From Nerves to Networking, Students and Staff Share Their First Steps to Landing an Internship

Whether it's navigating internship fairs or perfecting your elevator pitch, Marist students and Career Services staff share their top tips for standing out and mastering the internship application and networking process.  

With 37 students present to represent their recent internships, the Internship Showcase highlighted diverse career paths and real-world experiences. Photo by Jamie Holzmann '25

Marist College’s bi-annual Internship Showcase on Nov. 6 highlighted 37 students, each sharing the experiences that have shaped their career paths. Behind every table was more than just an internship; it was the result of careful planning, persistence and the willingness to take that first step.

But what exactly is the first step, and what challenges and strategies led these students to the other side of the table?

For Charlotte Del Vecchio ‘25, the answer was not always so clear. As an English major set on a career in publishing, her nerves drove her to Career Services, where she ended up scheduling an appointment every other week throughout her entire junior spring semester.

“I got very close with Stephanie Paquin, Assistant Director of the Internship Program. Working with her every week and developing cover letters and my resume really helped me, and then eventually by the end of the semester, I got an internship with Hudson Valley Magazine,” she said.

For Del Vecchio, networking was as simple as talking to her advisor, Moira Fitzgibbons, who recommended her for the Hudson River Valley Institute.

She also reminded students that they don’t need to land their dream job or internship right off the bat. “My first internship was with a magazine, and I want to work in book publishing. It’s not exactly what I want to pursue, but the experience has still been really valuable.”

Del Vecchio stressed the power of persistence in the internship hunt. “Keep applying, even if you don’t get the first one, or the fifteenth one. Just keep at it, because eventually, you’ll land something.”

Computer science major Ryan Munger ’25 shared a similar perspective on entering the internship world, but chose a different route — he didn’t rely on Marist’s resources. Currently interning at Lockheed Martin, he emphasized the importance of persistence and proactive skill-building in today’s competitive field. 

“Don’t be afraid to apply,” Munger said. “The worst you’ll get is some experience with the interview process, which is valuable in itself. But you also have to do things outside of class to make it in this field.” 

Munger pointed out that Marist’s ties to IBM are not as strong as they once were, making the computer science job market even more competitive.

“It’s definitely a big issue right now,” he said. “If you don’t get an internship one summer, you need to work on personal projects and practice algorithms because failing the coding exam after submitting your resume could end your application process.” 

Munger explained that when it comes to applications and putting yourself out there, the worst outcome is gaining valuable experience. However, he stressed that for computer science majors, taking initiative outside of class is crucial to succeeding in today’s competitive field.

Across the room, Sabrina Silvester ’25, a psychology major, was discussing her internship at the Anderson Center for Autism. There, she worked with behavioral data and crisis intervention, gaining valuable experience as she worked toward her goal of becoming a therapist.

Silvester stated that the hands-on experience she’s gained working with individuals in the mental health counseling field has been invaluable in helping her better understand the challenges she may face in the future. 

However, Silvester felt that the internship fair offered limited opportunities in her field. "I would have liked to be able to talk to people about other experiences within the psychology realm,” she said. “It's hard when there are not a lot of psychology internships represented at events like this." 

Danielle Criscuolo ‘25 was able to put her environmental science major to use at her summer internship with the Ocean County Health Department. There, she sampled the water along the Jersey Shore to test its safety for swimmers. 

Allison Strzegowski ’25, also an environmental science major, shared a similar determination in the face of competition. Her most recent internship took her just down the road to Scenic Hudson at Franny Reese State Park, where she’s worked on collecting vital ecological data to aid in the park's preservation for future generations.

Both having never attended an internship fair, they relied mainly on career services themselves for internship help and advice. 

Going into the internship experience, Criscuolo was particularly stressed out by the idea of fulfilling her internship credits necessary for graduation. 

“I was worried that, with the rest of the competition having pretty much the same criteria as me, that someone was going to get the opportunity over me, and I wasn't going to be able to get the credits that I needed,” she said.

They say comparison is the thief of joy, but Criscuolo didn’t let this fear stop her from applying anywhere she could. “Even if you read the descriptions of a job, and they say you don't have this qualification or that qualification, you still should apply anyway and give it a shot.” 

On the other hand, Strzegowski found her internship opportunities through her professors, but also relied on Career Services to help strengthen her resume. She emphasized the department’s role in connecting students with faculty members who can offer real-world support.

“I think it’s daunting, because there’s this idea that you need a great internship to land a great job. But even if you get a million rejection emails, it doesn’t matter, as long as you find one thing that works for you,” Strzegowski shared.

For many students, the idea of approaching employers at an internship fair can be intimidating. Desmond Murray, Associate Director for the Employer Experience, offered advice for those nervous about stepping forward. "Some students are just naturally shy. Some don’t want to approach an employer or ask questions. This happens with adults, too," he said.

Murray acknowledged that overcoming this hesitation may be easier said than done, but emphasized the importance of giving students the right tools to feel more confident. “Sometimes, if you just give someone a sample or an example of what they can say, it breaks the ice. It eases the anxiety and stress of approaching an employer.”

Laura Grevi, Associate Director of Career Coaching, also offered words of encouragement for students feeling anxious about career fairs. “The employers are there because they have a need. They need students for internships, summer jobs and full-time opportunities. You should feel confident because employers see you as someone who can help fulfill that need.”

Grevi, along with her colleagues in Career Services, teaches students the strategy of the "elevator pitch" — a brief introduction that quickly summarizes a project or idea. She explained that, for many students, the smallest details of conversations with employers can feel the most intimidating, especially when it comes to wrapping up the conversation.

To ease these worries, she encourages students to focus on the simple practice of saying their elevator pitch out loud until they’re comfortable talking about themselves. “The more times you say it out loud, the more confident you’ll feel when you approach employers,” Grevi advised.

In addition to preparation, Grevi stressed the importance of following up after an internship fair. A thoughtful follow-up can make just as strong an impression as the initial interaction. This can be as simple as sending a thank-you email, attaching your resume and reminding employers of what you discussed. It also can help elevate your application, as employers often review hundreds of resumes after the event.

Finally, she emphasized the need to keep the conversation flowing. After delivering their elevator pitch, Grevi suggests students smoothly transition by asking, “What else can I tell you?”

Murray also reminded students that most already know what they need to do; they just need a little encouragement to take that first step. His role, he explained, is to help students recognize that they already have the answers within them and to give them the confidence to reach out to employers or navigate the application process.