Riley Bazemore

Describe your job and internship search process. What were some challenges you faced or things you learned from it?
   I was beyond excited when I received an offer for E&J Gallo Winery's Summer 2020 Sales Internship program. Throughout the experience, I learned so much about Gallo's amazing culture, sales training programs, and opportunities to grow myself and career within Gallo. It solidified my wanting to work there full-time after graduation. Upon the end of the internship program, I was offered a full-time role post-graduation with E&J Gallo Winery. I accepted the offer within the week! I cannot wait to start my career at E&J Gallo Winery after my graduation in May 2021.

I started my job and internship search process in my junior year here at FSU. In my junior year, I really wanted to land an internship for the summer, which was the summer before my senior year. I went to Seminole Futures in the Fall to look for an internship that I was hoping would pan out to a full-time job offer. After talking to the recruiters at E&J Gallo Winery's booth, I was instantly set on getting an internship with them. I felt like I really clicked with the company while talking to them at the booth and the interview process after was amazing. I left every interview feeling like they really wanted to get to know me and help me reach my greatest potential. 

If you used any Career Center services, resources, or events to obtain your part-time job, what were they?

 I went to the Seminole Futures Career Fair. This helped me so much by providing a place with so many employers that are looking for interns and full-time employees. I would highly recommend every student across every academic year attend the career fairs that FSU has. If nothing else, it is great practice at selling yourself and talking to employers. 

What were some takeaways from your internship? How did the experience help prepare you for the next steps in your career?
   Throughout my Summer 2020 Sales Internship with E&J Gallo Winery, I learned so much about Gallo's unmatched company culture, incredible sales training programs, and amazing products. This experience prepared me for accepting a full-time position by providing first-hand information on what it would look like to work for them. I have so much confidence in their sales programs and amazing company culture because I was able to experience it for the summer and hear personal testimonies from employees on their amazing experiences while working for Gallo.

What advice do you have for students currently launching a job or internship search?
   Go to the Seminole Futures Career Fair! It is an amazing opportunity to be put in touch with future employers. Build a resume that you are proud of and use the resources that FSU's career fair provides to check over your resume. Mock interviews at the career center are also a great way to build confidence and practice interviewing with employers before the real thing. Be yourself, be confident, and know your elevator pitch before walking into career fairs!