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.
Julia Moch, a Class of 2021 operations management and international business studies double major with a minor in Spanish, spent her summer as a student videographer and photographer on the Lerner College Communications Team.
Q: How did you find out about and choose this internship?
Moch: I found this internship through Handshake. It was the perfect way to combine my creative skills in photography into the world of business.
Q: How did the coronavirus response impact your internship search and working experience?
Moch: COVID-19 fundamentally changed what we take pictures of and our strategy in doing so, especially with portrait photography. Major decisions for photographers today include whether to take photos of subjects with or without masks and how to continue taking “group” photos while complying with CDC guidelines. However, I am confident this will only allow new creative opportunities for different photo themes or portfolios in the future.
Q: What did you learn through this internship that you don’t think you would have learned anywhere else?
Moch: I believe Lerner Communications dismantled all doubts I had in my ability to work efficiently online. Coming into the summer, many of my previous opportunities were canceled due to their lack of planning and ability to imagine transitioning to an online platform. Thankfully, Lerner was able to provide the perfect environment to adjust to the working world virtually. I am now assured I will be comfortable mainly online in my future career if necessary.
Q: What is the most exciting project or task that you have undertaken in your role?
Moch: My favorite project thus far involved one of our most recent posts on Instagram with the ice cream cone in front of Lerner. While it was a great way to highlight enjoying a cold treat on campus, it was quite an adventure getting ice cream from Main Street to Amstel Avenue on a 90-degree day. Overall, I am glad my team and I were able to brainstorm and bring this image to life; it will be always one to remember.
Q: What is an example of a time you were able to apply something you learned at Lerner to your role?
Moch: One of my recent projects has been helping the communications team update their contacts with major online publications focused on business education, including US News and Poets&Quants. I have had previous experience with updating directories and queries in classes such as MISY160, therefore I was easily able to find the necessary information and organize it effectively with various Microsoft Office programs.
Q: How do you think this internship will help you with your professional goals?
Moch: This internship has fortified my ability to think outside the box. This applies not only to the way I virtually communicated with my team but the content I was able to create for Lerner. I believe the fall will only bring new opportunities and projects with our adapted learning structure. We have a lot in store for you, Blue Hens!
Q: What are your plans or next steps in your career once this internship is over?
Moch: After this internship, I plan to concentrate my career in project management or supply chain in a creative setting. This includes industries such as fashion, art or even non-profit.