Summer Interns 2014- Kelsey McGuirk

Kelsey McGuirk is an Executive Human Resources Intern at Target this summer. She will be a senior business management student as well the community service committee chair this fall.  

Kelsey is learning store operations, human resources processes and leadership skills within the store. Her favorite part about her internship so far is learning the ins and outs of the human resources field.

“There are so many facets to that job title that not everyone knows of,” Kelsey said.

Kelsey feels that the most difficult part of her internship has also been the greatest teaching tool for her.

“So far I would say the hardest part is coming into work every day with new challenges ahead of me and something different to do,” she said. “No day is ever the same, which is a great way to have variety in my job.”

We look forward to hearing more about her internship soon!

Summer Interns 2014- Katherine Graubard

Katherine Graubard is a 4th year telecommunications and marketing student. She will be serving as the InterChapter Relations Chair this fall. She is currently interning at NBC6 in Miami, Florida. A typical day for Katherine can include attending meetings, working with some of the best in the news business, controlling the speed of the script through the prompter, shadowing street reporters, witnessing the production of stories firsthand, and writing stories for the evening newscast.

Katherine is fascinated by the amount of work that goes into the stories before they air. She explained that they first start with the interviews then to script writing then through editing and then finally to anchors to read during the show. Katherine then gets to sit in the control room and watch the producers direct the show.

“This internship has allowed me to see how a newscast goes from a bunch of ideas to a television segment and how everyone plays a huge role including the reporters, producers, editors and production crew,” Katherine said.

Katherine said that even though her internship can get really hectic and stressful with the influx of breaking news and meeting deadlines, that it has shown her that being a producer is something she truly wants to do upon graduation.

“I have enjoyed every moment of my time at station,” Katherine said.

We are very proud of the work Katherine is doing with her internship, and we look forward to seeing all the great things she does in news production!

Summer Interns 2014- Ian Karelin

Ian Karelin, a 4^th year chemical engineering student and AVP of the feedback committee, is currently interning at Clarkson Aerospace in Houston, Texas.

Clarkson Aerospace is a small, private military research firm that primarily does work for the Air Force.

Ian uses a variety of engineering software like MATLAB and Simulink to solve problems to help with the research Clarkson Aerospace does. The project Ian is working on will eventually be published in a scientific journal.

"I like that I am doing actual engineering work," Ian said. 

He also finds it very exciting to be working in the same building as Homeland Security and the Department of Defense.

We are proud to see Ian and our other brothers doing great things this summer!

Summer Interns 2014 - Stephen Bolden

As a professional development fraternity, our brothers are always looking for ways to build upon their professional experiences and prepare for the working world ahead of them. Many of our brothers are currently participating in internships across the country with various different companies.

One of these brothers is Stephen Bolden, PC Fall 2012 and our next Alpha Phi Warden. We got the chance to find out a little bit about what he is doing as an intern at P&G in Charlotte.

Stephen began his internship with Procter & Gamble on May 19th in Charlotte, NC. He is working in P&G's Customer Business Development (CBD) function. "The CBD function is such an exciting business within P&G, and I love being a part of it. My job is very multifaceted, and each day I learn something new, whether it be about marketing, advertising, or sales," Stephen said.

Throughout the summer he will be working on a diverse array of projects with world-renowned, billion dollar brands, such as Tide, Old Spice, Crest, and Pampers. So far he is thoroughly enjoying the experience and loves working in a fast-paced environment with intelligent people.

 We look forward to hearing more about all Stephen accomplishes in the next few months and his experiences in Charlotte as well!

Keep checking back to see what some of our other brothers are doing this summer, both here and abroad.

Pledging Alpha Kappa Psi Changes Your College Experience

The only way to understand how much pledging can influence your college experience is to pledge. The Alpha Kappa Psi chapter at the University of Florida strives to shape pledges into professional brothers who will positively influence the business world. The process aims to improve interviewing and public speaking skills, and to make networking connections that will continue into future careers. This semester we have compiled quotes from current pledges describing the pledging process and how the process has affected them personally.

"My favorite part of pledging so far has been having the incredible opportunity to make bonds that will last for a lifetime."- William Wu

"I think that I have most improved on my confidence and public speaking."- Sabreena Davidson

"My favorite part of pledging has been meeting so many new, ambitious and diverse group[s] of people. I have loved watching how our pledge class has grown and the family we have created."- Justine Gordon

"I've learned so much through the pledging process. Alpha Kappa Psi has prepared me for such a wide variety of professional experiences that I am confident in my ability to surpass any competition for future interviews and endeavors."- Kelsie Ozanne

Pledge Retreat Spring 2014

Professional Trip, Initiation, and Semester Wrap Up!

It's been a busy semester for the Alpha Phi chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi!

In October, a group traveled to New York City for this semester's professional trip. The trip included office visits with Ernst and Young, an exclusive tour at Macy's and plenty of sightseeing! A huge thank you to this semester's Professional Team for making it happen!

The Professional office visit at the EY office in Times Square!

We also celebrated the end of the pledging semester by welcoming the pledge class of Fall 2013 into the Brotherhood! We are very proud of them and all that they have achieved! We look forward to integrating them into the AKPsi and are eager to see what they contribute to the fraternity.

