Kat Billo ’24 will graduate this December with a B.A. in communications studies and participated in a marketing internship, where with the help of the URI CCEE, she gained class credit through the ITR program. Billo will soon start her first job with Baby Delight in social media, production, and marketing.
Why did you choose URI? Your major?
I chose URI because I was looking for a northeastern university with a big, fun, and hardworking community that would help me flourish both personally and academically. When choosing a major, I decided on communication studies, where I could turn my passions into something much greater. I couldn’t be happier with the choice because I am doing just that.
Why did you choose your major?
I chose to major in communications because growing up, I participated in activities like my middle schools morning broadcast show, making YouTube videos, editing, photography and writing. As it came time to decide on a major, I realized I could turn my passions in to my career, and I haven’t looked back since. The Harrington School is the perfect place to learn from a multitude of experienced professors. With the help of our educators, I was able get a well rounded education that gave me and my peers the tools we need to be effective communicators in our respective fields.
What was your favorite class? And how does it help you now?
My favorite class would have to be any public speaking course. These classes teach you the importance of preparation but also the importance of embracing the vulnerability of both you and your classmates. Everyone ends up being really supportive of one another because we all know the anxious feeling of having to get up in front of the class. Once you realize you have that support system, the class becomes really fun, and so do the speeches.
How did internships and hands-on experiences at URI help you after graduation?
Building my resume with internships during my time at URI has been a major part of having success post-graduation. Through networking with my Harrington professors, I was able to intern for URI’s College of Engineering social media channels. From there, I started a marketing internship, where with the help of the CCEE, I gained class credit through the ITR program.
The ITR program was a great way to gain hands on experience all while accelerating me to an early graduation; where I have been able to apply my experiences to my post-grad position in social media marketing for a consumer goods company.
What was your favorite memory?
My favorite memory at URI was Rhody Fest where, just like in the movies, hundreds of students gathered to display and learn all that URI has to offer. Hearing the excitement each student had for their organizations was very inspirational and is a testament to the driven students URI has.
What advice would you give a first-year student?
If I could give any advice to first-year students, it would be to take advantage of all the opportunities that URI and the Harrington School have to offer. This allowed me to start building a resume early on, which has proven to be vital even years later. Also, keeping connections with professors, visiting the Career Center and its advisors, as well as utilizing the ITR program have been invaluable tools throughout my time here at URI.