- by Kristen Gallagher

Regina shows off one of the many advertisements she created while interning with Home Depot.

Regina Balut, a 21-year old Wilkes-Barre native is coming to the end of her college career.   She's completed her core classes, excelled in her Communications courses and now the real test, she's looking for a job!

Like many King's student's, Regina took advantage of the innumerable internship opportunities available throughout the area as well as in surrounding venues. 

During the summer of 1999, Regina completed an internship with Home Depot, located in South Plainfield, New Jersey.  This venture allowed her to effectively implement her graphic design skills in the advertising department of this large branch.  As production artist, Regina laid out pages for catalogs, newspaper advertisements, and various specialty pieces for Home Depot stores from Maine to New Jersey.   Three months later, she was offered a job in South Plainfield, but instead she requested an interview with the Boston branch of this growing franchise.

Was it luck, you may ask? This may often be the case, but for Regina, it was a combination of skills that opened the doors of opportunity.  While interning, Regina said her co-workers were amazed at the amount of graphic knowledge she posessed.   "They couldn't believe how thorough my use of Quark XPress, Illustrator and the Photoshop programs was.  I was more than prepared for the workplace."

Throughout her time at King's, Regina took advantage of the various desktop publishing courses offered to Mass Communications student's.  As a result, Regina is waiting to hear from a corporation that continues to expand daily, offering opportunities to people throughout the country.  The best part is that Regina is not alone. 

There are opportunities available to all Mass Communications students.  Internships often lead to jobs and successful careers.  Regina is a perfect illustration of what King's can offer students looking to excel in the field of graphic design.  "I loved it," Regina said.  Obviously they liked her attitude, her skills, and her readiness for the Workplace 2000.  It is a tribute to Regina and to the background she received at King's.  Ready set, here she comes!