Ali Bradley is one of several talented students featured in a series of E-Net profiles on the recent experiences of students and alumni who work alongside professionals in the Student Professional Development Center.
Beyond spending time working with career advisors in ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s Student Professional Development Center, Ali Bradley, a strategic communication major from Acton, Massachusetts, prepared for her interview with Raytheon, a global aerospace and defense company,ÌýusingÌýresources offered on the SPDC website.Ìý​
Bradley is one of several talented students featured in a series of E-net profiles on the recent experiences of students and alumni who work alongside professionals in theÌýÌýto explore career interests, find job and internship opportunities, prepare for interviews, develop graduate school application materials, and more.
Bradley recently answered questions from the SPDC about her experience.
Who did you work with and what help did you receive from the Student Professional Development Center?
I worked with AmberÌýMoser, assistant director of career services in the School of Communications,Ìýand Rachael Rysz, assistant director of career services for ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ College, the College of Arts and Sciences,Ìýduring the process of applying and interviewing for internships, and with the guidance of KimÌýGiles, SPDC communications manager.ÌýI worked on my resume, etiquette, and interviewing skills, and went into each interview with confidence.ÌýI alsoÌýprepared for my interview usingÌý, one of the online resources offered on the SPDC website,Ìýand it was a HUGE help. IÌýlearnedÌýabout various industries, different types of interview questions,Ìýand howÌýtoÌýset myselfÌýapart in an interview.ÌýÌý
How and when did your interest in the organizationÌýdevelop?
IÌýlearned about RaytheonÌýfrom my sister’s best friend’s mother, whoÌýworked at the organization and said it was one of her favorite places to work. She suggested I look forÌýinternships there.
Through research, I discovered Raytheon, a global company, is aÌýpowerful, diverse, and innovative organization, and the opportunityÌýwould further my education and my passions.
Please tell me about the company and your role as an intern.
Raytheon is a global aerospace and defense company with six separate businesses. I served as a corporate affairs and communications summer Intern at its global headquarters in Waltham, Massachusetts.ÌýFor a company with thousands of employees, I was honored to be granted so manyÌýopportunities as anÌýintern. I assisted on various research projects, sat in on interviews, meetings and phone calls, and gainedÌýhands-on experience. I was immersed in the company culture and learnedÌýabout functions outside of my own. I traveled to two business headquarters, the PR agency, and an office in Washington, D.C. I met with theÌýVice President of CommunicationsÌýPam WickhamÌýand CEO Tom Kennedy. I was encouragedÌýto give back to the community, as is an expectation and ritual of all employees. Raytheon truly exemplifies leading by example, and I am so grateful for my time there.
What have you learned from the experience?
IÌýlearned about itsÌýcompanies and how corporate overseers function. I knowÌýwhat a global presence really means, and how in-house communications vary from agency to agency. I worked in corporate communications functions such asÌýpublic relations,Ìýexecutive communications, public affairs, business development, digital and social media, employee engagement, corporate social responsibility, attended meetings, events, and trade shows.Ìý
My internship there was an eye-opening experience.ÌýMy two biggest takeaways includeÌýcorporate etiquette and how communications functionÌýin-house.ÌýThere are roadblocks that come with anÌýinternal setting. WithÌýa global organization and government agency, there are more steps,Ìýlarger teams,Ìýmore rules, regulations,Ìýand policies to learn,Ìýand larger campaigns.
What recommendations would you like to share with other students about the Student Professional Development Center?
My number one recommendation is to take the time to go through the SPDC website. There are a plethora of online resources andÌýservices available to ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ students. Use them!