F&M Stories
From Campus Leader to Communications Professional
Catherine Welch ’26 is navigating career exploration with courage and curiosity.
With her sights set on a future in journalism and communications, the English (creative writing) major has already built an extensive resume, serving as an admission
tour guide, WFNM DJ, The College Reporter staff reporter, Kappa Delta president, and senior class president. This semester,
she added one more experience to her professional portfolio: communications and marketing
intern at the Lancaster County Housing & Redevelopment Authorities (LCHRA).
In F&M's home city of Lancaster, Welch found an ideal opportunity at LCHRA to use her passion for writing to address critical social issues in the local community. Her work ranged from drafting news releases to conducting research for a comprehensive terminology guide and educational flyer, both designed to help the community better understand and address homelessness. This hands-on role empowered Welch to explore various facets of communications and marketing and discern what she finds most fulfilling.
“This internship has given me a broader perspective on the field and opened up new
possibilities that I am grateful to explore,” she said.
Welch credited F&M for strengthening the writing and critical thinking skills she leveraged daily in her internship.
“The coursework in my major has prepared me to communicate clearly and thoughtfully,
whether I am writing press materials or researching language around homelessness,”
she said. “The F&M community has also taught me how to approach issues with empathy
and curiosity, which is especially important when working on community-focused communications.”
Welch said her time as an admission tour guide has been one of her favorite parts
of her F&M experience. In this role, she further enhances her communications skillset
by spearheading an internal admission newsletter, The Ambassador, and producing content for F&M’s TikTok.
“These experiences have helped me grow more confident in my public speaking and sparked
a passion for connecting with people on a personal level. I know these skills will
be valuable as I pursue a career in journalism,” she said. “Being a tour guide has
also connected me with some of my closest friends, and I have loved sharing with prospective
students why I believe F&M is such a special place!”
Following her graduation from F&M this May, Welch will return to her home state of
Connecticut to pursue a master’s in communications at Fairfield University.
Your ideas may start in the classroom, but they won’t be contained there. At F&M,
you can connect the things you care about to meaningful experiences, including research,
internships, volunteering, and more.Real-World Learning at F&M
Related Articles
November 11, 2026
From Getting Back on Track to Giving Back: Josh Brown ’28
For Josh Brown ’28, repeated trips to his hometown sports medicine physician gave him more than a path back to competition. They gave him a path toward his future. Now a biology major at F&M, Brown is working toward becoming a physician assistant (PA). “I wanted to be able to make that same difference in people’s lives,” Brown said.
November 9, 2026
From Lancaster Streams to Canadian Lakes: Stephanie Sexton ’27 Puts Science into Action
When she arrived at F&M, Stephanie Sexton ’27 knew she wanted to study environmental science and engage in hands-on fieldwork. This summer, she turned that ambition into action, helping drive cutting-edge initiatives in F&M’s backyard while contributing to a multi-year research project abroad.
November 2, 2026
Career Center Connection Opens Doors at JPMorgan Chase
Thanks to a strategic connection made at F&M's Center for Career and Professional Development, Vinh Dinh ’27 secured a full-time position at JPMorgan Chase. “Knowing my post-graduation path is secure allows me to focus fully on maximizing my final year at F&M,” said Dinh.