Name: Samantha Kar
Major & Minor: Advertising and Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Sociology
Internship Position & Site: Oregon 2022 Community Engagement & Experience Coordinator, City of Eugene
What was your internship title and organization, and what were your responsibilities?
My internship title was Oregon22 Community Engagement & Experience Coordinator, and the organization was the City of Eugene. In preparation for Eugene to be the Host City for the World Athletics (Track & Field) Championships Oregon22, I managed the social media for the Eugene Riverfront Festival, a free 10-day event that coincided with the Championships. Engaging with the community and visitors, I received the festival website inquiries as well. I was also involved with creating programming themes for the festival through an equity lens.
What attracted you to the LEI program?
Additional mentorship, professional experience, and community building attracted me to the LEI program. Plus, you’re able to apply for multiple internships all at once. Being comfortable in my COVID-19 shell and operating remotely, I was eager to interact with a new community and boost my confidence as an emerging professional. The opportunity to gain insight into the project manager role through my desired internship with the City of Eugene stood out as well. Internship & Program Experience:
What did you like about working with your supervisor and colleagues?
I feel so lucky to have worked with my amazing supervisor, Stephanie Scafa! From encouraging questions to maintaining strong communication and more, Steph was consistently supportive and motivating. The ease of connecting with staff across departments for informational interviews demonstrated a culture of learning. My experience with the City showed me how a cohesive and dynamic team promotes personal and organizational growth.
What was the project/campaign you led or contributed to that you are most proud of?
I am most proud of leading social media for the Eugene Riverfront Festival, which required planning, creativity, and management. Building relationships and interacting with people aligned with festival goals of celebrating community, culture, and connection. I took on this challenge of a project that could go in a bunch of directions, and I am thrilled with my growth of hard and soft skills.
How has this internship set you up for success? What knowledge and skills did you learn that you can use in other jobs?
I feel more prepared and confident going into future work opportunities. In my internship, I was able to build off of the skills I’ve learned in the School of Journalism & Communication to deliver authentic ways to engage the community. In other jobs, I’m looking forward to using improved skills of networking, personal leadership, and marketing (from running social media).
What potential career paths have the internship opened your mind to? Has your internship influenced your future goals/direction and if so, how?
Being involved with this once-in-a-lifetime event opened my mind to so many professional paths. I got insight into our local government, event production, event sustainability, and more. Communications can be applied to pretty much any organization! Working closely with the project manager of Oregon22 (Steph) helped shape my idea of project management and what it takes to be on top of things.
What advice would you give to students interested in the LEI program? What should they know before applying?
I would encourage interested students to apply to the LEI program if any of the available roles seem intriguing. No matter the internship, there will be tons of opportunities for growing as a future professional. Take any opportunity you get, and maximize all that you can learn! Before applying, students should recognize their commitments and be prepared to balance school and work.
Did participating in the LEI program impact your experience at UO? If so, how?
For sure! Meeting weekly with the LEI cohort provided a supportive space for deeper conversations and reflections on navigating school, work, and life in general as BIPOC individuals. I’m grateful for the connections made with Ruth, the LEI program leader, and the Career Center. In terms of my specific internship, I’ll definitely apply what I’ve watched and learned to my upcoming role as a project manager at Allen Hall Advertising, the student-run agency.