The impact of the Pearce Center: Learning and growth
The Visual Information Design internship at the Pearce Center continues to enhance students’ professional development at Clemson. The VID interns are key to the Pearce Center, as they work with a diverse group of clients, including the Pearce Center, the University, and a variety of nonprofits. Three VID interns, Ella Fales, Hailey Herzog and Emily Pautler, reflect on their experiences working at the Pearce Center, highlighting their appreciation for the program along with their numerous accomplishments and involvement.
Fales has been involved in various team projects, including the Southern Circuit and videography teams. Southern Circuit is an independent film based company that came to the Pearce Center seeking marketing materials for on-campus screenings, including TV displays, flyers and social media content. Alternatively, the videography team works one-on-one with the Pearce Center, spotlighting its programs and projects through a variety of marketing techniques.
“Because this program is client-based, interns are able to get familiar with scheduling client meetings, communication professionally, delegating tasks, leading teams and so much more,” Fales continued, “I truly believe that my time here as an intern will be highly beneficial in the long run, as I have learned how to use design programs that I will likely use in the future, but also because of the overall professional atmosphere this internship offers.”
From working on these projects in addition to others, Fales continues to develop new professional skills through her client interactions and responsibilities. Not only has she grown professionally, but the VID internship allowed her to meet a group of people who have impacted her life. Everyone she has worked with, including VID’s program director, Sarah Costley, Tiffany Messer-Bass, VID clients and each intern, has provided her with support, joy and like-minded friends.
Herzog is currently the team lead for the Pearce marketing team as well as an active member of the Tiger Scientifica team. Being a part of these projects has given her skills in building newsletters, advertising, tutoring and designing magazines. These experiences taught her valuable communication and problem-solving skills. Herzog acknowledges that problems can arise when working with clients, but working in a professional environment taught her how to effectively communicate with clients to create solutions. Additionally, Herzog learns from the other VID interns. Having the opportunity to work with other creative students allows her to gain inspiration and apply it into her own work.
“Learning from the other interns and applying that to the client work in order to create a meaningful and beautiful end product to support the client’s brand or project,” Herzog wrote when asked about what she views as the most rewarding part of being a VID intern.
However, the most influential person in Herzog’s time at the Pearce Center is Costley. From providing helpful feedback, advice on how to interact with clients and support, Costley has shaped Herzog’s positive experience as a VID intern through her mentorship.
Pautler is a valuable member of the Pearce marketing and Cultivate San Antonio teams. For the Pearce marketing team, Pautler gains experience with social media marketing through creating social media content for the Pearce Center’s social media outlets. Simultaneously, being a team member for the Cultivate San Antonio team gives her the opportunity to produce a bi-annuual magazine while creating social media content and designing websites.
Being a VID intern has taught Pautler important presentation and interpersonal skills, which will carry over into her professional career. Learning interpersonal skills has been a memorable part of Pautler’s VID internship experience and professional development because it’s taught her how to lead client meetings and create positive client-intern relationships. Most importantly, the VID internship provides Pautler with a group of girls who make the VID program special to her.
“All of the girls in the office have created a community where I am excited to come into work everyday. It is so rewarding to collaborate on projects and produce work that everyone is proud of. VID would not be the same without the people working here,” Pautler wrote.
Through the VID program, interns do not simply work on tasks and projects – they become leaders, professionals and support systems, which defines the goal of the Pearce Center’s student opportunities.
By: Sammy Sirover