Three Student Awardees Share Their Summer Internship Experiences
By Abigail Watkins
Every year, three students in the Media, Film and Journalism Studies department receive awards to help fund their summer internship. This is awarded through the Lance Clem Program. Lance Clem (BA '72), an MFJS alumnus, longtime journalist and public policy advocate, established this program for future MFJS students through his estate upon his passing in 2016. The 2021 awardees shared their summer internship experiences with us.
This past summer, William Enterline, Olivia Myrtue and Scott Chaplik were the recipients of the Lance Clem Awards. These three students completed summer internships that will help jumpstart their careers in their chosen field.
William Enterline
William Enterline is a senior majoring in strategic communication. This past summer, he interned in Chicago, Illinois, as a competitive market analyst and researcher for Gilbane Building company. When talking about the internship, Enterline said, “The internship has been one of the most pivotal and developmental aspects of my education. I learned what working a 40-hour workweek is like, on top of learning how to write and conduct research and analysis in a professional setting. I feel extremely grateful for the opportunity that MFJS gave me.” This internship gave him the opportunity to work in Chicago, a city he had never visited prior to last summer. This award enabled Enterline to put the money he would have spent on tuition toward living expenses in Chicago instead. Enterline was offered a post-graduation job working for Gilbane in their market analysis program. The Lance Clem Award helped Enterline understand what is expected of employees working in advertising. Enterline shares his gratitude for the award by saying, “I am extremely grateful for having been gifted that opportunity and look forward to my future professional growth.”
Olivia Myrtue
Olivia Myrtue is a senior pursuing a major in strategic communication. This past summer, she was an intern for Slate PR, a full-scale entertainment public relations firm based in Los Angeles and New York. Throughout her internship, she worked alongside the events team at Slate gaining hands-on experience on high-scale events. Throughout her teenage years, she always wanted to work in the entertainment industry and this internship allowed her to do so. Myrtue had the opportunity to work on events such as The Tony Awards and New York Fashion Week. When talking about her Slate PR internship, Myrtue said, “Being able to have a hand in helping plan and execute the communication surrounding these major industry events, especially during this time, was truly an amazing learning experience and a personal dream of mine.” The Lance Clem Award is what made this internship possible for Myrtue. “I could not be more grateful to have received the Lance Clem Award this summer, which allowed me to realize this unforgettable opportunity in addition to earning university credit towards my major,” Myrtue said.
Scott Chaplik
Scott Chaplik, a senior strategic communication major, interned at ID PR, a leading public relations firm based in Los Angeles and New York. While this was a virtual internship, Scott did not let that hinder his experience working for the company. Scott said that this internship helped him realize why he wants to be a publicist post-graduation. “I noticed the passion ID had for bringing underrepresented voices and stories to the media and to life on screen. The internship not only inspired me but also reassured me in why I want to be a publicist. Making a difference within the industry was surely a possibility,” Chaplik said. He is amazed by what he gained from this internship and sends thanks to the Lance Clem Award for making it possible. “I am thankful to have received the Lance Clem Award as in addition to earning credits, I was also able to completely submerge into the work with open arms.”
