The Marcolian Online

Mar. 1 , 2007

The Marcolian also had the opportunity to speak to some MC students who have advice for other students looking for internships or jobs. Junior Allison LaRocca and Senior Dana Donchess sat down with the Marcolian to talk about their success with internships and offer their insight in the job search.

Dana Donchess

Year: Senior

Major: AD/PR & Marketing

Have you had an internship before? If so, where, with who, doing what?

I started with internships after my freshman year of college, because with my major, experience is key to finding a job. I interned in the Retail Advertising department of the Vindicator, which is my hometown newspaper, the summer after my freshman year.

My main job was to cover for the outside sales representatives who went on vacation that week, so my clients and territory changed weekly. I was responsible for all aspects of a sales representative while they were away, which included ad layouts, proofing ads, working with the creative department designing ads, and getting approval from the clients.

My second summer, I worked for the same newspaper, but in the Classifieds department. At this time, the department was on strike, and there was only one full time and one part time representative to deal with every car dealership and realty company in Youngstown, Ohio.

Since I had the previous experience, I got a lot of responsibility in this department. Here, I functioned as a full-time sales representative working with specific clients on a daily basis. I had the opportunity to actually build relationships with my clients because they weren’t changing weekly, and I got a lot of connections from those relationships.

Here is where I found my third internship. We were hosting a golf outing, and the Youngstown Steelhounds Hockey Team staff was there. We made sure everything went smoothly for them, aka made sure they always had beer and were getting prizes. At the dinner later that day, they offered me a Marketing internship over Christmas break, because I had “marketed” myself to them so well that day.

This internship was different than the others. My main priority as an intern was to make sure the games and promotions during the games went smoothly. I’d find contestants, set up for games, and pretty much deal with whatever problem came up during the games.

Our main job was to make sure the fans had fun. Also, during office hours, I’d help send mailings to the target markets of our “theme games” we had; for example, Hawaiian night.
Lastly, my final summer as a college student, I worked for Marietta College with Dan May, the sports information director. This is where I got PR experience writing press releases and updating fall sport media guides.

Do you have a job set up? If so, where, with who, doing what?

I don’t have a job for sure lined up, but I have two second interviews at T.H. Executives and CAP Marketing, which are both Marketing firms for a Marketing Management position. My main focus is Columbus, Ohio, and there are tons of opportunities there; it’s just finding the time with school to explore them.

What help did you receive from the Career Center?

What help didn’t I get from the career center? I’ve been visiting the Career Center twice a year all four years I’ve been here. They’ve helped me do everything from write my resume to giving me perfect job search websites that are tailored to the exact job that I am looking for. Every time I changed my mind with what I wanted to do, they had plenty of websites and helpful information for me on hand.

What was the hardest part about finding a job/internship and obtaining it?

The hardest part is finding the first one and having the confidence that you can do it. After that, it’s simple. As a soon-to-be sophomore, I really had nothing to offer educationally to my first internship, but I had the potential and the personality to fit the job.

When I made my first sale call on my own and sold a contract, I realized it didn’t matter how old I was and that I was “not as educated” as others were; I had people skills, and that’s all I needed.

What advice would you give students who have no idea how to go about getting an internship or a job?

USE YOUR RESOURCES. If you know someone in high places, USE THEM. It’s okay to use people to help get your foot in the door, it’s not okay to use them to sail through the experience.

You might have got that internship because someone pulled for you, but you’re going to keep the internship and get another one following that because you proved you’re good at it.


• Campus News • Viewpoints • Sports • Arts & Living • Greek wrap-up • Ask Marc • Spotlight • New faces at MC • Meet our staff • Staff profiles • Letters to the editor policy • History of the newspaper • Benefits of advertising • Ad rates		Mar. 1 , 2007 The Marcolian also had the opportunity to speak to some MC students who have advice for other students looking for internships or jobs. Junior Allison LaRocca and Senior Dana Donchess sat down with the Marcolian to talk about their success with internships and offer their insight in the job search. Dana Donchess Year: Senior Major: AD/PR & Marketing Have you had an internship before? If so, where, with who, doing what? I started with internships after my freshman year of college, because with my major, experience is key to finding a job. I interned in the Retail Advertising department of the Vindicator, which is my hometown newspaper, the summer after my freshman year. My main job was to cover for the outside sales representatives who went on vacation that week, so my clients and territory changed weekly. I was responsible for all aspects of a sales representative while they were away, which included ad layouts, proofing ads, working with the creative department designing ads, and getting approval from the clients. My second summer, I worked for the same newspaper, but in the Classifieds department. At this time, the department was on strike, and there was only one full time and one part time representative to deal with every car dealership and realty company in Youngstown, Ohio. Since I had the previous experience, I got a lot of responsibility in this department. Here, I functioned as a full-time sales representative working with specific clients on a daily basis. I had the opportunity to actually build relationships with my clients because they weren’t changing weekly, and I got a lot of connections from those relationships. Here is where I found my third internship. We were hosting a golf outing, and the Youngstown Steelhounds Hockey Team staff was there. We made sure everything went smoothly for them, aka made sure they always had beer and were getting prizes. At the dinner later that day, they offered me a Marketing internship over Christmas break, because I had “marketed” myself to them so well that day. This internship was different than the others. My main priority as an intern was to make sure the games and promotions during the games went smoothly. I’d find contestants, set up for games, and pretty much deal with whatever problem came up during the games. Our main job was to make sure the fans had fun. Also, during office hours, I’d help send mailings to the target markets of our “theme games” we had; for example, Hawaiian night. Lastly, my final summer as a college student, I worked for Marietta College with Dan May, the sports information director. This is where I got PR experience writing press releases and updating fall sport media guides. Do you have a job set up? If so, where, with who, doing what? I don’t have a job for sure lined up, but I have two second interviews at T.H. Executives and CAP Marketing, which are both Marketing firms for a Marketing Management position. My main focus is Columbus, Ohio, and there are tons of opportunities there; it’s just finding the time with school to explore them. What help did you receive from the Career Center? What help didn’t I get from the career center? I’ve been visiting the Career Center twice a year all four years I’ve been here. They’ve helped me do everything from write my resume to giving me perfect job search websites that are tailored to the exact job that I am looking for. Every time I changed my mind with what I wanted to do, they had plenty of websites and helpful information for me on hand. What was the hardest part about finding a job/internship and obtaining it? The hardest part is finding the first one and having the confidence that you can do it. After that, it’s simple. As a soon-to-be sophomore, I really had nothing to offer educationally to my first internship, but I had the potential and the personality to fit the job. When I made my first sale call on my own and sold a contract, I realized it didn’t matter how old I was and that I was “not as educated” as others were; I had people skills, and that’s all I needed. What advice would you give students who have no idea how to go about getting an internship or a job? USE YOUR RESOURCES. If you know someone in high places, USE THEM. It’s okay to use people to help get your foot in the door, it’s not okay to use them to sail through the experience. You might have got that internship because someone pulled for you, but you’re going to keep the internship and get another one following that because you proved you’re good at it.
Mailing address: Marietta College Box A-20, Marietta, Ohio 45750-4000 Physical address: McKinney Media Center, 508 Putnam St, Marietta, Ohio Phone: (740) 376-4555 E-mail: marc@marietta.edu