Owls Behind the Scenes: What it’s like working for Temple’s Advanced Communications Team

My name is Jack Flynn. I’m a senior Advertising student here at Temple University. I’m concentrating in Media Planning and Account Management, and I’m currently a Digital Marketing and Communications Intern for Temple’s Advanced Communications Team.

The Advanced Communications Team is a small team that works with Temple on a variety of their socials and advertising media, primarily their Alumni and Donor’s Association. They work with each other and Temple alumni, conducting research on certain fields they may fall into for post grad, hosting interviews with alumni to see how their careers have been affected by Temple, and boosting and promoting small businesses run by Temple alumni here in Philadelphia. They also work to research donors and their contributions to Temple, conducting interviews with recent donors to pick their brains about their connection to Temple University.

My work as a Digital Marketing and Communications Intern here has been highly influential and meaningful ever since I started in January of 2024, halfway through my junior year. I work under Matthew Michaels of the Advanced Comms Team, and my work mainly consists of editing and research when it comes to the team’s backlog of data pertaining to donors and alumni. New information on alumni, businesses, donors, and other important data is added almost everyday, and they need several people to help sift through and analyze the data in order for the system of data to be organized. My job is mainly to organize this data, whether its translating Excel spreadsheets to other platforms or organizing photos on sites such as GreenFly. Occasionally, I’ll attend interviews or photo shoots Matthew and the team are having for an article featuring alumni of Temple. Those experiences out in the field can be very insightful and fun, as I get to meet all kinds of alumni who have found their callings through Temple and their many programs.

This internship has helped me realize a new appreciation for journalism and article-writing that I may not have found before applying for this position. The process to interview someone related to your field can be the best learning experience, as you are obtaining information straight from the source of someone who has the same ambitions and goals as you may have yourself. It opens your eyes to a whole new world of observations and opportunities involved in a career you have set your sights on.

Initially before starting my internship, I assumed I was applying for a simple busywork-focused internship to help grow my experience and perhaps fill some needed credits for graduation. And while I still got that, I also obtained experiences that not most students here at Temple, or even at Klein College, get to see every day. The act of seeing new professions and meeting new people related to Temple and your field have been a wonderful experience, and I would recommend this internship to anyone interested in advertising, marketing, or communications.

My advice for anyone pursuing an internship here at Temple or anywhere would be just to not fear trying an experience you may be unfamiliar with, as it may take you down the right path in your career. I also wouldn’t expect your internship in the advertising industry to be stagnant, as you never know what experiences you may have in the media field coming up!