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Career-Ready: Internships, Co-ops Provide Real-World Experience 

At Point Park University, internship, co-op and career opportunities are right at your doorstep. You'll be in the perfect spot to pursue a wide range of opportunities. Our Professional Career-Readiness Center is always ready to help you — both before and after you graduate — with internship and job searches, resumes, cover letters and interviewing skills.

Below, meet School of Communication undergraduate and graduate students who have landed an internship or co-op in their field. These students describe how their internship or co-op provides them real-world experience and is helping them to reach their career goals. 

Pictured is Marlee PinchokMarlee Pinchok

Co-op: Reporter, WSAZ-TV
Major: Broadcast Reporting

"I have always had a goal to begin my career before I graduate college, and I was able to accomplish that through Point Park University’s co-op program."

 

Pictured is co-op student Dara Collins. Photo | Hannah JohnstonDara Collins

Co-op: Marketing, PJ Dick
Major: Journalism

"I learned so much about Adobe Creative Cloud, and I can work with InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop better than ever before. I spent most of my time creating social media graphics for events, holidays, employees, email blasts, etc. I also shot video on job sites, which was probably my favorite part of the experience."

Justin Stewart
Pictured is Justin Stewart. Photo | Natalie Caine

B.A. in journalim
Media Intern, The Incline

"I had the chance to attend Point Park's High School Journalism Workshop and I really liked the campus and how intimate it felt. Plus, it’s in a good spot in Downtown Pittsburgh to easily walk to different locations."

Genesis Harshell
Pictured is Genesis Harshell.

B.F.A. in graphic + interactive design
Intern, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

"I love that I get to work on something different every day. I may prepare a wedding blog and work on social media posts about finding Bigfoot in our Garden Railroad one day, while another I get to actually walk around the Conservatory and take behind-the-scenes photos of our Winter Flower Show install for our Instagram story."

Nick Konopka
Pictured is Nick Konopka.

B.A. in broadcasting
Intern, Meet the Press

"The size of Point Park makes it easy to get experience right out of the gate. We are not so big that professors and organizations feel too out of reach. So, you can not only form valuable relationships with professors, but also dive head first into whatever you are interested in."

Ashley DaughertyPictured is Ashley Daugherty. Photo | Natalie Caine

B.F.A. in graphic + interactive design
Intern, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

"At my internship, I wrote and illustrated an interactive children’s book titled Larry the Lock to help bridge the gap on river navigation education."

Erin YudtPictured is Erin Yudt.

B.A. in journalism
Intern, The Herald

"What makes Point Park's journalism program distinctive from other universities is a focus on real-world experiences, personable faculty and staff and diverse class options."

Zoey AngelucciPictured is Zoey Angelucci.

B.A. in journalism
Intern, Koppers

"Because of the University's location and connections in Downtown Pittsburgh, I've gained real-world experience working for Koppers, Allegheny Conference on Community Development, The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Incline."

Grace BalzerPictured is Grace Balzer.

B.A. in journalism
Intern, Penguins Radio Network

"The journalism program at Point Park is one of the top programs around. Students gain hands-on experience outside of the classroom, which is much more beneficial than sitting in a classroom for four years."

Gianna DiPaoloPictured is Gianna DiPaolo.

B.A. in PR and advertising
Social Media and Content Intern, Fresh Nostalgia

"They don’t treat this like a typical college at Point Park, but rather encourage you to think outside of the box and learn from real-world situations and experiences. My professors, like Camille Downing and Jenna LoCastro, have pushed me to do my best and encouraged me to learn more about the industry in a way that makes sense to me."

Alysse BaerPictured is Alysse Baer.

B.A. in Graphic and Interactive Design
Digital Design Intern, Responsival

"I wanted to go to school in the Pittsburgh area, and after looking at surrounding schools, I decided that Point Park would be the university for me. It was one of the only schools in the area with a program solely focused on graphic design."

Kelsee McHughkelseemchugh275-copy.jpg

B.A. in Multimedia
PR & Advertising Minor
Digital Media Intern, Schneider's Dairy

"I’d recommend Point Park’s multimedia program because of the countless opportunities accessible to you, the professionalism of the program and the caring faculty that ensures you are on the pathway to success."

Camryn DrabenstadtPictured is Camryn Drabenstadt.

B.F.A. in Photography
Graphic Design Minor
Student Scholar, Silver Eye Center for Photography

"I’ve met so many talented, creative people in my time here, and the relationships I’ve made at my internships and in my program have helped me gain so many new skills, refine my work and projects and reach my goals. I am forever grateful."

Taylor Spirito Pictured is Taylor Spirito. Submitted photo.

Broadcast reporting major
Media Relations Intern, Pittsburgh Penguins

"My internship was all about handling the media to ensure they had the proper resources to do their jobs ... It feels like I had a networking opportunity everywhere I turned! My job led to me constantly being surrounded by professionals not just in the Penguins organization, but media from all over the country and beyond."

Mallory NeilPictured is Mallory Neil. Photo | Emma Federkeil

Photography major
Photography Intern, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

"I chose Point Park when I found out about all of the opportunities students were getting, and not just juniors and seniors, but freshmen and sophomores, too! When I toured, they told me if I wanted the opportunities to go after them. This was really encouraging to me as a senior in high school and I really felt like Point Park wanted the best for me."

Nicole FuschinoPictured is Nicole Fuschino. Submitted photo

Broadcast Reporting major
Intern, NBC's TODAY Show

"My internship at the TODAY Show was a dream come true ... Without taking advantage of the opportunities Pittsburgh and Point Park had to offer, I am confident that I would have never been able to intern at TODAY."

Kayla SnyderPictured is Kayla Snyder. Photo | Nick Koehler

PR & Advertising major
New Product Marketing Intern, Beyond Spots & Dots

"The urban location makes it so easy to secure multiple internships. Without the proximity to so many companies, I would never have been able to secure five internships in my time here. If you want to know the ins-and-outs of a textbook, choose a different school. If you want to know real-world knowledge that's applicable in internships and jobs, choose Point Park. You won't regret it."