Meet Lane Lannan, Communications & Marketing Intern, GRCA
Education:
Before college, I attended Selinsgrove Area School District in Selinsgrove, Pa. After graduating high school in 2020, I attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania. In 2024, I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History, as well as a certificate in Public History. But in addition to my degree, I graduated with almost four full years of experience at IUP’s student newspaper, The Penn. Of those years, two and a half were spent as the newspaper’s Editor-in-Chief.
What inspired you to intern at the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance, and what drew you to your specific role?
There were several factors that made GRCA appealing to me. I knew others that interned with GRCA, and they gave the organization high praise. Along with that, after my time at The Penn, I knew communications and marketing were the fields I wanted to work in. I knew GRCA would give me new skills, and reinforce old skills, which would allow me to be better prepared for the ever-changing communications landscape.
Can you describe a project or task you’ve worked on that you’re especially proud of?
So far, the thing I am proudest of is my most recent project, which has been articles for the Meet Greater Reading magazine. Not only did I put a lot of effort into the article, but the entire magazine team spent a lot of time editing the layout to make it perfect. I’m very proud of the work that we were able to do together and I am very happy with how it all looks.
What’s one thing you’ve learned so far during your internship that you didn’t expect?
The value of working together as a unit. No part of GRCA would be as successful without that mentality. Everybody supports each other, and that is a very valuable thing. Additionally, I learned that a small, stuffed pig named Lucky Penny can be a great marketing tool. Sometimes, the simpler, the better!
What special skills do you possess that you think an employer will value?
For me, there are several different special skills that I have that would be of value, all of which are dependent on the position I end up in. I am a very strong writer and interviewer. I also work efficiently and I try to get assignments done as quickly as possible, while still ensuring their quality. Of my overarching skills, I’d say my work ethic and attention to detail are my two biggest strong suits. I also really enjoy a collaborative work environment, something GRCA has in droves, but I am also able to work well independently if the situation calls for it.
What type/s of professional position are you interested in obtaining?
I am interested in a position within the communications and marketing fields. Whether a position includes writing, editing, social media or all of the above, I am very confident that I am prepared for the job, and I have GRCA to thank for that.
As a final statement, I wanted to take the time to thank Leah Fassnacht and Audrey Krupiak, GRCA’s dynamic communications and marketing duo for taking a chance on me. Since my college degree is not in the field I want to enter, it has been difficult to find openings that would take that chance. But they did, and I am deeply appreciative of the opportunities that working with them has given me.