“At the project's end, the people at Honda loved our slogans, images, and advertising tactics, which led to our winning $2,500 for the Department of Marketing and an Honorable Mention from the Scholastic Achievement Awards.”
“I was attracted to the seemingly opposing aspects of the major, English with emphasis in Business. Literature and writing improve my business communication skills, while knowing how to connect with consumers helps me understand and write for an audience. To me, the connection is seamless,” says senior Erin Sobel.
“What drives me is my passion for people. I like to do everything I can to make others happy. Marketing is all about helping people, establishing business and consumers’ needs, and bringing a solution to them,” she says.
Erin recently completed a prestigious marketing internship with American Honda Motors for the Accord Coupe Marketing Challenge, in which students from 20 universities nationwide competed. Working with EdVenture Partners, Erin’s Advanced Marketing class put together a campaign to promote the Accord to those in the Generation Y age group. “As an agency coordinator, I had my hand in every aspect of the campaign—events, advertising, promotional giveaways, presentations, public relations, press releases, and a formal report. At the project’s end, the people at Honda loved our slogans, images, and advertising tactics, which led to our winning $2,500 for the Department of Marketing and an Honorable Mention from the Scholastic Achievement Awards.”
She is now interning with Tallahassee’s Rowland Publishing, which owns numerous publications, including Tallahassee Magazine, Bay Life, Emerald Coast, and Forgotten Coast. “I could not have dreamed up a better internship. Everyday I am excited about my assignments, whether I’m conducting interviews, writing features, learning the trafficking process, or assisting on photo shoots.”
As treasurer of the Lambda Iota Tau English Literature Honor Society, Erin used her newly acquired Business expertise to manage funds, and as a Board member, she helped organize events, including a literary contest for local high school students.
To gain a broader perspective of the world, Erin has taken advantage of “two amazing travel opportunities.” Through Hillel at FSU, and sponsored by its umbrella organization, Birthright, Erin traveled with students from around the U.S. on a 10-day trip to Israel. “The experience was nothing short of incredible. We climbed Mount Masada to watch the sun rise, rode camels in the Negev Desert, floated in the Dead Sea, befriended Israeli soldiers, volunteered at an elementary school, ate delicious Shawarma, visited the Holocaust Museum, and prayed at the Western Wall.”
Last summer through FSU’s International Programs, Erin spent six weeks in Valencia, Spain. “It was the best summer of my life. The Spanish culture is beautiful. My professor, who led us through the city, enabled us to appreciate the culture to its fullest—traveling to beaches, being certified to taste wine, and learning how to make authentic paella.”
Regarding her plans following graduation, Erin says, “I am going to take advantage of all the great, real world experience I have gained at FSU. My education has prepared me for so many different careers, and I look forward to exploring all my options.”