Intern Profile: Robert Knapp

I felt that interning in the SNC Admission Office would help prepare me for what working in the business world would be like, while also helping me develop valuable skills that I could use in future employment settings.  As the online communication intern, one of my main responsibilities is to check the e-mail account everyday.  I am in charge of any online communication that takes place between the office and potential/future students of the college.  I am also helping to construct a new virtual tour for the college, where I coordinate the student bloggers for the office website.  Another task is to create and develop new online programs, which the Admissions Office can use to contact, or help stay in contact with, future or potential students.

The most important skill I have gained from this internship is professionalism. The jump between the classroom and the business world is a bigger one then most people think. Being professional in the business world is something that most students do not learn the importance of while in school. The two other skills that I have gained from this internship are the enhanced importance of creativity and writing. Whether it be an official message from the Admissions Office to a student, or just an informal e-mail to a student, writing skills are critical.  Creativity is also important in what I do because we are always trying to come up with new ideas to use in the online world to encourage high school students to attend St. Norbert College.
 
My advice to students looking for internships is to do as many different kinds of internships as possible, which will help you to explore what profession you might like to do for a living. 
 
My final word of advice is to talk to as many people as possible. It is all about connections in this world. Every single internship or job that I have ever had was through talking to some person who referred me to another person they knew was offering an internship.  I believe that making connections with people is the most important thing that a person can do to help them get an internship or a future job.