Emma Schenck, Addiction Services Major. Photo Credit: Emma Schenck
Before choosing her current career path, Emma Schenck attended the University of Cincinnati as a criminal justice major.
“For me, what got me into addiction services was the personal experience that I had throughout Cincinnati with addiction, and homelessness outreach. So that gave me a passion for the subject since I was familiar with those situations; the internship has been a super enriching experience. It calls for a good balance of empathy, resilience, and ethical practices,” said Schenck.
The internship has greatly influenced Schenck; it has deepened her passion for addiction services, enhanced her understanding of individuals’ challenges in recovering, and equipped her with the skills and insights necessary to make a meaningful impact in the field.
Schenck offered several pieces of advice for students considering addiction services majors. She emphasized that many will experience significant personal growth throughout this program. It will help students learn so much about themselves which is crucial in determining if this field suits you.
She also noted that she learned various skills, including resilience and flexibility. These are essential in addiction services. Going into the field, students will also need to understand how different professions collaborate within this sector.
Schenck encourages students to feel free having a specific career path in mind when starting your degree. Many different opportunities are available in addiction services, and you can discover your interests as you progress through the program.
“For those about to start their internship in addiction services, my advice is that it’s not going to be easy. But it’s vital to learn how to work in the field with clients because of how different it is from a classroom setting,” said Schenck.
Feranmi Abiola, an international student from Nigeria, Video Production Major. Photo Credit: Esperance Amuri
To Abiola, her inspiration to pursue a career in video production or cinematography stemmed from a desire to tell stories. She mentioned that she has always been a storyteller at heart and that whatever Abiola does, she tries to convey narratives through her work. Abiola has a diverse background, having engaged in various creative roles but settled on cinematography to express her passion for storytelling.
Additionally, she noted that after working on numerous projects for others, there comes a point where one wants to focus on personal stories and passion projects, which aligns with her current goals.
“What I have learned the most is the business side of filmmaking and how people make things to get some people as a client. I used to think creatively. I never used to think business in my head, but now I realize it’s half and half; you got to use 50% creativity and 50% business, or else your creativity will go to waste,” said Abiola.
To Abiola, the internship has significantly influenced her career goals in video production by providing her with valuable experiences and knowledge that she would be able to apply in her home country. She expresses a long-standing goal of leaving her country to gain experience in the industry elsewhere, which she is achieving through this internship.
She owns her studio in Nigeria and feels confident that her acquired skills and insights will enhance her ability to operate effectively there.
She also highlights the importance of networking and meeting industry professionals, such as Steve Bogner, who co-produced the Oscar-winning documentary American Factory. Interacting with such individuals has validated her journey and efforts, further motivating her to pursue her goals in video production.
To Abiola, an internship is a platform for learning and a means to expand her professional network and gain insights into different aspects of the film industry, which she finds vital whilst accomplishing these goals for her future.
“One piece of advice I have always received is to put myself out there, especially here where I am. You must put yourself out there, meet people, do as much work as possible, put on social media, and let people know what you are doing. My tips for future students looking to intern in video production is not to stop creating, keep creating as much as you can, keep doing all the work that you think is not worth it, and one day it will pay off,” said Abiola.
Esperance Amuri, Online Editor