BW students forge big dreams with internships in Big Apple

Whether you call it a New York state of mind - where big-city glam sparks dreams, joy and infinite possibilities - or the knowledge that their internships are perfect pathways into their careers, BW students Kiris Fox '24 and Gianna Occhibove '22 love NYC.

A Life of Luxury

Ask Occhibove about the fast-paced work of PR, and she'll smile broadly. After all, it's her world now. The public relations major from Youngstown, Ohio, is working for Hawkins International, named one of "America's Best PR Agencies in 2021" by Forbes with clients in luxury travel, hospitality, lifestyle, culinary and wellness.

For Occhibove, things fell quickly into place with the agency as she moved from networking to entry-level roles then greater responsibilities.

­"I started at Hawkins International in May of this year. I work remotely, but I go there monthly for visits. I'm trusted with so many projects that entry-level positions are given, and I can execute them. I've been given writing assignments like drafting pitches and reporting. I've secured coverage in regional news outlets in NYC for clients as well as nationally recognized outlets like Forbes and Luxury Travel Advisor," she noted.

"I've always dreamed of working in NYC. Now I'm one step closer to moving and working there after graduating. I learned sides of PR that I didn't even know existed and gained new skills and abilities," she added.

'Obsessed with the Best'

Immersed in the high-energy, show-and-tell world of influencers and podcasts, Fox brings graphic dazzle and PR strategy to her internship with "Obsessed with the Best with Alex & Tina."

The NYC-based podcast spotlights former college roommates who describe themselves as "two curious gals-on-the-go who love all things beauty, wellness and self-improvement."

"Alex and Tina have listeners from all over the country, and their downloads are growing every week. Their mission is to empower and uplift women," Fox said with excitement.

The arts management & entrepreneurship major from Sydney, Ohio, works remotely creating social media graphics, boosting audience engagement, researching trends for podcast topics, connecting with brands and promoting the podcast.

"I came to BW because of the arts management program. The summer before my senior year, I attended the Conservatory Summer Institute and stayed on campus. I absolutely fell in love with BW. Since enrolling here as a student, I cannot help but feel that this was the best decision I've ever made."