This month’s Guest Blogger is Jenna Gorecki. Jenna interned with the Mary Cariola Center Marketing Team in Summer/Fall 2024. Jenna, a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a senior at the University of Rochester, where she has been a four-year starter on the UR Softball Team. She graduates next month with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and plans to move to the Washington, DC area to pursue a career in Marketing.

This past summer and fall I had the wonderful opportunity of interning in the Marketing Department at the Mary Cariola Center. This position was facilitated with help from the Schwartz Community Based Internship Program through the University of Rochester. The program worked to pair Rochester students with summer internships at local nonprofits.

On my first day, I noticed how committed and enthusiastic the students and staff were and more especially, the Marketing Department. They may be a small team but they definitely have a very big reach. Greg Kamp, Director of Marketing and Communications, toured me around all three campuses. I was impressed to see that Greg knew every staff member, students, and even some of their stories. That type of personal engagement was evident among the entire marketing team and helped to make this a very fulfilling experience.

The team was not only focused on furthering the organization through their efforts but furthering my learning and skill. Being a part of the Agency’s 75th Anniversary year, I was fortunate to see the importance of brand consistency and brand awareness for organizations like Mary Cariola. I also had the chance to coordinate media relations, learn about crisis communication, and even work on some marketing research. It was a very well-rounded internship, so this list could go on forever.

My favorite parts of the experience were the two large fundraising events with which I was involved. Just a few weeks into my internship, I attended the Eat, Drink & Be Mary fundraising event. I interacted with donors, coordinated media coverage, and helped with event logistics. It was incredible to meet the wonderful donors that make Cariola such a special place. Towards the end of my internship, I attended the organization's largest community fundraiser, Walking on Sunshine. The Cariola community, including students, employees, families, and sponsors, came together for a morning of fun. I loved seeing the students and families having a great time and understanding that my efforts can have a small positive impact on the lives of others.

Overall, this was an extremely rewarding experience, not just professionally, but personally. It truly showed me that you can find positives in any situation, no matter the circumstances. The challenges that these students face every day can be difficult, but their positive attitudes, passionate staff, and giving community make the Mary Cariola Center one of the happiest places on earth.