At Big IDEA Internship, SAEM Student Vicie Simpson '21 Works with Three Pittsburgh Agencies Student Profile
Meet Vicie Simpson '21
- Job Title & Employer
- Marketing, Communications and Advertising Intern, Garrison Hughes, Oyster Creates and Covalent
- Major/Program
- Sports, Arts & Entertainment Management
- Hometown
- Pittsburgh, Pa.; Woodland Hills High School
- Now Living In
- Pittsburgh, Pa.
- Dream Job
- Social media specialist/marketer or entrepreneur
- Hobbies & Interests
- Volleyball, music and spending time with friends and family
"The internship provided me with three different perspectives on marketing, communications and advertising. Obtaining that knowledge will undoubtedly help me have a stronger resume when looking for a job that requires those various skills."
Last summer, Vicie Simpson '21, a Sports, Arts and Entertainment Management major, landed the Big IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity and Equality in Advertising) internship, a program launched by Pittsburgh agencies Garrison Hughes, Oyster Creative Co. and Covalent. Simpson gained hands-on experience in marketing, communications and advertising while contributing to real-world projects, including a campaign for VisitPITTSBURGH that highlighted Pittsburgh's diversity and the best the city has to offer. Read more about her experience in the Q&A below.
What did you like about the Big IDEA internship?
Most of the projects I worked on focused on research and execution for larger projects. Having the opportunity to work on a VisitPITTSBURGH campaign and create social media content was extremely beneficial in terms of understanding both the communications and marketing sides of the industry. I liked how it was a variety of projects that were relevant to the career path I hope to pursue. The internship provided me with three different perspectives on marketing, communications and advertising. Obtaining that knowledge will undoubtedly help me have a stronger resume when looking for a job that requires those various skills.
What lessons did you learn from this internship that you will apply to your future career pursuits?
I discovered that the marketing industry necessitates a great deal of perseverance and consistency. When entering this industry, there are goals that companies have, and you must hit every mark to ensure that you meet their needs. I also learned the significance of creativity and problem-solving skills. Having the ability to stay creative for your audience in times when in-person marketing is limited is useful to a lot of businesses, especially in competitive times.
How have the SAEM faculty and coursework impacted you?
The SAEM faculty has truly helped me understand the value of experience and the importance of getting out there and soaking up knowledge any way or anywhere you can. Paige Beal has been a tremendous help to me, not only with my internships, but also with my current employment as a customer service representative in the SAEM industry. She has often shared opportunities with me that fit my talents and personality. Additionally, Robert Derda helped me a lot in my leadership courses. Point Park's faculty really pay attention to what their students are interested in and make sure they can help them achieve their goals.
Why would you recommend Point Park to a prospective student?
I would recommend Point Park to a student because of the opportunities for hands-on experience. When it comes to sports, arts, and entertainment companies, Point Park has a wide range of connections in the city. If a student is interested in a particular industry, Point Park is connected to many companies that are happy to have students intern or even volunteer. As a result, there are no gaps in your experience that you're unable to fill. That is something I truly believe helped me see what I wanted to do as a career in the future.
View this post on Instagram