Caitlin Neal’s Media Internship Shapes Career Path & Insights
Caitlin Neal, a graduate student majoring in mass communication in the Hubbard School of Journalism & Mass Communication, has gained invaluable experience during her 10-week internship at American Public Media Group in St. Paul. As she approaches her expected graduation, Neal reflects on the skills she developed and the insights she gained from working in a fast-paced media environment.
What were your top three job responsibilities?
My top three responsibilities were:
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Contributing to data-driven decision-making by designing, conducting, and analyzing market research projects.
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Distilling insights from qualitative surveys and digital analytics for internal teams, providing clear recommendations.
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Deepening platform proficiency through hands-on data analysis.
How did you find your internship? Do you have any tips for others seeking similar opportunities?
I used a combination of job search platforms and networking, but I found that networking was most impactful.
I wish I’d known that if I find myself feeling frustrated or stuck searching on job boards, [I should] close the laptop, step outside, and come back later or the next day with a clear head. For anyone searching, my advice is to think quality over quantity when it comes to your job search efforts.
What are your top takeaways from your internship experience? How has it helped inform your future plans?
Through my internship, I learned that it isn’t uncommon for organizations to value work experience above your level of education, so it’s important to advocate for the value you provide as someone with a master’s or PhD. I found it particularly helpful to frame my education as relevant work experience—it's not a this-or-that.
Another major benefit of this internship program is the confidence and skills developed throughout the CLA 2024 Graduate Student Internship group sessions. Learning from my peers and developing career prep skills together as a group was an invaluable experience.
This story was edited by Regina Ramos-Francia Ylizaliturri, an undergraduate student in CLA.
