SRQ MEDIA is delighted to introduce the interns selected to participate in the company’s long-standing Summer Intensive Internship Program including Gabriella Alfonso, Grace Castilow, and Winona Nasser. Engaging with the team remotely, this year’s interns join the team to develop their applied knowledge in marketing and advertising, editorial and art and design. SRQ MEDIA founded the program over a decade ago to provide young professionals entering or continuing their post-secondary work with context, exploration and deep dives into the areas in which they have found passion. Having hosted over 200 interns in the company’s 20+ years, SRQ MEDIA made a commitment to continue the Summer Intensive program during the CoronaVirus pandemic knowing the inherent challenges that have emerged in the media industry would be an incredibly rewarding learning experience for both the company and its interns.
Gabriella Alfonso, Marketing and Advertising Associate, is a student at the University of South Florida seeking a Bachelor of Sciences in Integrated Public Relations and Advertising. She is currently an active member of both the Advertising Club and the Public Relations Student Society of America at USF. Gabriella is eager to expand her knowledge and experience through guidance with SRQ MEDIA.
“I first heard about this opportunity through my extensive Google internship search and SRQ MEDIA popped up,” says Gabriella. “I’ve been living in the Sarasota area for about 16 years now. I love how this area is constantly growing! Whether it is with the growing skyline or its appreciation within the arts, this area is beautiful and deserves to have more recognition!” When Gabriella is not working with SRQ MEDIA, she loves to explore nature parks, soak up the Florida sun at Anna Maria Island, and play with her two dogs, Dutchess and Luna.
Currently pursuing a double major in Media and Communication Studies and Editing, Writing and Media at Florida State University, Grace Castilow joins the team as this summer’s Editorial Associate. Grace is involved in numerous editorial works during college including being a Brand Development Specialist with the Florida State Fraternity and Sorority Life as well as a Staff Writer and Social Media Coordinator for Her Campus FSU.
“I heard about this internship from a Teacher’s Assistant for an advertising course I took at FSU who was formerly an editorial intern at SRQ MEDIA. I reached out to her and she encouraged me to apply for the position,” says Grace. Born and raised in Sarasota, Grace loves that every connection she has made she is greeted with “kindness and acceptance, which is something you don’t find in every coastal city.” Grace has been “writing” since before she could spell and hopes to write a novel of her own someday.
Lastly, Winona Nasser joins the team as Art and Design Associate. A student at the University of Florida, Winona seeks a Bachelor of Science in the Advertising, agency track. Before working with SRQ, Winona started working with Purility Therapeutics, a startup CBD company as their graphic designer. She has also started her own freelance multimedia design business, Winona Media.
“I was looking for an internship where I could flex my creative muscles every day and learn more about different design disciplines,” says Winona. “I came across the internship listing on LinkedIn or on the SRQ MEDIA website after Googling local creative companies. I applied after reading about the company’s great community initiatives, and really liked that SRQ seemed like a rewarding place to grow as a young professional.” Some fun facts about Winona are that her elbows are double-jointed, she is fluent in three different languages, and does competitive Greek folk dance on the weekends.
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