Spring Break Gives Martin Scholars Career Confidence, Insight

^{Above (l–r): Cameron Long, Elle Simek, Alyssa McDowell, Corrina Castillo, Maddie Jacaruso and Tom Martin, on the subway in NYC}

This spring break, I returned to campus not with a tan, but with an array of new connections.

I recently had the opportunity to visit 14 different organizations with the Martin Scholars Program – a yearlong program that helps senior communication majors at the College of Charleston develop both personally and professionally. Martin Scholars participate every year in fall- and spring-break trips to meet with industry experts and tour facilities in Atlanta (fall) and in New York City and Washington, D.C. (spring).

RELATED: Find out more about the Martin Scholars’ spring and fall break travels.

So, at 9:30 a.m. sharp on the first day of spring break, I boarded a train with the other scholars headed to the great city of Washington, D.C., where organizations focused on public affairs, strategic communications and policy awaited us. 

While the ride was long, and I notoriously complained for much of it, it was also the perfect opportunity to rehearse my elevator pitch. In the fall, the mere mention of this 90-second introduction made my teeth chatter. Now, thanks to Tom Martin, founder of the Martin Center for Mentorship in Communication, and his passion for the pitch, I felt confident in my ability to present myself to the accomplished individuals I would soon meet. 

Martin Scholars Go to Washington

From here, it was go, go, go. 

At our first visit, I was eager to learn all about working at the White House from an impressive panel, including Mike McCurry, who served as the White House press secretary to President Clinton. McCurry left us with a great piece of advice to stand out in a job: “Put yourself in places where lightning may strike.” 

We heard from companies, including Totem, Avoq, Nestle and Amazon – all of which had CofC alum and some former Martin Scholars working there. For me and the rest of the group, it was encouraging to see people who were once in our shoes now thriving in the professional world. 

These alum connections continued into a networking reception, where I met some impressive former CofC students and ate some delicious food. And, while this was a business trip, we took advantage of our free time to visit the National Museum of History and explore the beautiful city. 

At last, the time had come to board another train, but this one was just a quick trip to New York City.

Looking out the window, my mind was racing with all of the new information I had learned. It really does make a difference to be able to tour these companies and ask face-to-face questions.

I think my favorite part of the D.C. visits was learning about communication jobs I’d never been exposed to. And, hey, while I hadn’t previously considered living in D.C., this trip showed me that the city does have so much to offer. 

A Taste of the Big Apple

Arriving in NYC, I jokingly said goodbye forever to the other scholars as I headed to the subway station. Being from Connecticut, you would think I would know a little more about this form of transportation. Honestly, navigating the subway was more intimidating to me than delivering my elevator pitch 14 times. 

Luckily, I effortlessly made it to our first site visit of the day – Good Morning America. I watched one of my favorite celebrities, Steve Carrell, film his interview on live television, and from there I jumped into the final two days of our trip. 

In New York, we visited several agencies, including Vested, Salt + Rutner and Integral – but what stood out to me was how diverse these agencies were. Vested, in particular, opened my eyes to the financial communications industry, a field I knew very little about. 

Ellery Smith ’20, a former Martin Scholar who is now an account manager at Vested, offered great insight into accepting a job that may initially feel intimidating or unfamiliar. Smith emphasized that, with passion and a willingness to learn, you can grow in any new role. 

I was also grateful to engage in some real-world conversations at Integral, an employee experience agency, where the panel discussed their career journeys and shared practical advice. As a soon-to-be graduate, these conversations eased my mind about some of the uncertainty that comes with entering the workforce. 

Landing back in Charleston, I was grateful to escape the cold, but even more grateful for the opportunity to connect with the professional world. In college, that world can often feel intimidating and far away. Through this trip and my time as a Martin Scholar, I’ve grown personally and professionally, and the path toward a career feels far more attainable.

Madeline Jacaruso is a senior communication major from Essex, Connecticut, with interests in writing, journalism and strategic communication. She is a Martin Scholar and a member of the Eta Sigma chapter of Delta Gamma sorority.