Paula Cuerquis, KLN ‘18, was recently accepted to participate in the prestigious American Association of Advertising Agencies Multicultural Advertising Internship Program (MAIP). The highly selective summer program provides talented advertising students with significant opportunities for professional development.

The 22-week program requires 12 weeks of online training starting at the end of March, followed by 10 weeks of practical experience on site with a company this summer. Cuerquis will be interning as a project manager with Dentsu Aegis Network in New York City.

“The American Association of Advertising Agencies Multicultural Advertising Internship Program is a very prestigious program” said Dana Saewitz. “Paula is an outstanding student and this award is well deserved.”

Cuerquis' roles will be to work with teams within the agency, checking the accuracy of their budgeting and making sure they stick to their deadlines. She has some experience interning at Digitas Health, giving her an understanding of the inner workings of an agency.

Cuerquis will be staying in New York City from May to August with another MAIP fellow in a dorm-style room.

“It’ll be different, I’m not sure how I’m going to feel about being in New York, but I’m excited to be in a new city,” said Cuerquis.

“I’m really excited to meet different and new people. Part of the reason I fell [into account management] is because I love talking to people and meeting new people.”

Despite her intern experience at Digitas, this will be Cuerquis’ first experience with project management, which she hopes will play a major role in her career.