For Lily Diebold ‘25, an internship at the Boston College Office of Event Management gave her insight into a different aspect of her hospitality major and confirmed her interest in the hospitality industry. From successfully planning a challenging event for the BC men’s ice hockey team to assisting with an annual gala, Diebold learned about planning events on a college campus and how different departments must work together to create a successful event. Working side-by-side with professional event coordinators provided guidance for her work during the internship and future career.
What was your internship & what were your primary responsibilities?
I was an intern at the Boston College Office of Event Management. My primary responsibilities included planning and executing events from start to finish, assisting with their annual Pops on the Heights Scholarship Gala, working with external and internal vendors and departments for the events, conducting site visits with clients and supervisors, and helping with administrative work such as emails and phone calls.
How did your internship relate to your major or career goals?
Event management is a large part of the hospitality industry, and this internship helped me understand the inner workings of events on a college campus. This influenced my career goals because it broadened my horizons and introduced me to a different section of the industry.
Can you describe a project you worked on during your internship that you found particularly challenging or rewarding?
One project that I worked on during my internship that was both challenging and rewarding was planning and creating an event from start to finish. I worked on the Face Off Mass for the men's ice hockey team and learned how to use the software for the event. It was quite challenging; however, in the end, I successfully planned the event.
What skills did you develop or improve during your internship?
I was able to build my skills in team collaboration, coordination, communication, and problem-solving, and improve my technical skills.
How did your internship help you understand the industry or field you're interested in?
I got to work side-by-side with event coordinators who helped guide me through the internship. They were extremely helpful because they not only gave me advice for my work at BC, but also for my future career, so this internship helped me get a better understanding of the event planning industry.
What was the most surprising thing you learned during your internship?
The most surprising thing I learned during my internship was that so many different departments on a college campus must work together to create a successful event. It was interesting to witness the different connections needed for the event to go smoothly.
Did your internship help you confirm or reassess your career path or aspirations?
I enjoy meeting new people and staying busy during the workday, so this internship confirmed my interest in the hospitality industry.
Were any specific courses or knowledge from your major particularly useful during your internship?
My major was quite useful for my internship, especially the hospitality courses.