Eta Delta to NYC

Coming into UF, I was scared. I had no idea how to find my people or build toward the career in advertising I wanted. Looking back now as a rising senior, with an internship at NBCUniversal in New York City this summer, I can trace almost every step of this journey back to two things: my involvement in The Agency at UF and Chi Omega.

My mom and I at my initiation

From the moment I stepped into the Eta Delta house during recruitment freshman year, I felt it. My mom, Roberta Reilly MC '88, had been a member of this chapter, and walking through those doors felt like coming home to her. Running home on Bid Day was one of the best days of my college experience, and I knew I had found my place in Chi Omega. I had that exact same feeling two weeks later at The Agency's Open House. I knew I wanted to be surrounded by people who would push me professionally and give me real, hands-on experience with brands like Disney, Amazon, and L'Oréal. Both organizations gave me exactly that, and the two have been deeply intertwined in my life ever since.

After joining Chi Omega, I reached out to sisters like Anna Kate Smith MC '21 and Catherine McCarthy MC '21, both members of The Agency, who helped me strengthen my application. Once I was in, I felt a little lost on how to break into leadership and make the most of my experience. I turned to another sister and alum of The Agency, Taryn Aebli MC '21, working at Disney Advertising in New York City. Her advice was simple: put yourself out there and be confident in voicing your opinions. I took that to heart, and things moved quickly from there.

Me with Sofia and other girls in Panehellenic in The Agency (left to right- Sofia, Me, Logan Feldman- DPhiE, Gracie Dickinson AOPi) 

Since then, I've visited and pitched at Universal Orlando's corporate office, led planning for a 40-person New York City trip to visit companies like Google, Paramount, and Netflix, and worked on projects for the Walt Disney Company and Got Milk?. I've also grown from an entry-level media coordinator to Media Department Manager to Co-Operations Manager, the highest student leadership role in The Agency. But honestly, the highlight of my experience hasn't been the work; it's been the people. I have made so many incredible friends in The Agency who push me to be the best I can be, especially my fellow agency member and sister in Chi Omega, Sofia McIntosh, MC '24.

This summer I'll be interning at NBCUniversal in brand partnerships on the Peacock Development Team, a team that has worked on everything from Universal Pictures films like Wicked to shows like Love Island. I credit everything I built through The Agency and UF for getting me there. When it came time to apply, members of The Agency and fellow Panhellenic sisters who had interned at NBCUniversal gave me advice through every round of the interview process. During my actual interview, nearly everything I talked about was my experience at The Agency. The confidence I built interviewing for leadership roles within the organization and experience I had gained are what I credit to landing the job. 

I've grown more in the past year than I have at any other point in my life, and I owe so much of that to the women of Eta Delta who pushed me toward The Agency and showed up for me throughout this whole journey. I’m ready to head to New York City this summer knowing that so many of my Chi Omega sisters and Agency friends will be right there with me in the city. And I can't wait for one final victory lap my senior year with an exciting year leading The Agency and spending time with my best friends in Chi Omega ahead.

My name next to the NBCUniversal logo at The Agency’s office 

XOXO

Shea O’Donoghue MC ‘23