July 19, 2017

Intern Profile: Renee Allums-D’Espyne ’18

Rising senior Renee Allums-D’Espyne talks about her summer marketing internship at Zapproved, a tech startup that is a pioneer in developing cloud-hosted software for corporate legal departments.

Major: Rhetoric and Media Studies
Minor: Ethnic Studies
Hometown: Victorville, California

Can you tell us what you’re doing this summer? What are your basic duties as an intern?

I am a marketing content intern at Zapproved, a tech startup that is a pioneer in developing cloud-hosted software for corporate legal departments. My main duty is drafting compelling content to market this software to legal professionals. During my time here I have also worked on promotional efforts for an upcoming conference through emails, postcards, direct mail, and advertisements. Additionally, I manage social media accounts, write blog posts, and produce video content. I’ve also been given the opportunity to take the lead on content projects such as our Engineer Foundation Program and Community Involvement webpages, which are directly being utilized for recruitment efforts.

How has Lewis & Clark supported you in the process of finding, securing, and funding your internship?

Lewis & Clark has supported me in multiple ways to find my internship. First, I took the initiative early on and consulted the Career Center about my desire for a summer internship and made it clear from the start that I was only seeking paid opportunities. From there, the Career Center pointed me to the right resources based on this criteria.

Eventually I came across a recent alum who promoted the company’s internship through social media, and it proved to be exactly what I was looking for. I immediately reached out to express my interest in the position and quickly prepared my resume and cover letter, using the Career Center’s accessible drop-in hours for guidance and feedback.

By having the endorsement and recommendation from a valued associate within the company, my application was instantly set apart.

How do you see this internship leading to a career in your chosen field and aiding in your overall career development?

This internship has helped me practically apply the lessons I’ve learned in and out of the classroom to a real-world, fast-paced professional setting. Heading into my senior year, I am equipped with the knowledge, tools, and connections to confidently seek out opportunities to further develop my career.

As a black woman, the barrier to enter the tech and legal world still remains. Those who look like me have historically been at a disadvantage. By bravely navigating this space, I hope to pave the way for more black women to do the same.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about your experience thus far?

My experience so far has made me excited to keep my talents in Portland.