what matters most to our partners. I saw how sales and marketing work hand-in-hand to drive growth. This internship sharpened my business skills and gave me a real appreciation for the relationship-driven side of sales in the restoration world.
This summer, I had the privilege of interning at Richmond American Homes. I had a chance to rotate through three major departments: Land, Construction, and Purchasing. I spent five weeks in each department for a total of fifteen weeks. I was inspired at a young age by my dad and have dreamed of becoming a home builder. I was attracted to this internship to learn more. It felt addictive to have a practical knowledge of how houses are taken through the design process to become built forms and to observe all the preparation that goes on in the background that goes towards turning communities into reality.
The experience relates to my Strategic Communication major and Business minor by offering me a more versatile insight into how decisions are made at every level of a homebuilding company, including land acquisition, working through the construction phase, buying materials, etc.
I gained significant experience in project management, teamwork, and communication. This internship gave me an understanding of how I can use my skills in this industry. I will certainly use what I have gained as I look forward to a career in communications, marketing, or operations.