Once a Levine, always a Levine. – Will Britt ’22 and Lauren Martin ’22
Tuesday, July 14, 2020
Hi, I am Will Britt. I am a Levine Scholar and Belk Scholar at UNC Charlotte, studying Marketing. 2020 has been a whirlwind for me as it has been for everyone, and looking back; it feels like March was years ago. Before March, I spent months planning and getting ready for a Summer Abroad in Spain- then backpacking throughout Europe. Let me tell you, it was going to be EPIC. However, when the pandemic hit everything was quickly cancelled, and I was left in a spot of uncertainty about what, if anything, my summer would hold.
Hi, I am Lauren Martin. I am a Levine Scholar at UNC Charlotte studying Accounting as well as Operations and Supply Chain Management. In March 2020, my entire world was flipped upside-down, when I was forced to move off-campus and had to return home. Along with the unexpected move home, my study abroad program to Rome that I had been planning for months was canceled. This led me to a sinking feeling that summer 2020 was not going to be the wonderful summer I had hoped it to be, or at least until I received an email from Dr. Z.
As she does, Dr. Z swooped in and saved the day, saying that she had a possible virtual (this scared me) internship opportunity with a former Levine Scholar, Kevin Caldwell, at Zuryc, a local tech start-up. Zuryc was offering its first-ever Sales and Marketing Internship. After interviewing with Kevin, the Director of Sales Support, and Kent, the Director of Marketing, I knew it was an incredible opportunity to be a part of. And despite having no knowledge of how to conduct a virtual internship, I had hoped I aced my interview; I wanted this internship.
On May 18th, I finally saw a light at the end of the tunnel, when Kevin Caldwell, Levine Scholar from 2015, offered me an internship. He asked if I would be interested in being one of two Sales and Marketing Interns for Zuryc. I was very grateful for the opportunity but I was hesitant because I never thought of working in the marketing field.
Looking back, I am so happy and grateful that I was given the opportunity to work with Zuryc this summer. Now, about halfway through my internship, I feel that I have learned so much and grown each and every day while working with Zuryc. My fears of working virtually were quickly put to rest, as I have had constant contact with everyone I am working with, and I truly feel I have gotten as much out of this experience as I would have if it was in-person (also being able to wear sweatpants and a sweatshirt while working is not the worst thing in the world). I have been able to listen in and participate in many meetings, participate in marketing campaigns, learn about different programs, and be in contact with many individuals working and thriving in the business industry.
Now four weeks into my internship, I am beyond appreciative that I was able to step outside of my comfort zone. I have been exposed to everything from creating a prospecting list from scratch to presenting my projects to a multi-million dollar financial advisor. If it had not been for the Levine Scholars family, I would not have this wonderful opportunity as well as something to look forward to during this troubling time.
We hope that opportunities to work with Levine Scholar Alumni continue to become available for other scholars, as working with Kevin at Zuryc has been a great experience.
Once a Levine, always a Levine.