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Zachary Kowzic held an internship with the university's Marketing and Public Affairs departments.
Zachary Kowzic ’15 has served as an intern for the university’s Marketing and Public Affairs departments, honing his skills in social media, content creation, and special events planning. The marketing major from Wareham plans a career focused on inbound marketing, sales, and international business.
What did you gain from your internship?
My internship has been the defining moment of my college career.
As part of the Marketing/Public Affairs intern team, I’ve helped implement a number of different social media strategies for the university and have improved the overall engagement of the UMassD community on almost all social media outlets. I’ve also helped carry out plans for special events like the gubernatorial debates.
I’ve created original content to be used for marketing and have been afforded a lot of opportunities to network with professionals at the university. I’ve also been fortunate to be in the company of Senators and Congressmen on more than one occasion.
The internship offered me tangible, real-life experience, and the opportunity to work on projects that mattered to the university community. It also taught me about the importance of trust and responsibility in the workplace.
I’m confident that I’m leaving UMass Dartmouth with a set of skills that will help me be successful in my career.
What else have you been involved with at UMass Dartmouth?
Studying abroad in Germany changed my life. I had been out of the country before, but nothing compared to my study abroad experience.
I spent a month in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, the financial capital of Europe and home of the World Bank. The experience helped me realize I wanted to work internationally. I want to be able to see as much as I can of the world and experience working with clients and co-workers from all walks of life.
I’ve always had a sort of “lone wolf” mentality, but my experience in Germany helped me realize I could not only survive on my own in a different country, but I could thrive.
What are your plans after graduation?
I’m going to look for a job with a firm doing inbound marketing or sales. I want to utilize my effective people skills to become a good sales representative. I would also like to use my minor in international business to become a marketing or sales manager at a successful international company.
What has been your greatest challenge?
My greatest challenge, and subsequently my greatest accomplishment, has been putting myself through school. I’m an independent student, and it’s been a bumpy ride on the way to the finish line.
There were some times when I didn’t think I was going to be able to finish, but I found a way every time—sometimes with help, sometimes without. This taught me a life lesson as well: no matter what roadblock comes up, if you want something bad enough, you’re going to find a way to make it happen.
Who would you like to thank?
My friend and classmate Alyssa Foley was integral in helping me acquire my internship. I showed her some examples of original graphic work I did for a WUMD marketing promotion. She told me about her own internship with Marketing/Public Affairs and recommended me to join the team.
Without her, I might still be stagnant, and for that I would like to thank her immensely. I’d also like to thank my boss, public affairs specialist Joe Sullivan, for being a great mentor this past school year.
What advice would you like to share with future students?
Make the best of the four years you spend here at UMass Dartmouth. You’ll receive the best education possible for your dollar. You’ll meet some of the greatest people and form bonds that will last you a lifetime. You’ll be exposed to faculty that care about you and invest in your success.
Study abroad, get internships, join clubs, engage in activities on campus. The four years you’ll spend in college go by much faster than you realize. You don’t want to miss out, because you’ll never get another chance to have such an incredible experience.