Addisynn Hensley

Responsibilities

During my Spring 2024 event internship, I was responsible for regularly checking in on events in the Memorial Union, assisting in the planning process of large-scale Student Organization events, creating room diagrams in Social Tables, using Event Management Software, and assisting with the training and onboarding of new student staff. My primary responsibility was centered around email communication chains to start the event planning process with students and staff at Iowa State University.

Accomplishments

My greatest accomplishment during my internship experience was gaining a feeling of confidence. I have previously worked in the Event Management Office as a front desk assistant, but in my new role as Student Special Events Coordinator, I grew my skill set and became increasingly knowledgeable about the Memorial Union, policies, room diagramming, and communication. Before this role, I asked my peers many questions and was not as confident in my answers. Now, I am capable of answering new student staff's questions. Taking more of a leadership role in my work has been one of my greatest accomplishments in my experience thus far.

Learning experience

One of the greatest lessons that I have learned from my internship experience is that you will work with many people in the events industry, whether they are your coworkers or clients, and you must be able to communicate and work closely with those individuals. It is also so important to perfect an organizational style that works for you to keep track of multiple events and details at the same time. Perhaps the greatest lesson that I learned is that you must advocate for yourself and know your worth. I learned that my work and my contributions are important and valuable to the office team environment.

What advice would you give?

One piece of advice that I would give to future students in my major is to get involved and try new things. Getting out of your comfort zone is something that I struggled to do as a transfer student, and looking back now I believe that I would have made connections much earlier in my college career if I had gotten more involved and put myself out there. I also think it is necessary to keep an open mind about what sector of events you want to go into. The possibilities are truly endless, and there are so many unique and amazing opportunities available in the events industry if you apply yourself and try new things.