by Juliana Dellamarggio
For Julia Ludovici, interning with a small startup had many benefits. The senior Writing & Rhetoric and Political Science double major with a Spanish minor had the opportunity to work on many different projects for her internship with Artisans List.
Artisans List is a small-business startup in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, that serves as a niche online directory for artisans (e.g., traditional craftsman, old home restorers, and small farmers) to help them connect with clients and market themselves in an affordable, manageable way. Artisans List also builds and engages a community of like-minded individuals who prioritize history, tradition, and reusing the past through branded editorial-style blog, digital video, and social media content.
Ludovici was tasked with many different projects, which evolved as the company grew, including developing the organization’s website on WordPress, refining the brand language, copywriting and editorial work, brainstorming for future content and community involvement projects, and securing brand partnerships.
She credits the lessons she has learned in her writing classes as stepping stones for the work she has done in this internship.
“All of the lessons I’ve learned in my professional and public writing courses sort of came to life at my internship,” Ludovici said. “Specifically, the WRT 235 course (Writing in Electronic Environments) gave me skills working in WordPress and with electronic and digital texts. These skills served me well throughout my internship.”
Ludovici has had many memorable experiences during her time with Artisans List. She not only gained invaluable work experience, but also shared her ideas for meaningful projects. She pitched an idea to produce holiday-themed content as an “advent calendar” leading up to Christmas, with a new project to be released each day through the month of December. She and the rest of the team gathered at one of her boss’s house to create and and shoot crafts and projects together that were published on the organization’s website. Ludovici said it felt really nice to be valued as a member of the team and not just as an intern.
After graduation, Ludovici will be working with Artisans List part-time as an editorial content writer and editor. She will also be tutoring for the URI Talent Development summer success program. She plans to apply to grad school and continue studying rhetoric and composition. Her advice to incoming freshman is to connect with professors like you would connect with friends because you never know what opportunities may come from them.
“Much like making friends in the Harrington School, making connections with professors is so crucial,” Ludovici said. “You never know what kind of connections they have, and having strong relationships with people who can support you and vouch for you as you move through the University and beyond is truly priceless.”