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Meet the Interns

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By: Skyler Fleisher

Last Wednesday our meeting focussed on professional development. Eric Minor facilitated an internship panel with Emily Zekonis, Mckenzie Hall, and  David Martinelli. The panel offered valuable insights on how they got to where they are today and what resources, classes, and opportunities current students can take advantage of while at West Virginia University.

Emily Zekonis

Emily Zekonis

Emily Zekonis is a strategic communications major with an area of emphasis in public relations and a minor in medical humanities and health.  She is currently set to graduate in May 2019 and has been accepted to the MS in IMC at WVU to continue her education. During her graduate studies, she will serve as the events and marketing graduate student for the WVU IMC and DMIC departments.  She is currently the treasurer of WVU PRSSA and serves as a regional ambassador for the society managing chapters in West Virginia, Rhode Island, New Jersey, North Carolina and South Carolina. She has completed internships at Gift of Life Donor Program, WVU/Health Sciences Campus and was a summer 2018 fellow at Ketchum PR headquarters in New York City.  During her fellowship, she served the health team working on clients ranging from Clinical Practices to pharmaceuticals and medical devices. She looks forward to a little more time at WVU and furthering her education as she gains more industry experience in the coming years.

Mckenzie Hall

Mckenzie Hall

Mckenzie Hall is a 2018 graduate of the Reed College of Media, with a focus on digital communications.  She interned with State Farm in the summer of 2018 in external public affairs. Mckenzie is headed to Oklahoma State University to start her career in digital communications in the Undergraduate Admissions Office at OSU as a social media coordinator/communications specialist.  She found her passions for digital communication when she served as the digital engagements chair for PRSSA.

David Martinelli

David Martinelli

David Martinelli is a senior strategic communications major emphasizing in public relations with a minor in music industry.  Within media he specializes in videography and strategic social media. He is from right here in Morgantown, WV and has had a variety of internship experience in his field with companies including: InnerAction Media, Impakt Marketing, and FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes).  In his spare time he enjoys making coffee, playing guitar and piano, reading, and spending time with friends. 

Eric Minor

Eric Minor (facilitator)

Eric Minor is an award-winning TV anchor and multimedia journalist with over 18 years of broadcast experience.  He is the Reed College’s Director of Student Careers and Opportunities and oversees the college’s internship and practicum programs.

How did you find your internship?

  • Emily found her internship with Ketchum through PRSSA.  While the internship she applied for was technically for upperclassmen, she went out of her comfort zone and asked them for a consideration.  At first, she felt under qualified because her fellow interns had these lengthy resumes, but she relied on her past experiences in her course work at the Reed College to stand out.  After realizing that she deserved to be there Emily even admitted: 

    “I felt more prepared than some of the other interns.  As much as you put into your education here at the Reed College, will show in your work ethic and skill set.”

  • Mckenzie admitted that she initially applied for her State Farm internship junior year and when she didn’t get it, she did't give up. Mckenzie tried again the following year and it paid off. 

    "You can’t give up if you don’t get something at first, you have to earn your spot and that’s exactly what I did."  

    Mckenzie also said that students should check LinkedIn and company websites for new hiring positions. 

  • For David, it was all about networking.  He explained that:

    “Through my connections at the WVU Reed College, I was able to get in contact with higher personnel to get an interview.”  

  • Eric Minor chimed in to add:

    “The common thread through all of their success is their connections and ability to network.  Whether it's through family, PRSSA, professors or faculty -- don’t be afraid to start the process in a familiar place.”  

What tips do you have for students looking for internships?

  • Emily discussed how reaching out to people you already know is a great place to start. For her, it really helped to have a list of people in her back pocket that she could reach out to when she needed help -- reference letters, future jobs, etc.  

  • After working in Illinois at the State Farm headquarters over the summer, Mckenzie says:

    “If you get the opportunity to pick up and move halfway across the country, take it!  You’ll learn a lot about yourself and what you are capable of. It’s also a nice glimpse into what adulthood is like.”

    In her post graduation job search, she added that having a spreadsheet of everywhere you applied with the contact information, deadlines, who you spoke to, etc. This helped her to stay organized and informed.  

  • David emphasized having a set schedule and laying out long term projects. This was very beneficial when he started his internship.  He  schedules his classes around shoots and the responsibilities of his job. David also learned a lot from his mentors and other students to help him figure out how to balance everything. 

If you don’t have a lot of professional experience what other experiences should you focus on in an application/interview?

  • While Emily was only a sophomore when she applied for Ketchum, she really thought that her presentations, ability to pitch ideas, passions, leadership experience, communication skills and confidence in herself were what made her shine.  

    “Every experience I’ve had, has helped me get to where I am today.  Take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves. Spend a semester saying yes to everything.”

  • Mckenzie’s experiences were similar to Emily’s. She highlighted that her social media expertise through PRSSA stood out because she understood a lot about data analytics and social media strategy. 

  • David’s skill set included how to convey information in an entertaining fashion, effective story telling, and captivating an audience.