AU digital media student loving second summer internship with Certified Angus Beef
Ashland University student Claudia Adcock is doing something this summer that rarely happens at Certified Angus Beef (CAB).
“We had the opportunity to bring her back as a second-year intern, which is something we almost never do,” said Mark Merryweather, senior visual producer at CAB. “It is because we loved Claudia so much last summer, I begged to have her back, and fortunately we were able to do just that.”
Adcock, who will be a senior at AU studying digital media when the 2023-24 academic year begins later this month, has been editing videos for social media and events, as well as assisting with video and photo shoots both on- and off-site as a studio production intern for CAB, which is headquartered in Wooster, Ohio.
“It has been so great to be back with some of the best co-workers,” Adcock said, “and it is just such a blessing and joy to be able to work with them again and be able to learn something new each day from them.”
Unlike last year, when she had to adapt fast to everything from editing style, deadlines and shooting equipment, Adcock was able to jump right back into the internship this year without having to be taught everything again.
“I think it helps not only me, but also my team as it saves us time and we’re able to send out content faster,” said Adcock, one of four interns on the CAB communications team this summer. “My team is everything to me, and they are a great team to be around. They not only are excited to teach me new things, but also are so patient through it all.”
While Adcock’s duties include mostly videography and photography, other responsibilities for communications team interns include public relations, copywriting, design and social media.
At the end of her sophomore year at AU in May 2022, Adcock said she didn’t have any expectations to do an internship that summer, planning to wait until summer 2023.
Her plans changed quickly when her oldest sister sent her a job link for CAB’s studio production internship.
“It caught my interest, and they were looking for everything I was currently doing in school and with the experience I already had, I thought I might as well apply – plus it was close to home,” said Adcock, who is from Orrville, which like Wooster, is in Wayne County, Ohio. “My other sister – I have five older sisters, ha, ha – works at Certified Angus Beef as a part of their culinary team and enjoys working there, so I thought it would be cool to work there.”
Traveling for video and photo shoots has been her favorite aspect of the internship. Last year, she traveled to Chicago and Charleston, West Virginia, to put together video of restaurants, distributors, stores, etc. for CAB’s annual conference. This year, Adcock she will be traveling to Grand Rapids, Michigan, to put together those type of photos and videos.
Because the CAB communications team members enjoyed working with Adcock so much last summer, they invited her to continue working with them in the fall and spring, which she happily accepted.
“I would say my second favorite thing I have done would be our test kitchen video shoots,” Adcock said. “I get to set up and spend time with the team and our chefs making content of new recipes and such.
“Plus, who doesn’t like getting to try the food, as well,” Adcock added.
In addition to choosing AU for its digital media program, Adcock came to the university to play tennis.
Like her team at CAB, Adcock said she loves how close everyone on AU’s women’s squad is.
“We all have such a passion for tennis, and it’s fun to compete, have fun, travel together and, most of all, make so many memories,” said Adcock, who also is a part of AU’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes organization.
Besides learning videography and photography in her classes at AU and at her internship with CAB, Adcock also has started doing wedding photography and videography this year.
As far as her plans after graduating in May 2024, Adcock said she is keeping her options open.
Whatever career path Adcock pursues, Merryweather said she will succeed. He said Ashland University has a lot to do with that.
“Not only do we have Claudia for this summer, but we have also been able to hire Wesley Seyfang, a former student at Ashland,” Merryweather said. “Whatever you are doing at the university to get your students ready for the real world is definitely working because both of them are more prepared, more engaged, and have a higher level of knowledge and experience than most folks we interview.
“I know that is part of who they are, but Ashland University must be doing a great job in getting them prepared for their careers,” Merryweather added.