Outside the Classroom
Outside the Classroom
My time at the University of South Carolina has been instrumental in shaping both my personal and professional growth. The experiences I’ve had outside of the classroom have challenged me to approach every opportunity with a deeper sense of purpose and insight. Whether through internships, networking, or hands-on projects, these experiences have not only enhanced my skills but also opened my eyes to new career paths in media law and other areas within the media industry. As I look toward graduation, I’m excited to apply the knowledge and perspective I’ve gained to the next chapter of my career.
For my first internship, I had the opportunity to work in Corporate Communications at The Andersons, a Fortune 500 agribusiness company that provides products and services to the agricultural market. In this role, I collaborated with a team of eight employees on both internal and external communications, including drafting, reviewing, and publishing content for various stakeholders through various channels. Additionally, I was able to apply my background in politics by researching state, federal, and Canadian government officials for the company's government affairs efforts.
Initially, I wasn’t sure what to expect from this internship, as it was in an industry I hadn’t considered before. However, it turned out to be one of the most rewarding experiences. Working in the agricultural sector opened my eyes to a new field and taught me a valuable lesson: don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. You never know what you might learn or how it could shape your career until you dive in.
For my second internship, I worked in Human Resources at Dana Incorporated, a Fortune 500 company based in my hometown that manufactures axles for Ford, Jeep, and Ram vehicles. Specifically, I was stationed at one of the company's manufacturing plants that produces parts for the Ford Ranger, Bronco, and Raptor. Initially, I hesitated to take the internship because I didn’t think working in a factory environment would provide valuable experience. However, this opportunity turned out to be incredibly rewarding.
I worked closely with both a manager and an HR generalist, which gave me a variety of tasks and responsibilities each day. One of the key takeaways from this experience was the importance of stepping outside my comfort zone. By immersing myself in the day-to-day realities of factory work, I gained firsthand insight into the challenges that manufacturing employees face—a perspective that many corporate professionals may never fully understand. This experience taught me the value of seeing things from all sides and reinforced how crucial it is to embrace new challenges, even when they seem unfamiliar or outside my expectations.
I currently serve as the External Vice President of my fraternity, a position I took on after previously serving as Tailgate Chair and Social Chair. Throughout my time in leadership roles, I've developed a strong willingness to step up, learn new responsibilities, and grow in unfamiliar areas.
As External Vice President, I oversee all major events, including mixers, formals, semi-formals, beach weekends, spring break trips, tailgates, and festivals. One of the most significant projects I led was an event called Chipsychotic, where I was responsible for coordinating everything from artist bookings and event promotion to securing sponsorships, managing sales, and overseeing event design. I successfully booked four DJs and one singer, and secured sponsorships from companies like Breakaway Music Festival and Celsius. The event ultimately attracted over 2,500 attendees, demonstrating the success of our team's hard work and collaboration.
Through these experiences, I've learned valuable lessons about teamwork, leadership, and event management. Each role has taught me how to work towards a common goal with a diverse group of people, all while adapting to new challenges and taking initiative when needed.
