USF College of Arts and Science senior John Michael Kilgore originally came to USF to pursue a degree in physical therapy, but instead found his calling in professional and technical communication (PTC) in the Department of English.
He’s already put those skills to the test in his recent internship with the Florida-based software development company, Oyova Sofware, LLC.
John Michael Kilgore interned at Oyova’s St. Petersburg office. (Photo courtesy of Kilgore)
“Writing and digital design are my strong suits, as opposed to science and math, which the lack thereof became a significant factor in my decision to pursue this major,” he explained. “I am very passionate about communications, marketing, and writing, all of which are large parts of this major. Essentially, I enjoy the work it entails and find myself to be quite proficient in much of it already, so I really think it’s the ideal degree for me.”
Also minoring in astronomy, Kilgore is set to graduate this upcoming Fall semester and was set on finding an internship focused on technical writing.
He discovered the opportunity to intern with Oyova through the assistance of Dr. Michael L. Shuman, professor of instruction and director of internships in the Department of English.
His semester-long spring internship with Oyova, located at their St. Petersburg offices, put him front and center for writing and designing deliverables for clients.
“I most often wrote blog posts, but I also designed case studies, infographics, and even a custom 15th anniversary logo for one of their clients, Alpha-Omega Training & Compliance (AOTC), that is being used by them right now!” he said.
Designing the custom logo has been a highlight of his experience.
“I loved every part of the design process and was amazed to see that not only was I given such an incredible opportunity to create a logo for a client, but that AOTC is actually using the logo that I designed,” he said. “Digital design is something I am very passionate about, and for a real company to use something that I made, that I put so much hard work and thought into, makes me incredibly proud and happy.”
The internship went so well that Kilgore said Oyova has decided to keep him around as an intern through the end of the year with hopes to possibly offer him a full-time position upon graduation.
“My major in English (PTC) ties into this internship in that the work I am doing is the same work I have been learning how to do in my classes and is also the same work I'll be doing in my career after I graduate,” he said. “It's enhancing what I'm doing as an intern by allowing me to get valuable experience doing the work my major is preparing me for so that once I graduate, I'll be much more prepared to enter the workforce with the knowledge, proficiencies, and experience I've gained.”
John Michael Kilgore (right) with his internship supervisor Brandon Smith at Oyova. (Photo courtesy of Kilgore)
“What I've enjoyed most about majoring in English has absolutely been the amazing people I've met and achievements I've made through my work in the major. Over the course of my time as an English PTC major at USF, I've been quite fortunate to learn from so many outstanding professors who are kind, friendly, insightful, and are just as passionate about professional and technical communication as I am,” he said. “The work I've done is all work that I'm proud of and often serves many practical uses outside of the classroom as well, such as my portfolio website and the work I've done redesigning the internship program website in my capstone class. It all has made majoring in English an incredible and highly enjoyable experience.”
After graduating, Kilgore hopes to work in the communications and marketing field in the Tampa Bay area.
“Wherever it is I end up, I'm excited to get started!” he said.
Learn more about majoring in Professional and Technical Communication at USF.