OSPA Internship Journey: Growth, Creativity, and Routine
Working as an intern at Washington State University’s Office of Strategy, Planning, and Analysis (OSPA) has been an enlightening and transformative experience and has been a stepping stone for my personal and professional development. Through the lens of my internship at OSPA, I’d like to share the lessons I’ve learned and the moments that have defined my journey.
Mastering Video Editing Tricks
During my internship, I played a key role in the Catch the Vision campaign for Strategy, Planning, and Analysis at WSU. My main focus was video editing using Adobe Premiere Pro, where I mastered techniques like light masking, face tracking, and managing multiple audio sources. I worked on diverse projects, including videos for individual interviews aligning with the strategic plan and annual report themes and a campaign highlighting WSU’s new vision statement. This hands-on experience sharpened my creativity, attention to detail, and storytelling skills. The acquired skills have significantly enriched my portfolio and will be invaluable in my post-college career.
In-Depth Projects: Catch the Vision Video
Starting early on in my employment, I was tasked with searching for the best quotes from several different interviews from students, faculty, and staff from each WSU campus. Building a video script from interviews and transcripts was a collaborative experience trying different combinations of insights and quotes until the script was finalized with what is now the primary promotional material for our Catch the Vision video. One of the toughest choices for me in making this video was deciding whose interviews would be used.
Navigating the Professional Environment
The transition from the classroom to a professional office setting was a significant learning curve. OSPA provided a nurturing and friendly environment that made this transition smoother. Working in a professional setting has helped me grow both personally and professionally, equipping me with essential skills such as problem solving, time-management, and translating skills from the classroom to an office environment. I was fortunate to be part of a communication team that fostered collaboration and supported personal growth. The friendly atmosphere at OSPA made integration into the workplace seamless, and I felt like a valued member of the team. One of the highlights for me in this experience was the weekly meetings with the communications team at OSPA where we would all showcase what we were working on for that week and give valuable critiques to each other.
Preparing for the Future
Looking ahead, I’m grateful for how my OSPA internship, specializing in video editing, is shaping my path towards a future at an advertising agency. The skills I’ve gained and the hands-on experience have solidified a foundation for my post-college journey. Now, I’m excited about the opportunities ahead thanks to the valuable lessons learned during my time at OSPA.
About the Author
Hunter Snyder is a Strategic Communications Intern for the communications team in the office of Strategy, Planning, and Analysis. Hunter will graduate on December 9, 2023 with a degree in Strategic Communication from the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication.