Oct. 20, NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. - After
several years in college, Katelynn Simmons has managed to acquire three years of
internship experience, when most people are lucky to see a semesters worth.
Her internships thus far have included
work in editing, publishing and HR.
Her most memorable internship, however,
involved working in the school district of her hometown of Newark.
There,
she went to schools ranging from k through 12 and read and spoke to student
classes.
She continues to go back now as a
volunteer because she enjoys spending time with the kids, who remind her of the
endless possibilities that are out there.
The 22-year-old is a fifth year senior
double majoring in English and Journalism and Media Studies.
Simmons said she hopes to become a
technical writer one day and eventually work in a publishing house or magazine.
“I want to publish short stories and
novels when I’m older,” Simmons said.
Though she has had multiple internships
and has acquired valuable skills, she has had a hard time getting some
experience in technical writing.
“They all want you to have experience but
that is exactly what I am trying to get,” Simmons said.
Though none of Simmons internships focused
on technical writing, she has not allowed that setback to deter her mindset.
“…I
am grateful for the experiences I’ve had.” Simmons said.
Her experiences have helped mold her
professionally but academically Katelynn has expressed her frustrations.
When asked what her biggest regret might
be in her college career, she responded with one word: “Rutgers.”
Simmons had the opportunity to attend
Howard University, a historically black college, and wishes she had gone there.
“Rutgers is not what I expected,” Simmons said.
“It is diverse but it is not inclusive.”
Attending Howard could have helped Simmons
gain insight into her own culture, history, and possibly could have granted her
a more fulfilling college experience.
Up until now, Simmons has been an
introvert all of her life. She was bullied in elementary school and in result
did not perform as well as she would have liked.
“It started there,” Simmons said. “I wish
I did well in school at a young age so that I could have went to a private
school. Then maybe I wouldn’t have ended up at Rutgers.”
Though Simmons does not find Rutgers to be
inclusive, she hopes to reflect inclusivity in her writing one day.
Her goal may be to become a technical
writer, but she does enjoy the creative side to writing.
Simmons said her passions include poetry,
short stories and traveling abroad to immerse herself in other cultures.
In regards to books, her favorite genres are
SYFI and Fiction because both allow for creativity and imagination in their
storylines, which are not always welcomed in technical writing.
“It is an escape for me,” Simmons said,
“The books help build my imagination and they remind me not to take life so
seriously.”
After college, Katelynn plans to continue
at her current marketing internship and possibly receive full time employment
there.
Even though no internship opportunities for
technical writing have presented themselves, Katelynn has not given up hope and
is still following her dreams.
No comments:
Post a Comment