Hello! My name is Emily Prickett, and I am thrilled to be interning with Visit JoCo over the next few months. It is exciting to be a part of such a well-developed and active Visitors Bureau, and I am looking forward to all the experiences and learning that lie ahead.
I originally got into studying tourism because I took an elective class my freshman year of college that introduced me to the industry. It was then I realized that working in tourism provides so many diverse career opportunities. As someone who enjoys adventuring and discovering new things, this immediately appealed to me.
The industry is always changing, and I wanted to pursue it because I love to create and innovate. Growing up, I knew I wanted to make a positive impact through whatever career path I chose. Once my eyes were opened to the potential that tourism has to improve the quality of life for communities, educate visitors, and even preserve the natural beauty of our world for future generations, I decided that it was going to be my means of making a difference. Tourism is everywhere and capable of doing so much good.
Currently, I am a senior at North Carolina State University majoring in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management with a minor in Business Administration. I have interned previously with the Tourism Development Authority of Martin County to help develop their marketing position. This included developing a marketing plan, social media strategy, and marketing toolkit.
I also have experience in research with my current position as a student research assistant at North Carolina State University’s Tourism Extension. This job focuses on supporting counties around North Carolina by providing research and generating resources for their tourism establishments.
Now, with Johnston County I will be creating, distributing, and reporting on a resident sentiment survey. This will aim to better understand the community, gauge how people perceive tourism affects their quality of life, and quantify how much they understand about tourism and its impacts.
I am looking forward to applying my knowledge from coursework and past experiences to my internship here to effectively study how Johnston County residents perceive tourism. I am eager to continue learning, growing, and making a meaningful impact!
