Photo courtesy of Camille Coklow '16
BY HALEY ROBINSON '17
This week’s spotlight shines on Camille Coklow ‘16. Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Coklow’s father was the driving force behind her interest in Mount Holyoke. “[He] really wanted me to attend a ‘pedigree’ institution and felt as though Mount Holyoke would be the perfect place for me,” Coklow shared. “Although I wanted to attend NYU, in hindsight, I feel as though Mount Holyoke was definitely the better decision ... I was able to focus on my studies and really take the necessary time to figure out what exactly it was that I wanted to do with my life post-graduation.”
While she was here, Coklow double majored in gender studies and sociology, served as a track and field athlete and captain and worked as a mentor at Girls Inc. in Holyoke. According to Coklow, her academic and extracurricular experiences at Mount Holyoke greatly contributed to her personal growth and professional interests. “I became way more analytical as a thinker and as a content producer,” she said. “Because of this, I felt as though I needed to pursue a professional career that would allow me to continue honing those analytical skills and produce real s---, espe- cially in light of our current political climate.”
In October 2016, Coklow started as a host and video production assistant at Refinery29. Coklow said that each day at work varies. She could spend some days on set for a Brand Experiences shoot, sampling products from a sponsor, she could be hosting an episode of Busy Bodies, Refinery29’s fitness series or she might be coming up with new ideas to produce across Refinery29’s video platform.
For those of you who are wondering how in the world she landed such a coveted position with such a reputable company, don’t fear! Coklow found this opportunity online and applied with no previous connections to the organization. “Do not give up! Apply! Apply! Apply!” urges Coklow. “I would also add that during your application process, specifically during the internship acquisition process, of course apply to the big publications and production companies. But, at the same time, don’t forget about the smaller ones,” she advises. “The smaller companies will not only provide you with a ton of hands-on experience, but will also allow you to form a more personalized view of the media world. I mean, who wants to spend an entire summer getting coffee for someone? I never did it and neither should anyone else.”