For JWU students, internships are an integral part of their education — 86% of JWU students complete one before graduating. They offer an opportunity to gain real-world experience, build professional connections and explore future career paths. Charlotte Kane ’27, a Design major currently interning with the American Hockey League (AHL), is a clear example of how important internships can be. She is gaining valuable experience while following her passion for both design and sports, using what she has learned in the classroom and successfully managing a balance between work, school and life.

Kane first discovered her passion for design while creating posters for athletics teams as a high school student. That passion only intensified when she joined a graphic communications program where her teacher, Delia Nelson, helped her realize that a career in design was not only possible, but within reach.  

As a Rhode Island native, JWU’s Providence Campus was always on Kane’s radar, but it wasn’t until she applied, got accepted and attended Accepted Students Day that she knew it was the perfect place for her. “That’s what really sold my family and me on JWU,” she says. “Everyone was so welcoming, authentic and enthusiastic that we couldn’t help but feel like Wildcats already. They really went above and beyond answering any questions, making student-professor connections and overall making us feel like they wanted us to be there.” 

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Now a senior in the Design program, Kane credits JWU’s hands-on, project-based learning curriculum for helping her develop the skills she now uses every day as a graphic design intern with the AHL. Through her coursework, she gained experience in Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator while strengthening her communication, organization and work ethics. Outside of the classroom, Charlotte remains invested in campus life. As a student assistant for the JWU Athletic Communications Department, she creates content for the @JWUWildcatsPVD social media accounts. She has also created “Wildcat Wonderings” an Instagram series that showcases the personalities of athletes in addition to their game-time performances. 

Kane has also explored opportunities through the Advertising Club, including attending the American Advertisement Federation conference in New York where she gained valuable insight into marketing and advertisement. She is also gaining additional experience through the Design Team course, where Design students take on real client projects that require working as a team to conceive and create a variety of deliverables. The course also teaches students professional skills like how to communicate with a client, conduct research, develop creative solutions to problems and manage their time.  

How Kane Found Her AHL Internship

Kane’s journey to the AHL began in a JWU classroom. In one of her design courses, an alumni speaker named Kristina Faiola ’22 presented to the class. Faiola is the manager of creative services for the AHL, and she shared meaningful insights about her role and the extensive brand guide development for the league’s 90th season. 

During her presentation, she also mentioned that she was the sole member of the creative services department at the time and hoped to create an internship position in the future.  

“As a JWU alum and graduate of the design program, I have a personal connection to the school and can relate to the experiences and challenges students face as they prepare to enter the industry,” says Faiola. “I enjoy being able to connect with and mentor students who are in a similar position to where I once was.” 

Inspired by both Faiola’s accomplishments and her leadership in the sports industry, Kane reached out through LinkedIn. She expressed how much she admired Faiola’s work, appreciated her presentation and valued seeing a woman thrive in a traditionally male-dominated field. That simple message became the start of a professional connection that would lead to the internship opportunity with the AHL. 

Throughout the interview process, Charlotte became even more excited about the possibility of joining the organization. 

After two initial interviews with Faiola, Kane also completed a final interview with Sean Lavoine, the vice president of marketing and licensing. By the end of the interview process, Kane felt there was a great deal she could learn from the company, while also believing she had valuable ideas and perspectives to contribute. She appreciated the care the organization took in selecting candidates and was grateful for the opportunity to become a part of the AHL family.  

Life as an AHL Graphic Design Intern

As a graphic design intern, Kane works directly under Faiola in a remote position based out of the AHL’s Springfield, Massachusetts office. Despite working remotely, Kane still feels very included thanks to virtual team meetings with departments like social media, merchandise, streaming, stores and design. These meetings allow for clear communication between the departments while giving Charlotte clear insight into how large-scale creative projects come together. 

Each week, Kane meets with Faiola through Google Meet to discuss upcoming projects and priorities. Faiola also sends detailed emails before the meeting to allow Kane time to prepare questions and organize her work.  

“It’s been rewarding to see the creativity, enthusiasm and fresh perspective Charlotte brings to the team,” Faiola says. “Charlotte has a lot of drive and has been super attentive and adaptive to working in such a fast-paced environment. I’ve been very impressed by her creativity and independence in her role. I’ve enjoyed sharing my experiences and knowledge while also giving her opportunities to contribute to real-world projects and gain experience in the professional sports design field.” 

No two days look the same. Depending on her school schedule and internship responsibilities, Kane’s weekly projects can include merchandise graphics, weekly email blasts, website updates, Instagram graphic templates or promotional sales graphics. This variety keeps her learning and continuously developing new skills. 

Balancing School and Work

Managing a full course load, internship responsibilities, campus involvement and a part-time job requires organization. To stay on top of everything, Kane relies heavily on Google Calendar and reminder systems to keep track of deadlines and commitments.  

Like many students, she has had to make difficult decisions about how to spend her time. While initially serving as social media manager for a JWU student organization, she eventually chose to step back to balance her coursework, internship and employment responsibilities.  

This experience highlights an important lesson: Success is about prioritizing the opportunities that help you grow the most. 

Seizing Opportunities at JWU

“JWU has been vital in preparing me for my role as an intern,” Kane says. The hands-on, project-based curriculum allowed me to hone in on my time management skills, communication and work ethic.”  

Kane also notes that JWU does an excellent job supporting students and connecting them with opportunities. One of the most important pieces of advice she shares is to stay connected with professors, who frequently post freelance work, outside projects and internship openings. Alumni speakers in classes are also a frequent event at JWU and can lead to new connections just like it did for Kane. 

Her story serves as a reminder that internships often begin with a simple step: going to class, attending a presentation, asking a question or reaching out to someone whose work inspires you. 

For students wondering whether they can balance it all, Kane’s experience offers an encouraging answer. With curiosity, initiative and a willingness to seize opportunities, it’s possible to gain meaningful professional experience while making the most of your college journey.