Beyond the Bus

While meeting the mobility needs of our community is a main focus at CATA, we also aim to provide meaningful work experience to emerging young professionals. The CATA Marketing Department currently employs two interns who are gaining valuable work experience right here in our office, or remotely for the time being. 

Kate Vernier’s Experience

My name is Kate Vernier, and I’m a senior at Michigan State University majoring in Advertising Management. I’ve been an intern within CATA’s Marketing Department for almost one year. Throughout this internship, I’ve learned so many skills and gained professional experience that will benefit me in my future career. 

Both interns work on various projects and tasks, ranging from social media to working hands-on with community members. My favorite project so far has been helping to promote CATA’s Grab & Go Express. This free service allowed riders to travel through Downtown Lansing and Old Town, with stops within walking distance of over 50 businesses. Through this project, I was able to speak with many local business owners, witnessing firsthand how passionate they are about their work and the community. Experiences like this have helped build transferable skills that I’ll use in my future career. 

I’m also very active within MSU’s Fraternity and Sorority Community. I’ve been a member of Kappa Delta Sorority for almost four years, and have served on MSU’s Panhellenic Executive Board as Vice President of Community Relations and as Panhellenic President. 

Delaney Pickett’s Experience

I am Delaney Pickett, a sophomore at Northern Michigan University studying Graphic Design. I have been interning at CATA for a few months now and have learned so much already. This internship has given me a chance to experience the marketing side of graphic design and work with some very talented people in this field.

One of my first projects was to create designs for information screens inside some of the CATA bus shelters. I also started designing graphics for CATA’s Instagram account. Social media was something I had never worked on before, but involved skills I was eager to develop. These assignments showed me how to analyze and project a company’s voice. Being a designer means being a communicator, and interning at CATA has strengthened my skills in both roles.

When I am not working on a project for CATA, I like to take advantage of the breathtaking views Marquette has to offer. Hiking and running on the trails of Northern Michigan often inspires my personal artwork.

Working at an Internship during COVID-19

As a safety precaution during the COVID-19 pandemic, CATA has Kate, Delaney and many administrative employees working remotely. But the value of their internships hasn’t been lost at all for Kate and Delaney. They meet frequently with members of the Marketing Department and have been given all the resources needed to continue to be successful in their positions.

Whether it comes to senior-level executives or young, ambitious interns, CATA strives to foster a collaborative and engaging workplace for all.