Intern of the Week: Clair Volkening for English!

Mon, 18 Oct 2021 08:44:40 -0400
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Name: Clair Volkening

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site: Baltimore Museum of Industry

Position Title: Editorial Intern

Major or Program: English BA Communications and Technology Track

Current Class Level: Junior

Work Term: Summer 2021

Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities.

I wrote blog posts for the museum's "From Point to Point" blog, which is part of a larger project the museum is working on called the Bethlehem Steel Legacy Project. I researched the history of the old steel mill at Sparrows Point in Baltimore, interviewed sources, and published the posts I wrote to the blog.

Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?

I heard about the internship from the English department's internship coordinator, Professor Deborah Rudacille. She sent the opportunity my way and I submitted a cover letter and resume to the museum around March.

What have you enjoyed the most about your position or organization?

The flexibility of the work and the joy that everyone who works at the museum exudes. This summer helped open my eyes to what is possible for me after college and gave me a glimpse into what doing what you love can look like.

How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?

The steel mill (Bethlehem Steel) at Sparrows Point is something that I don't think a lot of people outside of Baltimore know about. However, this steel mill was the largest mill in the world for a time and affected so many people in the Baltimore area. By writing about the steel mill I hope that I provide a way for others to learn about the company and its impacts.

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?

Just keep looking around and putting yourself out there.

Please provide a short reflection or quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / working with the Career Center.

I liked getting a taste of what life could look like after I graduate. For me, life post graduation has always looked like a hazy gray area. After finishing this internship the haze has started to become a little bit more defined.

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Want to be the next Intern of the Week? Make sure to fill out this form and stay tuned. New interns are announced every Monday!