History Major Interns for Morgan Contemporary Glass Gallery Student Profile
Photos by Nick Koehler, junior photojournalism major
Meet Alyssa Waldron
- Job Title & Employer
- Gallery Intern, Morgan Contemporary Glass Gallery
- Major/Program
- History
- Minor
- Cinema Studies
- Graduation
- April 2019
- Hometown
- Harrison City, Pa.
- High School
- Penn-Trafford High School
- Now Living In
- Pittsburgh, Pa.
- Dream Job
- A film writer/historian. It would be amazing to travel and learn the ins and outs of international film industries and their histories.
- Hobbies & Interests
- Photography, writing and filmmaking
"Alyssa came to her interview with great experience under her belt, but also with a real drive to learn. I knew that her skills and experience lent her to the position, but also that this position would teach her a lot and help drive her educational and career trajectory. Point Park University has prepared Alyssa by offering her the opportunity to take a variety of classes and change her educational path as her desires and interests evolve. Facilitating an environment where she can discover her passions in life and giving her access to resources, such as internships, and then validating her choices by giving her support, such as her educational credit, is a great way to start students on their path to a successful career."
"The faculty in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences have truly made all the difference. Learning material is one thing, but having it presented to you in an engaging manner is what really solidifies it in your brain. My advisors and professors have always been ready and willing to assist in any way they can. Having an experienced group of educators as a support system is on the same level of importance as the material itself."
"Alyssa is a dedicated student who has successfully combined her interests in film and history. Her focus on material culture and cultural history and her attention to detail in the classroom have set her up to prosper in her chosen career field." — Jehnie Burns, Ph.D., associate professor of history, Point Park University
How did you land an internship with Morgan Contemporary Glass Gallery?
I came across this internship while searching on Indeed.com, and immediately thought that it contained all the skills and characteristics to gain practical knowledge and enhance my history major courses. Thankfully, Amy Morgan, owner of Morgan Contemporary Glass Gallery, also thought so and I was offered the position two days after my interview.
Tell us about the work you do.
I recently assisted the gallery with the opening of its show titled Structure of Memory. Since September, I have been learning the process of contacting artists, seeking out artwork, creating PR and physically installing pieces in preparation for the show’s opening. This was my introduction to the daily function of a gallery and has always been something I wanted to learn more about.
I’ve been more than excited to learn about the hands-on process of installation. I should also note that I knew little to nothing about the studio glass movement when I applied, so it’s a great opportunity to learn something completely out of my comfort zone. As a lover of arts and one who practices my own, it’s captivating to be introduced to a completely new medium and all of its intricacies, become familiar with the current working artists in the field and it's a great way to keep myself up to date on current art events in and around Pittsburgh.
How have our faculty in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences impacted you?
The faculty in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences have truly made all the difference. Learning material is one thing, but having it presented to you in an engaging manner is what really solidifies it in your brain. My advisors and professors have always been ready and willing to assist in any way they can. Having an experienced group of educators as a support system is on the same level of importance as the material itself.
What are your career goals?
I plan to continue on to grad school to study museum and film studies; film studies is a very niche field, so I believe that obtaining my master's degree in the subject would be helpful in narrowing down my career options and providing me with a unique set of skills in analyzing the historical and cultural context of film. I am open to positions in journalism, academia, gallery work and more — anything that allows me to keep learning. Eventually, I might want to open a gallery of my own, one that specializes in art and film.