Muhlenberg athletes are spending the summer of 2023 enjoying fantastic experiences on campus, in their hometowns, across the country and even around the world.

Rising junior cheerleader Angela Aquilio, a international studies major, filled many roles and got hands-on experience in public relations while interning at Bernards Township Parks and Recreation Department.

One of my earliest childhood memories is attending summer camp, loving crafts and playing games with other campers and counselors. My parents enrolled both my brother and I in summer camp, where we spent countless days playing intense games of pickup basketball, four square and sharks and minnows in the pool. I knew that if I ever got the opportunity to, I wanted to help kids make the most out of their summer and make lasting friendships like I did.

While searching for internships this past spring, I was looking for an opportunity to expand my real-world experience in marketing and financial fields. I also wanted to improve my professional skills, including my ability to plan events, increase social media engagement for an entity and improve my networking skills with employers, co-workers and members of the community.

I am the summer intern for the Bernards Township Parks and Recreation Department. This internship has allowed me to create promotional materials for the recreation department, improve my knowledge in PR and expand my knowledge immensely. Completing these tasks has provided me with invaluable insight and experience into how a successful municipality excels at providing outstanding services and programs to its residents, including summer camp, recreational programs, concerts, park facility rentals and a municipal golf course for the residents of Bernards Township.

It also helped me see how much effort and dedication each of the members of the Parks and Recreation Department have in their respective roles. Their efforts in coordinating memorable, fun-filled family events for our town (such as Family Fun Night and Membership Appreciation Day) show their dedication and desire to better the lives of residents. My daily efforts have assisted my co-workers and bosses, by doing everything from sorting prizes and games, to brainstorming event and flyer themes.

While this internship involves numerous interesting components, my favorite part by far is visiting the town pool called Pleasant Valley Pool. Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 2:00, I go to the pool to lead crafts and games for the member kids as the Pool Activities Coordinator. I also have substituted a few times as a supervisor for the Liberty Corner Elementary School site of our recreation camp. Both of these experiences were exactly what I was originally looking for in the components of a summer internship, as there is nothing better than interacting with kids on a daily basis and having a positive impact on their artistic, social and emotional development by building a rapport with them.

My time spent in my Management class has had a profound impact on my pursuit of this particular internship. The guidance and suggestions of the Muhlenberg professors, especially my Management professor, Michael Stehlin, and my Theories of International Relations professor, Dr. Lindsay Burt, have both helped guide me in the right direction and find an internship that fit with my personal and professional interests.

The education that I have received at Muhlenberg has extensively prepared me for this marketing and finance opportunity. The coursework within my international studies major has been the perfect rigorous combination of both classes that focus on the changing global landscape and economy and the business world. I believe that the ability to pursue this interdisciplinary major at Muhlenberg has given me the necessary skills to succeed in a wide variety of industries while also learning how to be a better and more personable and marketable businessperson. 

Doing something interesting or unusual this summer or know of a Muhlenberg student-athlete who is? Fill out this form to be included in our Summer Check-In series!