Stronger Together
Author: Lauren B. / Editor: Bella B. and Ariana W. / Photographer: Elizabeth C.
There is a lot that Sydney P. is passionate about. When she’s not busy with her double majors in International Affairs and Communications, you can find her playing her life-long sport of soccer, teaching herself the guitar, painting, spending time with her Gamma Phi Beta sisters, or sharing stories and pictures of her golden retriever, Luca, and her tuxedo cat, Zola. Despite her variety of interests and hobbies, Sydney has taken the time to work to cultivate her interests both academically and professionally. One such opportunity was her internship this summer.
This summer she had the opportunity to intern in Washington D.C. with the National Geographic Society, which partnered with Emerson Collective, George Washington University, and Smithsonian Institution. Sydney described it as, “such an enriching experience that was so pivotal as far as where I want to go in my career.” Her focus was on executive communications, both internal and external, for National Geographic’s CEO, Jill Tiefenthaler. Tiefenthaler represented National Geographic at four conferences that summer—the UN Ocean Conference, Aspen Ideas Festival, Esri User Conference, and College of the Atlantic Summer Institute. Working under her, Sydney was thus responsible for the preparation of executive briefs and the talking points for these conferences, meaning her work impacted people around the world. Sydney explained how the College of the Atlantic Summer Institute, the final conference of the summer, stuck out to her the most. She called it her, “personal favorite,” with its focus on ocean conservation and attendance by many famous explorers.
She specifically mentioned how these conferences include speakers such as Robert Ballard, who is most famous for discovering the titanic. As well as Brain Skerry, who is one of her personal favorite experts in ocean and wildlife conservation. Although these are some big names in the conversation world, a common theme within these conferences and in Sydney’s internship was collaboration and teamwork. She mentioned that National Geographic is “very meeting heavy” and explained that “it’s a good thing because it’s very collaborative and makes sure that people are on the same page and communicating well.” Even though one person’s name may be associated with an accomplishment, success is a group effort. In other words, explorers, researchers, and conservationists are stronger together.
Sydney described her connection to Brain Skerry more in-depth.National Geographic will often actually partner with the aquarium and so right before leaving for Washington D.C., Sydney saw Brain Skerry’s exhibit there, SHARKS: On Assignment with Brian Skerry. While a smaller detail, she thought it was an interesting full circle moment. For most of her life, she was only able to observe ocean and wildlife conservation work and research, but this summer she got to participate hands-on in impactful work and enhance a field that she had spent a lifetime admiring.
When asked about her chapter’s influence on her and how that played into her experience with National Geographic, Sydney immediately brought up Gamma Phi’s philanthropic focus: Building Strong Girls. Focusing on providing girls and young women with a safe place with supportive mentors who can help them develop the skills needed to succeed in life. Sydney recounted that out of the fifty people who interned for National Geographic, at least 75 percent were women. Moreover, Jill Tiefenthaler, whom she did communications on behalf of, is the first female CEO of the National Geographic Society. “I felt so lucky to be a part of it,” Sydney said. “It was a lot like the Panhellenic community where it’s not competitive at all and everyone is there to uplift each other, whether you’re up or you’re down.”
As a Communications major who spent time writing staff notes and LinkedIn posts for the CEO of a global non-profit organization, Sydney is well-versed in how to effectively convey information, but she described herself as, “more introverted.” She elaborated that “being in a sorority at Florida State kind of forced me to open up and to be a lot more social. There’s a lot of people here [in my chapter] and then in the Panhellenic community in general which gave me a chance to refine those social skills.” This came in handy when Sydney moved to Washington D.C. and had to socially, “start over,” as she called it, and make new connections while living in a brand new city.
The skills members learn within Panhellenic and their individual chapters allow them to thrive in their professional goals while having a community of incredible women to support and empower them. Success is a team effort, and Sydney’s incredible work with the National Geographic Society is proof that people are stronger together, both in college and beyond.