My name is Annika Kosiarek, I am a senior majoring in marketing, graduating in May 2026! I am from Farmington, Minnesota, and I chose Whitewater because of the amazing business school. I played on the volleyball team here for one year, but eventually chose to focus more on my marketing development. I love playing intramural volleyball with my friends, enjoying my passion for music by singing and playing the guitar/ukulele, and watching the Minnesota Vikings! After graduation, I will be moving back to Minnesota to pursue a career in digital marketing.

Tell us a little bit about your department.

The UC Graphics & Marketing unit deals with things like designing for events, digital signage, printing stickers, and running the UC’s social media pages. We have different positions like marketing, photography, graphic design, and videography interns! Our office is a fun, lively place to work where we bounce ideas off of each other, help each other out, and make creative content for the University Center. Our supervisors, Jenny and Alexa, are super supportive and helpful with our efforts of marketing the UC!

What does an average day look like working for the UC? What does your position entail?

When I arrive at my office, I always greet everyone with a warm hello. After clocking in, I organize my computer and notebook to write out everything I need to complete for the day. In my position, each day is different. At the beginning of the week, I plan out my social media schedule for the next week, figuring out what I want to highlight on the UC’s Instagram. Throughout the week, I will film reels, take photos, collaborate with other departments, and complete my daily tasks. My position entails different tasks like content creation, marketing strategy, communication skills, and creativity. After all my content is ready and approved, I will use different scheduling tools like Meta Business Suite to post my content ahead of time.

Why should students visit the UC?

Many students do not know about the awesome opportunities that happen in the UC! From karaoke, movies, art workshops, and more, there is something for everyone in the UC. There are tons of different food options within the UC, my favorite is Wild Blue Sushi! Students should visit the UC because it is a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment.

How will your position at the UC help you in your future career?

My position as a marketing intern will help me in my future pursuing a career in digital marketing. I have learned so much about how to market to a specific group of people, and use storytelling to entice students to visit the UC. Being a part of a team that collaborates so well together gave me skills to use throughout my future career. Working in a busy, student-focused environment taught me how to balance deadlines while still being creative.

Explain a little about the connections you have made working in the UC.

After working in the UC for over a year, I have made some amazing friends and many professional connections. Last year I worked in the SAI office, and I was able to meet so many pro-staff who helped me succeed in my student employee lifestyle. My coworkers in the UC Graphics and Marketing office makes it fun to come to work every day. The other two marketing interns, Kylie and Logan, are always sharing fun ideas and helping me out when I need it! I will forever have these amazing connections I made while working in the UC!

How do you balance school, work, extracurricular activities, and a social life?

As a student employee, it can sometimes be difficult to balance my work, school, and social life. The most efficient tool I use to balance my many priorities is to write down each day what I need to get done. When I come into work, the first thing I do is make a to-do list with different tasks I need to get done for that day. I make sure I have enough time in my day to complete all of my homework while still being social. At first I thought it would be too much to have a job while being a student, but after having multiple on-campus jobs, it is pretty easy to manage!