Avenue Design Studios started an internship program last semester, based partially on recommendations from other companies as well as their interns. We want to avoid the stereotype of interns getting coffee for the boss as much as the students do, so it’s important not only that the student is right for the company, but that the company is right for the student.

For an unpaid internship, I insist that the student get school credit so that they’re not working for free. I also make sure that the student has goals for the internship beyond college credit, and that ADS will be able to provide enough experience to help them achieve those goals. Interviewing for internships is tricky because the candidates have little to no work experience in the “real world”, so it’s very important to listen carefully and ask the right questions.

Some companies feel that interns require too much supervision. Teaching is certainly part of the job, so it may not be for everyone. Perhaps my experiences teaching at Pitt and PodCamp have helped prepare me, but I really enjoyed teaching — and learning from — our intern, and I’m looking forward to this term.

I’d like to thank Margaret Ondrey for her work with Avenue Design Studios last semester. Maggie is majoring in film studies and English writing at the University of Pittsburgh, and worked with ADS specifically on projects for the Bloomfield Development Corporation. Maggie’s main job was writing for Bloomfield Now, but she also helped manage a larger social media campaign that includes a Flickr group, a Facebook page and an interactive Google map. We wish Maggie the best of luck in her last semester and into the real world.

I would now like to introduce Alexis Foster, and welcome her to Avenue Design Studios. Lexi is a senior at Pitt in the Media and Professional Communications program with a focus in Corporate and Community Relations, and will be working with ADS on marketing & PR campaigns for several of our clients. I’m very happy that she found Avenue Design Studios, and I’m looking forward to working with her over the next semester.