Student Danielle Hyatt talks about her internship with Penn Mutual and how it led to her job at IBM, thanks in part to Adelphi's Internship and Mentorship Program.
My experience at Adelphi has been extraordinary. This university has given me access to lifelong friends, a network of fantastic businessmen and women, and a chain of unforgettable memories. Adelphi has also granted me the opportunity to build my very own solid link within the business world. My passion for marketing was nothing new when I started at Adelphi. At 13 years old, I assisted a local real estate office in my hometown with their digital and print marketing. Working for an individual whom I now consider to be family, I continue to manage all digital and print marketing for his office to this day. During my sophomore year at Adelphi, I decided to expand beyond the local office.
Through the aid of Professor Halloran, I landed a marketing internship at the Penn Mutual Life Planning Group. I had no idea I’d be working as an Associate there up until I graduated. After my first few months, I felt I needed a challenge that would transcend the bounds of marketing. When my boss offered me the chance to learn more about the finance and insurance industry, I didn’t hesitate to accept. I must admit, however, that I hadn’t thought about what the process truly entailed. The following four months were filled with more books, index cards, tears, coffee, and studying than I had ever undergone for any college class. After three hours of sitting for the exam in a musty cubicle with a camera monitoring my every move, I had reached the ‘Submit’ button on the bottom of the page. Subsequently, a small box popped up onto the computer screen with good news, and I smiled for what felt like the first time in those four months. Having had no background in insurance prior to this internship, I had passed. This achievement alone motivated me to explore what else I could do.
Besides managing social media campaigns, event planning, recruiting activities, and creating and designing the Life Planning Group Agency Newsletter, I knew I had more still to contribute. When news hit of a video contest across all offices and branches nationwide, I couldn’t resist taking initiative. Together with my coworkers, I directed and edited “A Day in the Life of a Penn Mutual Intern.” Though I felt more confident hitting the ‘Submit’ button this time around, I had no idea that our video would win first place within the entire organization.
Currently, as I sit at my desk in my full-time position at IBM as a digital consultant, I’m working on a project to better the lives of veterans by assisting them through their transition back to civilian life. Through a series of interviews with multiple veterans, I aim to provide them with both a louder voice, as well as better opportunities once they return home from their services.
Overall, my internship experiences have taught me that there are no limits to my personal success. I have proven to myself that pushing the boundaries and stepping outside my comfort zone has only helped me and got me to where I am today. There will always be a new skill I can and will learn, some new contest to win, collaboration with coworkers, and most importantly a constant motivation to achieve more. Ultimately, Adelphi has enabled me to develop a sense of confidence in the business world that otherwise would have remained untapped, and for that, I am forever grateful.