A Marketing, Information Technology & Systems, and History Triple Major
Monarch Internship Studio
Reflection
This is the reflection of my internship as a Humanities Data Intern at Old Dominion University over the last 5 months. Reflection requirements regarding my resume and professional goals can be found on previous pages of my e-portfolio.
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This internship was supported by the Mellon Foundation.
Internship Overview
JULY-AUGUST
During my internship as a Humanities Data Intern, my role involved organizing data, attending design thinking sessions, creating a survey for INNOVATE session participants, analyzing survey results, and sorting and organizing session design pitches. I worked closely with Dr. Zanoni, Dr. Thompson, and Dr. Nwandu-Vincent, collaborating on key projects such as developing the survey and building a data analysis workbook in Excel. These efforts provided valuable insights into both internship experiences and the effectiveness of the design thinking sessions. The internship process was well-structured with open communication, regular weekly or bi-weekly meetings, and a supportive environment that offered good feedback without micromanaging.
Work-Based Learning Projects
One of the primary projects I worked on during my internship was creating a survey for the INNOVATE design thinking sessions, covering both the summer and spring sessions. This survey, developed in Google Forms, consisted of demographic and experience-based questions. I began by identifying the goals of the sessions to shape the survey content effectively. After administering the survey, I independently analyzed the responses, searching for key correlations, takeaways, and ideas. Although I completed the project on my own, I received valuable feedback from my mentors throughout the process. Through this experience, I gained new skills in Excel, data analysis, and survey design. These experiences deepened my understanding of data organization, further connecting to my academic training in the humanities, where attention to detail and critical analysis are essential. As this data is NDA-bound, it is not included in this reflection. Professionally, this project helped me refine my data-handling skills, which I think are increasingly relevant in both research and broader marketing industry applications.
Internship Reflection
Which disciplinary skills did you use?
I applied several disciplinary skills from the humanities, such as critical thinking, data organization, and the ability to identify patterns and correlations in information. Additionally, I used technical skills like data analysis in Excel, survey design using Google Forms, and research methodologies to gather and interpret qualitative and quantitative data.
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What advice would you offer future interns?
I would advise future interns to stay proactive and manage their time effectively, especially when working independently. It's important to ask for feedback, even if you're given a lot of freedom. Regular communication with mentors can help clarify objectives and improve your work. Also, embrace any learning opportunities that arise, particularly those involving new technical skills.
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How did this internship deepen your understanding of your field?
This internship deepened my understanding of how humanities research skills translate into practical work environments, particularly in data-driven contexts. I gained a clearer sense of how design thinking methodologies can be used in conjunction with human-centered data to improve processes and how insights from data can drive decision-making.
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What’s next for you professionally?
Professionally, I plan to further develop my skills in data analysis and project management. I’m interested in pursuing more opportunities that combine my humanities background with data-driven approaches, possibly in roles that involve research, working with business or historical institutions.
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Internship Overview
SEPTEMBER - NOVEMBER
During this internship, I spent more time focusing on writing, building upon the data analysis skills I developed during the summer. While my summer role involved primarily gathering and analyzing data, this time around, I took a deeper dive into writing and synthesizing the findings into a comprehensive white paper. As this was a continuation of my work, little onboarding and training was done beyond research into how to write a white paper. I worked closely with Dr. Zanoni and received valuable input from Dr. Thompson and Dr. Oge Nwandu-Vincent, which helped refine my work. The white paper, which addresses the challenges humanities students face when seeking internships, contributed to a five-year funded plan from the Mellon Foundation to improve access to internships for these students. This experience allowed me to strengthen my writing and analytical abilities, blending both to create a meaningful impact for future initiatives.
Work-Based Learning Projects
I worked on drafting a preliminary white paper that discussed findings from the spring and summer INNOVATE sessions, along with recommendations derived from those sessions. My role involved drafting various sections of the paper, incorporating my own past data analysis alongside other analyses to develop clear and actionable recommendations. I was also responsible for presenting our expenditures in a concise and organized manner. Through this project, I learned valuable lessons in collaboration and flexibility, as I had to work closely with my team to refine ideas and adjust to feedback. Additionally, I gained experience presenting to an audience, particularly my senior colleagues, which helped me build confidence in communicating complex ideas effectively.
Internship Reflection
CAREER EXPLORATION
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​​What networking opportunities or professional connections did you make during your internship? Why are these opportunities important?​
My mentors, Dr. Zanoni, Dr. Thompson, and Dr. Nwandu-Vincent, were valuable professional connections because they helped me think more carefully about my future and reassured me of my own abilities. Additionally, meeting people at the advisory board meeting gave me an appreciation for what goes on behind the scenes as a student and allowed me to build connections that could be useful down the road
What’s next for you professionally?
I will be graduating soon, and as I transition into the next phase of my career, I plan to focus on finding a job that leverages my skills in both writing and data analysis. My experience in data analysis, combined with my strong writing abilities, has given me the ability to effectively communicate complex information and present it in a clear, actionable format. I am particularly interested in roles that allow me to analyze data to inform decision-making, while also utilizing my writing skills to craft reports, content, or strategic recommendations. Whether in a marketing, research, or communications role, I am eager to apply my interdisciplinary skills and contribute to an organization that values both analytical thinking and effective communication.
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INTEGRATED LEARNING
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How might you apply the knowledge, skills, and abilities developed in your work-based learning experience in the future?
I’ve learned how to effectively communicate with my superiors, collaborate with peers, and accept feedback, all of which will be valuable as I move forward in my career.​
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Describe a project or task you've worked on that integrated knowledge or skills from multiple disciplines. How did your humanities background contribute to this project?
Writing the white paper was a project that integrated multiple disciplines. My background in history has been centered around researching a topic, analyzing data, and forming an argument or opinion in a paper. This process closely mirrors the work I did on the white paper, where instead of presenting an argument, I made recommendations based on the data. My history training prepared me well for this task, as it taught me how to approach complex topics, analyze information, and present it in a structured, compelling way.
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PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION
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How have your communication, analytical, or ethical reasoning skills benefited your internship organization?
My ability to analyze data and communicate my findings in a clear and concise manner was crucial for the white paper I worked on. Additionally, my ethical reasoning ensured that the data was handled responsibly, and my communication skills helped in presenting the work effectively to both my team and the advisory board.
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What does it mean to act as a professional in your field?
Acting professionally in my field means knowing when to speak and when to listen, being open to collaboration and feedback, and leveraging soft skills such as communication and time management. Additionally, it involves maintaining a semi-professional appearance (business casual, in my case) and representing the organization with integrity.
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