College internship leads to first job for new grad
Arielle Shipper '10 has always loved reading magazines. But since childhood she imagined herself behind the editor´s desk - brainstorming stories, organizing photo shoots, interviewing fascinating people and writing about them. Shipper kept her eye on that goal.
At Connecticut College she joined the career program, Career Enhancing Life Services (CELS), in her freshman year. She completed a series of workshops and met with a CELS counselor, Kathleen Eckels, to create her resume and refine her career goals.
"Kathy was an absolutely indispensable resource for me. She helped me every step of the way and provided valuable advice on networking and building relationships," said Shipper, a sociology-based human relations major who graduated in December, a semester early.
Shipper´s hard work in the CELS program qualified her for Connecticut College´s internship stipend of $3,000 in the summer before her senior year. Though many magazines had severely curtailed their internship programs in the failing economy, she landed a position at Condé Nast Traveler, working under the ombudsman editor. And she wasn´t fetching coffee or making copies, either: Shipper was given the summer-long task of assembling the 2010 Gold List, Traveler´s annual feature on the world´s best hotels and resorts, which will appear in the January issue.
"It was rewarding to work on one project from start to finish," Shipper said. "I got a chance to shine and to develop a really close relationship with my editor."
After the internship ended, a Condé Nast human resources representative conducted an exit interview with Shipper. Four months later, she remembered the hard-working Connecticut College senior when a job opened up at Brides. Two interviews (and two train trips to New York City) later, Shipper was the magazine´s new gift registry and entertaining assistant.
"My experience at Condé Nast Traveler inspired me to chase my dream relentlessly, and assured me that there is a place for me in the world," Shipper said. She´s infinitely grateful for Eckels´ support and encouragement. "I couldn´t have done it without her."
January 13, 2010
