Each summer, students from the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics gain valuable professional-level exposure through internships. This year, young scholars were able to traverse the complications of COVID-19 by pursuing an array of internships, externships and other professional development opportunities. Each profile of this series will detail a Lerner student’s experiences working remotely on business-oriented projects.
Carl Stewart, a Class of 2023 marketing and sport management double major, spent his summer taking enriching courses to expand upon his knowledge in leadership.
Q: What are you doing this summer to develop your readiness for your future career?
Stewart: Despite the disruptions to my summer internship and the postponement of the UD Tokyo Olympics study abroad program, I had a very busy and rewarding summer. I studied two UD online courses, Statistics 200 and Lead 101-Global Contexts for Leadership. I also studied a history course for a UD breadth elective at my local college because I enjoy U.S. history and even considered a secondary education teaching career in history.
Q: How did the coronavirus response impact your summer plans?
Stewart: I had an amazing internship set up with the Philadelphia Phillies that used my two Lerner degrees: sport management and marketing. Unfortunately, the internship was suspended due to the abbreviated MLB season. However, I completed my employee training and am ready to go for the 2021 baseball season!
Q: What did you learn through this experience that you don’t think you would have learned anywhere else?
Stewart: Working with the editor and committee of “Arak Journal” selection was an amazing and unique opportunity to see how the process of writing can lead to personal discovery. The experience strengthened my research and rhetorical skills that I will use in the future.
Q: What is an example of a time you were able to apply something you learned at Lerner to your efforts?
Stewart: Through Lerner and the UD Delaware Diplomats program, I learned much about leadership and cultural diversity. I was able to apply these skills to my LEAD 101 global leadership course, and I look forward to applying them to my internships, study abroad experiences and future career.
Q: What have you been doing this summer outside of professional development, just for you?
Stewart: The coronavirus abruptly shut down our campus community, leaving many activities unfinished and friends suddenly separated. I enjoyed reconnecting with my UD and high school friends when restrictions were lifted. Working and studying from home gave me more time to spend with my family and to enjoy our new Siberian Husky puppy. I explored some interesting outdoor sites by hiking and biking in state parks and along nature trails and the Jersey Shore.