Hands-on experience can help students discover the career that’s right for them. Writing Arts major Nicole shares how a paid social media marketing internship in New York City strengthened her professional skills, confirmed her career goals and showed her the value of experiential learning at Rowan University.
Nicole C. is living her life beyond the classroom by interning with Sabon, an international cosmetics company in New York City. A junior writing arts major and strategic communications minor, Nicole is a social media marketing intern – Sabon’s very first intern, in fact. In her paid summer internship she commutes to the city two days a week from her home. She is in charge of planning the Instagram, making an editorial calendar on Excel and doing promotions and holiday posts. She also writes for their blog and creates other digital content.
Finding the Right Internship
While searching for an internship through Indeed, she knew she wanted something related to writing or social media. Nicole has always been into skincare and follows beauty accounts on her personal social media. She never realized how much planning and work goes into each post. Everything that is posted is planned three weeks in advance.
Learning Through Real-World Experience
Nicole immediately realized that this was her dream job. She didn’t think she would like it as much as she would and was unsure about what she wanted to do in the future. The tasks and responsibilities she does every day including running around the city, meeting tons of different people, and taking photos, is very interesting to her and could see herself doing this after she graduates.
Through this amazing opportunity, Nicole is learning new things every day and is getting a handful of experience. It gives her a realization about how a business works and how to represent it. She loves getting to interact with important people around the city and see what they do as well.
How Rowan Prepared Me
“Rowan is 100% responsible for me getting this internship,” said Nicole. Sabon was intrigued in Nicole’s experience with working for this Rowan Blog and the experience really helped her get this internship. Her classes for her major and minor helped her a lot as well because she already knew a handful of skills she needed at Sabon. When classes begin in the fall, Nicole will incorporate her knowledge inside and outside the classroom. This is only the beginning for Nicole, we know she is doing great things beyond the classroom!
Story by: Molly Purcell, double major public relations and advertising
Photos by: Nicole Cier, writing arts major
About Rowan’s Writing Arts Major
Students studying Writing Arts at Rowan University develop the creative, analytical and professional writing skills needed to communicate effectively across a variety of industries and media. Coursework blends creative writing, professional writing, editing, publishing and digital storytelling while strengthening critical thinking, research and communication skills.
Through internships, student publications, experiential learning and faculty mentorship, students build professional portfolios and gain real-world experience in writing, editing, content creation and publishing. Graduates pursue careers in publishing, journalism, marketing, public relations, digital media, nonprofit organizations, education and other fields where strong writing and storytelling skills are essential.
Internship & Experiential Learning Stories
Learn how Rowan Profs go beyond the classroom to grow professionally, as well as personally, through internships and other experiential learning. Experiential learning includes hands-on learning opportunities provided through research, student clubs, campus leadership, student worker jobs, service-learning projects and volunteerism. In addition, Rowan’s Career and Professional Development Services Office provides career support that’s more than just advice – it’s events, connections and real guidance to help students thrive after college.
About Rowan
Since its founding in 1923, Rowan University has evolved from a teacher preparation college to a public research institution ranked among the top 100 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Rowan University offers bachelor’s through doctoral degrees and professional certificates in person and online to nearly 25,000 students through its main campus in Glassboro and its eight other locations in southern New Jersey. Rowan focuses on practical research at the intersection of health care, engineering, science and business, while ensuring excellence in undergraduate education. The University has earned national recognition for innovation; commitment to high-quality, affordable education; and the development of public-private partnerships. A Carnegie-classified R2 (high research activity) institution, Rowan is the fastest-growing public research university in the Northeast and among the nation’s top 10 fastest-growing, as reported by The Chronicle of Higher Education. In 2025, Rowan opened New Jersey’s only veterinary school and is one of only two universities in the nation to offer M.D., D.O., and D.V.M. medical degrees.