Lexie Bordenkecher

Major: Communication

Corporate Communications Intern, Group 1001

How did you learn about this internship opportunity? 

I learned about this opportunity through LinkedIn. During the fall semester and early into the spring semester, I would carve out time each day to browse through the LinkedIn jobs page and apply to anything that seemed like a good fit for me.

How has your internship helped build your skills and clarify your career goals?  How did being a Liberal Arts student at Purdue apply to your internship?

I was able to utilize many of the skills and resources I learned in my communication classes during this internship. I think internships are a great way to figure out what type of environment you’d like to work in. I’ve now had two corporate internships, both with relatively large companies, so I am a bit more aware of what size company I’d like to work for in the future.

What is a piece of advice you would give someone in your major  looking for an internship? 

Network where you can, and when you can. It can be uncomfortable for some people, but that’s how you’re going to get to where you want to be. CLA professors, advisors, and alumni are always more than happy to help you find opportunities that are a good fit for you. Also, start your internship search early! It’s so nice to secure an internship early so you don’t have to stress about it at the end of the school year.

What key responsibilities or tasks have you taken on during your internship?

In my internship, I did a lot of writing for internal and external communication. I wrote press releases, compiled media lists, wrote media pitches, and wrote stories for our intranet. I also helped out with social media by creating engaging content like reels!

In what ways has the College of Liberal Arts at Purdue University supported your internship journey? How has your participation in our job-ready program specifically aided your professional development? 

This summer, I was able to work towards completing my certificate in Public Policy by taking one of my final classes. Job-ready assisted me in taking care of the cost for the class, so I didn’t have to stress about paying for another class while also working full-time.

Could you highlight a standout aspect of your experience in this program that you find particularly noteworthy? 

The company that I worked for has some really cool connections in Indianapolis! We got to have our end-of-summer celebration inside the pagoda at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and watch the Indiana Fever from our suite in Gainbridge Fieldhouse.