Addie Radandt

Major: Communication Arts (Communication Science & Rhetorical Studies)

Certificate: Digital Studies

Graduation Date: May 2019

How did you end up working at Affiliated Engineers, Inc.?

Right after graduation I ended up taking an unpaid internship at BRAVA Magazine as an Editorial Intern. This internship gave me crucial exposure to creating long-form website content, and I wrote several articles about local events and businesses. When that internship ended, I was eventually able to secure a copywriting internship with ABS Global Inc.

During my time at ABS, I created content for the company’s website, social accounts, and newsletters. There was a lot of talk about me joining the company full time at the beginning of my internship, but unfortunately, the pandemic hit and all of that talk stopped.

When my ABS internship inevitably came to an end, I was fortunate enough to get a temp position with Kohl’s corporate as a Merchandise Writer/Quality Assurance Specialist. While I was working at Kohl’s I still continued my search for a full time position and I finally got my job at AEI at the end of January 2021.

What does a typical day in the office look like for you?

I work for an engineering consulting firm that provides mechanical, electrical, piping/plumbing, sustainable planning, etc. building design services across various industries (Higher Education, Science & Technology, Healthcare, etc.). We also have several ongoing contracts with UW-Madison and other Universities across the U.S. Each office day tends to be slightly different depending on the different projects we pursue.

I am part of a marketing team that is responsible for writing, editing, organizing, and producing client-targeted marketing materials, and collateral/communications targeted at both internal and external audiences. This includes but is not limited to, proposal content generation, blog writing, database management, and social media.

How has Digital Studies influenced your career path?

My Digital Studies certificate gave me the background I needed to gain a basic understanding of website content generation and, according to my supervisor at the time, it gave me the leg up I needed in securing my editorial internship. That first editorial internship was critical to building my writing portfolio, and without my certificate I’m not sure I would have gotten that first position.

Do you have any advice for current students?

Internships are key to building your portfolio. Start looking for industry related internships earlier than you think you have to, and don’t be afraid to go after positions that might seem a bit above your head. A lot of companies are willing to teach you the necessary skills as long as you prove that you’re willing to learn.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career thus far?

I’m proud of the fact that I was able to come out of the pandemic with a full-time career. Job hunting in 2020 was less than ideal, with many companies downsizing or pausing their hiring practices. I think I applied to over 200 different positions across the midwest, and there were many times where I was beginning to worry if I would ever get that first career-level job. But I kept applying even as I was working as a temp, and I eventually got my Marketing Coordinator position.