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Matt Waweru

Public Relations & Strategic Communication 

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

What was the most exciting thing about your role? 

The most exciting part of my role was that I got to be on the execution side of things. I love the planning process and the preparation, but my favorite part is the execution. It allowed for me to gain a better understanding of how many working parts it takes to make an event happen.

What surprised you most about your internship? 

The thing that surprised me the most was how much the staff at IMS seemed to enjoy their job and the people they work with. Everyone that works there loves what they do, even if they aren't particularly race fans. It's certainly a contagious feeling.

How did you apply your Liberal Arts-skills to your internship position?

I applied my degree everyday because members of the College Program use many different kinds of communication techniques in our day. We serve as ambassadors on behalf of IMS to all of our guest to ensure that they have a pleasant time at the track and that all of their needs (within reason) can be met. For me, learning how to communicate with my workers, my bosses, and guests all took different kinds of approaches for success.

How has your internship prepared you for your career?

My internship prepared me for my career by teaching me how to be flexible and use problem solving in a pinch. Working an event as large as the Indy 500, you learn really quickly that things are not going to go exactly as planned! Being quick on your feet and learning how to judge a situation is critical in moments like that can make or break how the rest of the event will unfold.