Cassidy Funk ’22 spent her summer interning with the fastest growing donut shop in the U.S. As Duck Donuts’ public relations intern the communication/journalism major with a concentration in public relations gained valuable career experience and had the unique opportunity to help with a special service project.
“I’ve been really hands on in planning the franchise-wide annual Chemo Duck Campaign,” Funk said.
Each year, Duck Donuts partners with Gabe’s Chemo Duck Program, a non-profit organization that provides education, comfort through plush duck toys, medical play and therapeutic tools. During September, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, franchise locations work to raise funds that go directly to local children’s oncology units in the area. The company has donated nearly $150,000 over five years.
On top of working to make this annual event a success, Funk gained experience writing press releases, media lists and media advisories and performed market research and analysis. She also helped to organize social media influencers for the brand.
She discovered the internship through Kristen Kellum ’12- ’17M, PR and corporate communications manager at Duck Donuts, and was excited to work with Kellum and the company.
“My internship is giving me great experience working with an international brand that has a great company culture. They asked if I wanted to stay on board for the fall too and I’m so excited to continue. ” said Funk.
An active member of the campus community, Funk gained valuable experience that prepared her for this internship. She is a member of PRSSA, President’s Student Advisory Council, SUSSI Board of Directors, Kappa Beta Gamma and is a student worker in the Alumni Relations Office.
In the classroom, she benefited from caring faculty who shared their personal field experience to enrich her educational experience.
“The network of Shippensburg alumni has also been very beneficial. For example, right now at Duck Donuts, not only is my supervisor a two-time Ship graduate but so is our CEO Betsy Hamm ’01 – ’05M. It has been amazing to work with them and ask for advice because they have quite literally been in my boat before,” said Funk.
She’s excited to continue her time with Duck Donuts this fall and will graduate in spring 2022. She has her sights set on a magical future after graduation and feels prepared to work for it.
“My post-graduation career goal is to be in the entertainment/hospitality industry and ultimately to work for the Disney Company ,” she explained.
