DREAM BIG
Internships in Chicago and learning abroad inspired communication major Gillian Pena
As a communication student at East Carolina University, Gillian Pena has studied in central Europe and interned with three organizations in Chicago.
The Windy City is also her birthplace, having moved to North Carolina when she was 4, and is where she still has family. She’ll move there for good after earning her bachelor’s degree on Dec. 4.
Gillian Pena, right, interned with Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia. (Contributed photo)
“Every time I go back I feel like I’m home. It’s a massive diverse city with so much to offer,” Pena said, noting the architecture, food, people and skyline. “I cannot wait to call this city my home.”
Pena chose communication with a concentration in public relations as her major because she was interested in lobbying, politics or a similar field but wasn’t exactly sure what career to pursue.
“I researched communications and realized no matter what path I took, this degree can be beneficial to me,” she said. “I selected political science as my minor because my civics and economics teacher truly started my love and passion for politics.”
Two summers ago Pena interned with Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia, who oversees one of the busiest municipal offices, serving more than 2 million residents. Valencia is one of only three citywide elected officials, along with the mayor and treasurer.
“She was such an inspiration to have as a boss,” Pena said. “I learned so much about what it takes to communicate to the public and hold an office position.”
Pena also worked with Rodriguez Media Communications led by president Eve Rodriguez Montoya, who has years of experience in communications and public affairs, including as deputy press secretary for former Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “She is my mentor,” Pena said. “She single-handedly became the only Latina run communications company in downtown Chicago.”
Pena learned more about international relations as an intern with New Star Lighting, a global company based in Chicago. “They manufacture and produce commercial, medical, construction and more types of lighting fixtures,” she said. “In fact, when COVID first hit, they were the company supplying the lights for the hospitals across the nation.”
In addition to those internships, Pena said her favorite experience as an undergraduate was studying in Poland and the Czech Republic with peers in the ECU School of Communication in 2018.
Pena stands on Prague’s Charles Bridge in the Czech Republic, where she studied with classmates in the ECU School of Communication in 2018. (Contributed photo)
“My study abroad trip taught me how wide my horizons can be,” she said. “I applied on a complete whim and thought, ‘Why not? I probably won’t get selected anyway.’ It taught me to dream big and inspired me to have a passion for traveling.”
Pena said she chose ECU unknowingly. “I came for a tour not even thinking I would come here and ended up falling in love with the people and the campus,” she said.
As the coronavirus pandemic unfolded, Pena was heartbroken because it canceled plans for a second study abroad trip, another internship and a vacation in Mexico.
She said she’s thankful for her parents and roommates, who have supported her through the ups and downs of dealing with a challenging final year. “I realized I have much more to be grateful for than to focus on the negatives this pandemic has brought,” she said. “I guess it will be pretty cool to have a unique graduation that won’t ever be forgotten.”
The 22-year-old hopes to work in a communications agency after graduation.