As the semester concludes, we are busy with exams and preparing for Elections and Blue Sapphire! Best of luck to all those running for positions and final exams. Enjoy the holidays, and we'll see you in the spring!

 
-by Brother Leanna Scachetti

Alpha Phi Brothers & Day of Difference

Another semester means another day to make a difference in the Gainesville community. For many students at the University of Florida, Day of Difference is one of their favorite parts of the semester.  Enactus has continued to host this event for the past five years, and Alpha Kappa Psi’s Alpha Phi Chapter is especially proud of its brothers who participated this year.  For some brothers, they enjoy knowing that they made a difference while others are easily satisfied by seeing the smiles on the children’s faces at the end of the day.  Below are some AKPsi brother reactions to Day of Difference and how it has and will continue to impact their lives.  

Jake Buckels

 I really wanted to help out in the community and make a positive impact on the lives of young kids. Before this semester’s Day of Difference, I had previously volunteered for it during the fall 2012 semester. The most memorable aspect was seeing the smiles on the faces of the kids and how happy they were during the day. It wasn’t hard to tell that they will remember this day for a long time. I would recommend others to do it because not only do you make an impact on the kids, the kids will have an impact on your life. It will be a day that you will never forget.

Maggie Trychel

 I loved the idea of being able to help young kids though teaching them financial literacy and values vital to life. I had never participated before but I was really excited to this semester because I had heard about it last semester after the event. The most memorable aspect would definitely have to be when we were leaving our class and all of the kids got up and ran to give us hugs goodbye. It was truly such a rewarding moment and experience overall. Yes! I would of course recommend others volunteer, you're helping kids and this elementary school while having a blast teaching and making an impact on their lives. It's such an awesome experience and I would definitely recommend it because I know I'm for sure going back.

Brianna Bubbles Francis-Keane

I heard about Day of Difference through another organization I was a part of a year ago. I really wanted to do it then but I heard that they required training and I didn't think I had the time to commit to be trained. I waited a year and then decided to do it and realized training was only a few hours of one day, not bad at all. This was my first time participating and I loved every second of it. I love working with kids and with all the experience I have working with kids Day of Difference went so smoothly. The highlight of my time working with them was being able to break down the material to them and really trying to teach them to make sure they understood what was going on. I tell as many people as I can about Day of Difference, I think it is an amazing opportunity and it is a great way to give back in a powerful way. You really do form bonds with the children in that short period of time and it is so enjoyable and delightful. My experience was one I wouldn't trade for anything in the world, I had such a wonderful time I'm trying to be a regular volunteer or class mentor for that school now.

Brittany Kroop

 After being at UF for 3 years, I finally had a class schedule with a Friday off that let me volunteer for Day Of Difference. For one day the student becomes the teacher as we go back to elementary school and remember why we loved going to school every day. Recess, library, story time, and fun coloring activities are just a snapshot into my day. After preparing our lessons the day before (I was paired with two AKPsi brothers Alia and Brenda) we walked into our classroom confident and excited to teach our Kindergarten class. I was nervous even though I knew that these kids were just excited to have a new teacher for a day, but I had nothing to be nervous about because the day went swimmingly! Even though the lesson plans are pre-set and everything is supplied via Junior Achievement it was so much fun to be the teacher and interact with the children. My most memorable moment was outside the classroom during playground when a couple of girls took special interest in teaching me ‘hand-clapping’ games. It brought me back to my days in elementary school with my eagerness for knowledge, adventure, and fun. I really hope that my schedule allows me to volunteer next semester because it really is a great experience that helps you grow, and see what it’s like on the other side.

Jele’cia Jae Milton

 What first interested me in Day of Difference was the knowing that I would be giving back to the community that I grew up. Making a difference in a child's life has always been something important to me. Children are our future, so, as an adult we all have to lay a good foundation down for them. I had never participated or even heard of Day of Difference before this year, but I'm definitely glad I participated, because it was fulfilling and quite a memorable. But, the most memorable aspect was when the kids became so attached to me. I ate lunch with them and went to recess. I had four kids literally attached to me because they wanted to hold my hand, so I told two to hold my arms and the other two to hold my hands. Seeing how they looked up to me and wanted me to stay was definitely a great memory to have. This experience is something I'll never forget and I definitely have, and will continue to encourage others to participate. Chances are I will continue to do it for the rest of my years in college.

Kelsey McGuirk

Day of Difference was introduced to me through Alpha Kappa Psi as an opportunity to team up with Junior Achievement to teach at an elementary school for a day. I love tutoring and working with kids to help them learn, so this was a great opportunity for me to give back. I have not previously participated in Day of Difference, but am glad I got to do so this year. The most memorable aspect was being there to witness the class understanding the material that my group and I were teaching. I had the pleasure of teaching a Kindergarten class so even though the children could get rowdy and off focus, it was so much fun to watch them learn the material over the course of the day, and have fun while doing so.  I would definitely recommend volunteering for Day of Difference! It is a lot of fun and a great experience.

Day of Difference takes place every semester: the Fall semester teaches kindergarten through second grade, while spring teaches third through fifth grade.  Day of Difference is at different schools to reach as many elementary students as possible.  We are proud of all the brothers that participated this year and cannot wait until next semester. So, sign up through Enactus for a life changing experience next semester! http://ufenactus.org/dayofdifference2013/

-by Brother Gretchen Fisk