We had the opportunity to interview a Florida State alumni, Bianca Rodriguez, in early July regarding her past experience with internships and within FSU’s English program. Bianca graduated from FSU in 2018 with a major/minor in Editing, Writing and Media and Communications. Since graduating, Bianca has established herself in New York City, working as a media analyst for a media buying agency in Manhattan.
Bianca’s English degree has helped to propel her into a vast world of opportunity. “My English degree quite literally has helped me in every interview I’ve ever been in,” she said. While at FSU, Bianca gained her experience in writing for platforms such as HerCampus, Swatch Magazine, and Clutch Magazine. “I learned how to write/speak to different audiences,” she explained. “That has allowed me to adapt quickly in situations and taught me how to keep conversations going with ease.”
Her work now has especially benefited from her degree, as it requires plenty of communication on her end such as emailing, creating data analysis sheets, and practicing daily communication with clients. “We work with clients on securing and airing their commercials on the radio, tv, cable, print, and digital platforms,” Bianca said, outlining the responsibilities of her job. “I work closely with clients like Corona, Sea World, and more. I help the media buyers with analytical data in order for them to secure the best spots for our clients.”
Before securing her present job, Bianca sought out three different internships. She worked for Bohindie Stream, a bohemian jewelry brand founded by an FSU Alum, Divas and Devils House of Style in Tallahassee as a Street Style/Blogger Intern, and in New York City with Avenue Magazine and Akris for New York Fashion Week. Her interning experience provided her with the knowledge she needed to succeed in her field. “My internships have helped me network. Networking will get you so far, especially in a big city like New York,” she said. When asked about the importance of internships in a student’s life, Bianca emphasized that internships are key. “Having loads of experience after you graduate opens up a lot of doors and makes you that much more valuable,” she said.
Some valuable advice that she offered to current students embarking on their internship hunt is to use available resources such as LinkedIn and Google and search for your dream job. “Google someone in a profession you would love to have some day,” she encouraged. “Never be afraid to reach out. Shoot them an email or message on LinkedIn and ask to grab coffee — or a virtual coffee, as it is 2020.” She went on to say that being a Seminole gives a great advantage. “Tons of FSU Alum have amazing careers now. There’s your talking point!”
Below are the interview questions that Bianca answered for me!
Bianca Rodriguez, 24, 2018, Major in Editing, Writing, and Media and a Minor in Communication
1. Since graduating FSU, how has your major in English helped you find jobs that you are interested in?
Since graduating FSU, my English degree quite literally has helped me in every interview I’ve ever been in. During my years at FSU, I wrote for HerCampus FSU, Swatch Magazine, and Clutch Magazine. I learned how to write/speak to different audiences. That has allowed me to adapt quickly in situations and taught me how to keep conversations going with ease.
2. What internship(s) did you have in college?
During college I interned with Bohindie Stream, a bohemian jewelry brand founded by an FSU Alum, Divas and Devils House of Style in Tallahassee as a Street Style/Blogger Intern. I also interned in New York City with Avenue Magazine and Akris for New York Fashion Week.
3. How have those internship(s) helped you in the career field?
My internships have helped me network. Networking will get you so far, especially in a big city like NYC.
4. If you are currently working, what is your job now? What kind of work is it that you do?
I currently work as a Media Analyst for a media buying agency in Manhattan. We work with clients on securing and airing their commercials on the radio, tv, cable, print, and digital platforms. I work closely with clients like Corona, Sea World, and more. I help the media buyers with analytical data in order for them to secure the best spots for our clients.
5. How does that work pertain to your major?
My work pertains with my major because a huge part of my job is communicating. - emailing, creating data analysis sheets, and daily communication with clients.
6. What did you learn from your major that has benefited you in your current position?
What has benefited me the most is my communication skills. Writing 10 page papers every week really gets the mind used to thinking on its toes and creating seamless and enjoyable content and writing, which has formed my thought process and how I communicate.
7. What kind of advice would you give to current students in the midst of a job/internship hunt?
My advice would be to use LinkedIn and Google and search for your dream job. Google someone in a profession you would love to have someday. (It’s ok to be a little stalker-ish) Never be afraid to reach out. Shoot them an email or message on LinkedIn and ask to grab a coffee (or a virtual coffee, it is 2020). People love talking about themselves and giving advice to those who admire them. Being a Seminole is your advantage! Tons of FSU Alum have amazing careers now. There’s your talking point!
8. To a prospective college student, would you recommend the English major? Why or why not?
I would absolutely recommend the English Major for prospective college students. The classes and duties build amazing communicators which ensures you qualify for an abundance of job opportunities.
9. What is one memorable thing you learned while working your internship(s)?
The most memorable thing I learned from interning is research, research, research. Research everything and anything because knowledge is power!
10. How important would you say internships are in jumpstarting a student’s career?
If I haven’t already said it enough, internships are key! Having loads of experience after you graduate opens up a lot of doors and makes you that much more valuable.
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