2 minute read
The Latinamericanist | Fall 2022
Thacher Loutin gains internship experience at UF’s Career Connections Center
Role as Career Engagement Intern offered chance to connect in professional growth
Advertisement
Located in the Reitz Union, the Career Connections Center (C3) at UF is a trove of resources and services for students to discover. For Thacher Loutin (MALAS 2023), the C3 offered career development in the form of an internship. From June until August of 2022, Thacher served as a Career Engagement Intern for the C3, which gave her the opportunity to work directly with students in multiple capacities, from large and small groups to one-on-one coaching. “I couldn’t have asked for a better internship,” Thacher reflects. “Nothing gets me more excited than imparting knowledge and making a meaningful impact.”
Much like the C3’s offerings, Thacher’s internship tasks were numerous and varied. She met with students to coach them on their application materials and career planning. She gave tours and talks on C3, served as a panelist at the Career Engagement Summit, and presented to over 17,000 incoming students at UF’s preview sessions. She also taught a cohort of First Year Florida (FYF) students. FYF classes are designed to connect new students to the support systems in place at UF, both academic and interpersonal.
Thacher Loutin giving a tour in Career Connections Center
Thacher also represented the Center at the C3’s Major and Minor Fair in October, where she chatted with prospective students about Latin American Studies and the opportunities available for undergraduates to get involved. “Thacher has a special ability to connect with students,” says her internship supervisor Alison Noonan. “We were so grateful for her hard work and ability to jump in and help on a moment’s notice.”
Students seeking career guidance and support can visit the C3 website alone and access a wealth of resources, ranging from CV and cover letter samples to professional communications guides and career planning self-assessments. However, the C3’s full spectrum of support comes alive in personal engagement across multiple outlets including career fairs, customized workshops, conferences, and one-on-one coaching. Interns like Thacher are among the personnel who animate the C3’s vision to support, connect, and equip young professionals with the tools they need in the early stages of a successful career path. ◆
