From “No Internship Experience” to Roc Nation: How One Gator Built His Own Path

When Angel Gomez first connected with the Career Connections Center, it wasn’t through a scheduled appointment or workshop…it was during a career trek in June 2025. At the time, he was preparing to graduate that August with a degree in Advertising, and no formal internship experience under his belt. Like many students’ nearing graduation, he knew he wanted to break into marketing and branding but wasn’t quite sure how to get his foot in the door.

Starting Where You Are

After graduation, Angel Gomez returned home to Miami and began working while actively searching for opportunities in the marketing and advertising space. Instead of waiting for the “perfect” role, he focused on what he could control:

Updating and tailoring his resume
Using tools like Quinncia to strengthen his materials
Upskilling through platforms like Forage, LinkedIn Learning, and Parker Dewey
Actively applying to roles aligned with his interests

These small, strategic steps helped him stay engaged and prepared while navigating the early stages of his career journey.

Taking a Chance on the Unknown

Eventually, an opportunity came along, an unpaid internship with Roc Nation in New York. It wasn’t a perfect scenario. The internship was unpaid, and it placed him in a fast-paced environment in an area of industry he hadn’t previously explored. But instead of hesitating, he leaned in. During the experience, he gained exposure to “behind the scenes of so many culturally relevant projects and artists,” and even had the chance to work with the philanthropy department, an area that felt deeply meaningful to him. He also identified key skills he was building, including:

Creative problem-solving
Translating ideas for different audiences
Technical and organizational skills using tools like Google Workspace and Canva

Most importantly, he embraced the learning process, even when it challenged him.

Turning Experience into Opportunity

What started as an unpaid internship quickly became something more. One year later, Angel Gomez shared an exciting update: “The internship turned into a full-time offer as a Program Coordinator for Team Roc, Roc Nation’s Philanthropic Department…it’s been a great 6 months thus far with a lot of learning and experience.” His willingness to step into an unfamiliar space, work hard, and stay open to growth ultimately led to a full-time role in a major organization, in a field he hadn’t originally planned for.

What Students Can Learn from This Journey

Angel Gomez’s story is a powerful reminder that there’s no single path to success, and that sometimes, the most impactful opportunities are the ones that stretch you. If you’re feeling unsure about your next step, here are a few takeaways:

Show up and engage early: You never know where one connection, like a Career Trek, might lead
Don’t wait for perfection: Your first opportunity may not check every box, and that’s still valuable.
Experiences create momentum: Even unpaid or short-term roles can open doors when you approach them with intention.
Stay curious: Exploring unfamiliar areas may lead you to a career path you didn’t know existed.
Invest in your growth: Upskilling, networking, and staying engaged all make a difference over time.

A Full-Circle Moment

What began as a conversation on a Career Trek turned into a transformational experience. Today, Angel Gomez is thriving in a full-time role at Roc Nation, building a career rooted in creativity, community impact, and continuous growth.