STEP Reflection

This past summer, I used my STEP funds to finance living accommodations in Chicago. During that time, I worked as a marketing intern at RCN which is a cable, internet, and phone company.

My internship and time in Chicago were incredibly formative and transformational for both personal and professional reasons. Personally, I learned a lot about time management, organization, and just “adulting” in general. Because I was so busy with my first full time job, I got a taste of what it will be like in the real world. I had to learn about work/life balance for the first time and had a lot of fun doing it!

Professionally, I dove head first into the workforce with no prior experience in an office job. I learned so much about how offices operate as well as how the marketing industry operates as it related to my job position. I took a lot of initiative and went above and beyond my job description which allowed me to learn of my workplace capabilities.

The key aspects of the project that lead to my transformation were the fact that I was finally living in the city of my dreams, I did a phenomenal job at my first professional job, and I met so many incredible people. Being in Chicago was a great wake-up call and motivator to graduate next semester so that I can get a good job and move back there. There is something about being in the city that you know you want to live in forever that makes everyday life doable and fun.

At my internship, I took a lot of initiative and always completed my projects thoroughly and on time. I continuously impressed my supervisors and made sure I took any critiques positively and with great value. This was such a great time for me to do real marketing work for a large company and actually see the results. Specifically, I created a training program for the high school sales interns so that they would have some organized direction that’s they seemed to be lacking when I arrived. This was a great way for me to take on a leadership role within the company that wasn’t necessarily assigned to me.

Finally, in and out of the internship, I met some amazing people that have really helped me grow as a person. Many of my supervisors at RCN were able to provide some very valuable advice that has truly helped me develop as a professional. However socially, I met some people that are great friends and people who have really helped build my network. They have introduced me to the beauty of Chicago’s community and I am so grateful for this experience.

The changes I have experienced this past Summer can be applied to every aspect of my life. Academically, I can apply my marketing experience to my coursework to help me better understand concepts. Professionally, I now have a great network of people who are truly rooting for my success and have offered to help me through this journey.

As these changes relate to my future plans, I have already envisioned an incredibly successful and happy life in Chicago, and this Summer helped solidify that vision. I am so excited to finish my last year at Ohio State and move on to the professional world in Chicago!

G.O.A.L.S.

[ “G.O.A.L.S.” is a place where students write about how their planned, current, and future activities may fit into the Honors & Scholars G.O.A.L.S.: Global Awareness, Original Inquiry, Academic Enrichment, Leadership Development, and Service Engagement. For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.

Global Awareness: Students cultivate and develop their appreciation for diversity and each individual’s unique differences. For example, consider course work, study abroad, involvement in cultural organizations or activities, etc .
Original Inquiry: Honors & Scholars students understand the research process by engaging in experiences ranging from in-class scholarly endeavors to creative inquiry projects to independent experiences with top researchers across campus and in the global community. For example, consider research, creative productions or performances, advanced course work, etc.
Academic Enrichment: Honors & Scholars students pursue academic excellence through rigorous curricular experiences beyond the university norm both in and out of the classroom.
Leadership Development: Honors & Scholars students develop leadership skills that can be demonstrated in the classroom, in the community, in their co-curricular activities, and in their future roles in society.
Service Engagement: Honors & Scholars students commit to service to the community.]

Career

[“Career” is where you can collect information about your experiences and skills that will apply to your future career.  Like your resume, this is information that will evolve over time and should be continually updated.   For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]

Artifacts

bmc

 

This is the final Business Model Canvas (BMC) for my Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship Class’ group project. We were instructed to create the outlines of a business and then pitch it to the class as well as to a panel of judges. As a group, we worked together to work out the details of a potential 3D printing shop that would provide the general public access to 3D printing technology as well as an enjoyable learning experience. I personally created a survey to test some of our assumptions and found out that not many people had considered going to a mall for a learning experience, so we would be creating  a new revenue stream for that. We also discovered that not many people knew much about 3D printing but were definitely interested in creating cool and fun customizable items and gifts. In general, this project allowed me to learn a lot about how to create the blueprint of a business, and how to apply the things I learned in the class to real-world situations.

 

About Me

image

I am a first year Marketing student attending The Ohio State University. I am involved with the Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship (ICE) Scholars Program. I am incredibly passionate about music, as well as the psychology behind the business of advertising and marketing.

I consider myself an incredibly outgoing and friendly person. I love working with people, and I enjoy taking leadership roles in addition to simply being a valuable member of a team.

In high school I was very involved with the performing arts department, and I believe that this involvement has given me incredible speech skills, as well as the confidence to be myself. Theatre has taught me that I enjoy putting myself “out there” and that I work well in high-energy, collaborative work environments.

Year in Review

[ “Year in Review”  is where you should reflect on the past year and show how you have evolved as a person and as a student.  You may want to focus on your growth in a particular area (as a leader, scholar, researcher, etc.) or you may want to talk about your overall experience over the past year.  For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]