It’s not easy being a Jeannette K. Watson Fellow. Between three summers of interning, weekly professional development seminars, a series of cultural events, and maintaining a stellar GPA, these college students are serious rockstars. And luckily for Fenton, we get to work with two of them at our NYC office this summer.

Without further ado, we invite you to get to know Fenton’s newest interns, Victoria (Via) Abolencia and Kate McQuater!
 

VIA

We asked you to draw something on a mini whiteboard for your photo. Who’s the dog?
My favorite dog breed is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, but since I don’t own one–I guess this cartoon corgi will have to do for now.

In the non-summer seasons, you study at Long Island University. Can you tell us about what you’re learning and how you’re involved on campus?
I am currently a senior majoring in Biology and am pursuing a double minor in English and Anthropology. I was the founder of LIU’s Queer Straight Alliance, a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, Alpha Chi and Sigma Tau Delta Honor Societies, a Q.U.E.S.T. (Quality Undergraduate Expanded Science Training) scholar, as well as a member of the Honors Program and an ESL/Writing tutor for graduate and undergraduate students.

You’re now a second year Watson Fellow. Where did you intern during the first summer?
For my first Watson summer, I interned at Beth Israel Medical Center’s Cancer Research Department where I worked with patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation. I researched the efficacy of animal assisted visits and whether animals (like puppies!) had any effect on lowering the stress levels of cancer patients and improved quality of care.

How did you decide on Fenton for this summer’s internship? (We’re happy you did!)
Thanks – happy I did, too! What attracted me most towards an internship at Fenton was the amazing clientele that we work with, as well as the uniqueness of being a PR firm advocating for social good. After meeting everyone at the office and getting a feel for the personality of the firm, the choice was obvious.

Any hidden talents?
I can wiggle my ears. Please, no requests. It scares the kids.

Mets, Yankees, or neither?
Let’s go, Yankees, let’s go! *clap clap*
 

KATE

Can you explain your lovely illustration? Why the flower?
I grew up on a ranch in the middle of the woods in Michigan. I’ll always be a nature girl at heart.

In the non-summer seasons, you study at Brooklyn College. Can you tell us about what you’re learning and how you’re involved in campus life?
I am an active member of the travel team of BC Forensics and Debate; President of the Newman Club, which runs a community center and free food pantry on campus for all of us hungry broke college students; a volunteer with Global Medical Brigades, traveling to underserved countries in South America to set up and operate functional health clinics. This past year I also created and led a program taking a class of BC students to live at and work with a string of orphanages in India, which I’m hoping CUNY will integrate into yearly programming. I’ve also been involved in Peer Mentoring, CUNY Student Ambassador, and student government. Basically I just have restless leg syndrome.

You’re now a second year Watson Fellow. Where did you intern during the first summer?
Last summer I worked as a Children’s Teaching Fellow for the Wildlife Conservation Society in the Bronx Zoo. It was a challenging job physically, but where else do you get to direct people to your office by saying “make a right at the lionesses and a left at the grizzly bears…if you hit the penguins you’ve gone too far”?

How did you choose Fenton for this summer’s internship? (We’re happy you did!)
Fenton immediately appealed to me because of its consistent and successful method of achieving and surpassing the goals of its clientele. I want to build a career in social enterprise focusing on alleviating poverty in developing countries, and I want to learn more about cause marketing. I know Fenton is the best teacher I could ask for. Cheesy but true.

Got a nickname?
Maybe…but you’ll never get it out of me!

What’s your favorite thing about summer in New York City?
The world’s biggest water-gun fight in Central Park each July! Because nothing says summer like an army of 3000 people throwing cold liquid at you like you’re on fire with a stick of dynamite in your hands.