Hi, Hounds! This week, we are highlighting recent graduate Colin Lawrence ’24 and his new job experience at our own Plourde Recreation Center on campus! Read more to learn how Colin started as an undergraduate building staff member, then progressed into the role of an intramural referee, followed by becoming involved with Assumption Fitness as a student CPT, and how he earned his new position as the Assistant Director of Recreation!
Describe a typical day in your position. What are your day-to-day tasks and responsibilities?
I am responsible for overseeing the intramural and fitness programs here at Assumption. With intramurals comes planning the season accordingly, communicating with my team, and developing intramurals that students have expressed interest in. Fitness is something that allows for me to work individually with students and faculty to help devise a plan to bring individuals closer towards their fitness goals. I get the pleasure of working with a team for Assumption fitness as well, together we develop program designs and introduce pop-up fitness classes throughout the year. Above all else, I work with students throughout the entire day which allows for me to be a guide for many and allows me to connect on a more personal level with new people every day.
Describe how your undergraduate internship helped you transition into your new position.
Throughout my four years at Assumption, I was able to work in many different positions at Plourde Recreation. I started as building staff, then moved into the role of an intramural referee, which progressed into becoming involved with Assumption Fitness as a student CPT (Certified Personal Trainer). Working with intramurals as a referee and competing in them helped me truly understand the logistics behind each intramural. This helped me think about what works from a marketing, rules, and timing standpoint to really help grow the intramurals that we offer. Assumption fitness offered the most significance for me as it allowed for me to understand program designs, and allowed for me to learn from a mentor how to help one achieve their fitness goals. From each of my opportunities at Plourde Recreation I became knowledgeable with the responsibilities and tasks that follow to this position.
Were you involved in any major projects or accomplishments as an intern? Have you been involved in any major projects or accomplishments in your new position?
As a student I was able to be a part of many major events such as the late-night events we offered and help develop a few intramurals that were a huge success. I continue to look forward to the future and what it might hold for this position. I am very excited for the intramurals that my staff and I have been discussing; implementing new intramurals is always a goal, as well as seeing the numbers for student engagement increase. Assumption Fitness was something that I had the honor of being one of the first student certified personal trainers and have been around the fitness department ever since. I am so proud of the growth that the fitness program has seen since I was a Junior here at Assumption, and I know that it will only continue to grow.
What are your career goals? How will this experience help you reach those goals?
I graduated from Assumption with a degree in Health Science on a physical therapy track. Ultimately the goal would be to have the opportunity to work with recreation for the rest of my work life. This position allows me to get a sense of what the career field calls for. It allows for me to come into connection with schools around the state and even in the northeast region to ultimately build connections around the area in the recreational field.
What are your key takeaways from your experience? What skills did you gain from this?
Students are everything. The community is something unlike anything else at Assumption and it starts with the students. The more that the students are involved, the easier coming to work is. Seeing enjoyment on other faces is really what makes this job special. We as an Assumption community strive to make the student life special and I do believe that with the intramural/ fitness program the student engagement is special. These programs are one of many that most look forward to.
Why did you apply to this job? What aspects of the position/company interested you?
As a student I fell in love with Plourde Recreation. I felt at home, and never had a moment where I did not want to be a part of the community. Being a part of the start of Assumption Fitness, I knew that I wanted to continue to do everything I can to see this program grow. Intramurals were always something that lead me towards new friends and helped me break out of my shell as a freshman. Now that I can be a part of the programming behind it, I take great honor in having students reach out with excitement towards a sport or wanting to be a part of the team.
How has your Assumption career prepared you for this position?
Always being a part of the Plourde staff was a major help for me as I really got a better understanding for the in’s and out’s of the programs that we offer. On top of this I had the honor of working in departments such as Orientation that allowed for me to work on being more outgoing and allowed for me to feel more confident in myself overall.
What advice would you give to a student who wants to participate in an internship?
I would say that any upcoming students who are looking for an internship should follow what they are passionate about. If there is something that they are truly passionate about, then that will show through in every interview process. Find the time to make the connections in the field that you want to be a part of. Having allies and references in an interview process makes a tremendous difference!
If you are interested in being featured on Highlighting Hounds, please email us at careerdevelopment@assumption.edu!
