Communication skills are in demand in just about every line of work including local government. Senior Communication Studies Major Amanda Gubbins found out just how much she could contribute as she spent 11 weeks interning in the marketing department of Marion, Indiana’s City Hall. She had a variety of experiences and says she really came to feel like part of the team. She used her writing skills nearly every day creating press releases, some of which appeared in the local newspaper, the Chronicle-Tribune. She also helped maintain and update the city’s news web and Facebook pages, writing profiles about many of the city employees.
A big part of the job was helping plan and promote several big events, including the Marion Classic Criterium, a nationally known annual bicycle race. She learned many facets of event planning, including working with committees with multiple agendas and stories to tell.
Gubbins says her favorite part of the job was building relationships with so many different people.” I had a first hand look at how the staff collaborates to create the best community possible for the people of Marion. I also embraced that vision and felt privileged to be a part of a few of the great things happening in the community,” she said.
