Camryn Greeley ’25: Campus Connections Boost Internship Learning

Camryn Greeley ’25 is earning real-world experience in the fast-paced world of graphic design through internships. He also appreciates how connections forged within the Emmanuel community are helping to maximize those learning opportunities.

“There’s a lot of great people at Emmanuel,” said Greeley. “I feel very lucky that I got a chance to not only meet them, but also work closely with them to get prepared for the next stage of life.”

A communications major- who is also earning a minor in graphic design- Greeley is handling a wide range of projects as an intern with the AFL-CIO. His focus is on graphic design, producing posters, flyers, and social media assets for the Massachusetts Chapter of the nation’s largest federation of unions. Collaborating on internal and external communications- such as public addresses and speeches- has rounded out the experience.

A young man with a black shirt holding a poster — Camryn Greeley ’25 displays a promotional flyer he designed for a Dropkick Murphys Union Night Fundraiser in March. Greeley designed a wide range of posters, flyers, and social media assets while interning at the AFL-CIO and the Athletics Department at Simmons College.

“It’s been a great opportunity to stretch my creative abilities,” said Greeley.

Meaningful connections are important to Greeley. He’s enjoying the opportunity to work closely with the head of communications at the internship and learn from peers about the impact their work is having. He also has a valuable sounding board on campus, through the English, Writing & Communications Department Internship Course.

Associate Professor of English Dr. Matthew Elliott is teaching the course this spring, and he said it’s about helping students navigate their internships and get the most out of them.

“It’s important for students to have a space to reflect on their internship, and the class provides that,” Dr. Elliott said. “It’s also helpful for them to share their experiences with a cohort of peers, and their professor and career advisor are always there for guidance and support.”

Greeley said it has been a great compliment to the off-campus learning experience.

“It’s really encouraging me to ask questions and get more involved with the work environment,” said Greeley. “It’s been very enriching in that regard.”

Connecting with Emmanuel

Greeley discovered a passion for graphic design as a high school student at Boston Latin Academy. He attended another college in the Boston area for a year, but wanted something closer to home. A couple of his friends were transferring to Emmanuel, and he decided to investigate.

“It sounded like a place with a really nice community,” said Greeley. “I heard a lot of good things and I liked what I saw.”

Associate Professor of Communication & Media Studies Dr. Mark Flynn was one of the first connections Greeley made at Emmanuel. He was helpful both as an Academic Advisor and in getting acclimated to the Emmanuel community.

“He would recommend events, things to check out on campus; he was very helpful with informing me of resources like that,” said Greeley.

A small group of people posting for a photo on the quad — The sense of community at Emmanuel was a major draw for Camryn Greeley ’25 (front) when choosing a transfer destination. Connections he developed with (from left) Dr. Mark Flynn, Dr. Matthew Elliott, and Kristen Fraser from the Career Center helped him get the most out of the experience—both on campus and through internships.

Dr. Flynn said its been a pleasure working with Greeley, and praised his intellectual curiosity and commitment to growth. He added that the opportunity to build lasting relationships through providing advice and guidance is at the heart of what makes the experience at small liberal arts colleges such as Emmanuel so valuable.

“From the first time I met with Camryn, it was clear that he valued the ability to chat outside of class and thoughtfully reflected upon our discussions,” said Dr. Flynn. “Seeing him poised for success is great to see.”

Greeley also connected with a career advisor: Kristen Fraser, the Associate Director for Career & Professional Development at the Career Center. They first met to review his resume and discuss tips for writing cover letters. They’ve stayed in touch since then.

Fraser visited the internship class several times this semester, to facilitate mock interviews for students and give them advice on approaching job search, salary negotiations, and next steps after graduating. It’s all part of what the Career Center does as a resource for students, she said.

A young man wearing a black jacket outside the AFL-CIO offices — Camryn Greeley ’25 at the offices for the Massachusetts Chapter of the AFL-CIO—just a few stops down the Green Line from campus.

“Educating and empowering students to take an active role in their professional development is central to the work we do,” said Fraser. “I love watching that development over time and we are always happy to help students seeking guidance, wherever they are in that process.”

The Career Center previously worked with Greeley to land an internship with the Communications Team for the Athletics Department at Simmons College. While there, his duties included designing graphics to promote upcoming games and posting them on social media.

Looking ahead, Greeley’s goal is to work for an advertising agency. He’s already met a good number of representatives from that field at networking events on campus, and he’s looking forward to taking the next step toward a career in graphic design.

“It’s something that would fit with what I want to get out of my skills,” said Greeley. “Getting the opportunity to meet with a lot of people from the industry has been great.”