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.

Real-World Learning at F&M

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.

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