Former Rowan interns now thriving at Spencer’s and Spirit Halloween share career advice with current Profs

Spencer’s and Spirit Halloween hold professional development sessions for each year’s class of summer interns, and in a recent panel discussion, two Rowan University alumni were to offer advice from a unique perspective: they once sat in the interns’ seats themselves.

During the alumni panel at the company’s Egg Harbor Township headquarters, Rowan graduates Zachary Ventola ’21 and Brandon Hanby ’24 joined fellow former interns who have since built full-time careers with the retailer. The discussion provided practical guidance for the cohort of 87 interns, including 18 Rowan students representing a wide range of academic disciplines.

Following the panel, Hanby, a human resources analyst, and Ventola, a senior cybersecurity analyst at Spencer's and Spirit Halloween, elaborated on their paths from interns to full-time employees.

The following interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Q: What helped you stand out as an intern?

HANBY: I think what helped me stand out was being proactive, taking ownership of my work and intentionally looking for ways to make an impact in a short amount of time. I made an effort not just to complete the tasks I was assigned, but to understand the bigger picture and identify opportunities where I could contribute beyond the immediate assignment.

I wanted to make the most of my time as an intern and leave a meaningful impact, even within a limited timeframe. I also tried to be dependable by communicating clearly, asking thoughtful questions and following through on my commitments.

Q: How did you know you were meeting expectations?

HANBY: I looked at both the quality of my work and the feedback I was receiving. I regularly checked in with my manager and teammates to make sure I was aligned with priorities and understood what success looked like.

I also paid attention to whether I was becoming more independent over time, needing less guidance, taking on more responsibility and being trusted with increasingly important work.

Q: What was the most valuable piece of feedback you received during your internship?

HANBY: One of the most valuable pieces of feedback I received came from CEO Steven Silverstein, who encouraged me to take the “jump balls,” the uncomfortable or uncertain opportunities that push you outside of your comfort zone and ultimately help you grow.

My manager also reminded me to be more confident in myself because I already knew how to do the work. Sometimes, I would focus too much on whether I was doing something perfectly instead of trusting my knowledge and abilities.

Together, that feedback taught me that growth often comes from being willing to step into uncomfortable situations, speak up and trust yourself.

Q: What aspects of company culture should interns understand early on?

HANBY: I think interns should understand early on that the company culture is really built around togetherness, growth and having fun while still knowing how to get the work done. It's an environment where people genuinely want to see each other succeed and grow, which makes it easy to feel supported and included.

The people around you are willing to help, share their experiences and encourage you to step outside of your comfort zone. You're not just here to complete your work. You're surrounded by people who want to see you develop both personally and professionally.

Q: How did you demonstrate that you were a good fit for the organization?

VENTOLA: I made sure to show a willingness to learn and take initiative when new opportunities arose. Coming in as an intern or entry-level employee, it's not always easy for others to gauge your abilities right away.

At that stage of your career, you may not have the experience to work completely independently yet, but demonstrating curiosity, dependability and a strong desire to learn helps build trust and shows that you're committed to being a part of the team.

Q: What's something you wish you had known on your first day?

VENTOLA: Mistakes will happen, and it's important to learn from them rather than fear them. There isn't a single person who has never made a mistake or been wrong about a decision during their career.

Some of the biggest growth opportunities in my current role came from taking on new challenges, making mistakes and using those experiences to improve both my skills and confidence.

Q: How did Rowan help prepare you for your career?

VENTOLA: Rowan provided me with many of the tools and resources needed to jump-start my career. I attended resume-building seminars and regularly met with career advisors to review and improve my resume.

Through the Cybersecurity Club, I was able to network with peers, many of whom have gone on to have successful careers and remain valuable professional connections today. Taking advantage of the resources Rowan offers can make a significant difference, as not every university or employer provides the same level of support and career development opportunities.

Q: What is your biggest piece of advice for current Profs?

VENTOLA: Your career path will be different from others, and that's okay. Everyone has their own journey, and the time it takes, or the number of steps required, doesn't make the end result any less meaningful.

Stay open-minded and optimistic when changes arise, and don't be afraid to take them head on. Some of the opportunities that have the biggest impact on your future may be the ones you never planned for, so embrace them when they come your way.

HANBY: Growth often comes from the opportunities that make you uncomfortable. Be willing to raise your hand, speak up and challenge yourself. The experiences that feel the most uncertain can end up becoming the ones that shape your career the most.