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Student Spotlight: Eric Adams '22
The communication major from Virginia Beach completed an on-campus internship with VWU athletics
University News | December 17, 2021
Virginia Wesleyan University senior Eric Adams recently had the opportunity to present during Port Day, a signature VWU event that enables students to share their academic experiences with the greater campus community each semester. Adams, who will graduate in 2022, presented on the lessons learned during his internship and on the value he sees in a liberal arts education.
The communication major from Virginia Beach interned with VWU’s Office of Intercollegiate Athletics under the mentorship of Director of Athletic Communications Alysse Scripter. That experience, along with his coursework and interactions on campus, have helped to prepare him to meet his goals for the future.
What was your role as an intern?
My internship roles included assisting the director of athletic communications with entering data into our website, NCAA record books, and our alumni database. I also worked every job for a game that you can imagine, including the scoreboard, camera, broadcast commentary, stat calling and being a ball boy.
What did you learn during this experience?
I learned what it takes to make an athletic competition run smoothly and how to effectively work with others to get these roles accomplished in a smooth and efficient manner. I also learned great Photoshop skills and the inner workings of an athletic website. I was able to get to know a lot of great people within our organization which has strengthened my professional network. I feel like it has changed the way I perceive the spectacle of sports as a whole, learning that there is so much more than the players and the coaching staff working to get the job done, and the way the different positions in our organization cooperate with each other and communicate taught me a lot about the behind the scenes aspect of sports.
When did you decide to major in communications?
I started out as a biology major at Virginia Wesleyan. My focus changed when I quickly realized biology was not for me, and I did extremely well in the communications classes I took and they all interested me very much. Though I didn’t major in biology, I have been engaged in environmental science activities on campus while at VWU.
What have you most valued during your years at Virginia Wesleyan University?
The greatest value of a liberal arts education is the way it prepares you to work with others and build the relationships necessary to complete jobs and build a professional network of associates. Because we are taught to approach problems and situations from all different perspectives and we have a strong foundation in many different aspects of our education, we are better prepared to think critically in the workplace and in our relationships. This has definitely shaped the way I will work with people in the future and being able to apply these unique perspectives I have been taught to look from in my every day life.
What are your plans after graduation from VWU?
My immediate plans after I graduate are to join the military as an officer, and then transition into the business world, hopefully with a sports franchise or university athletics department.
Visit The Lighthouse: Center for Exploration and Discovery to learn more about internships at Virginia Wesleyan University.