Meet Tim: The Networker

Tim Schreiner did a 180 when he entered college. His background is in IT, and he had even declared computer science as his major, but he soon realized that he loved his English classes more; IT was no longer what he wanted to do. He felt that he had learned all he wanted to learn in that field and wanted to pursue other interests, so switching his major to English felt like the appropriate next step.

Tim is now a 20-year-old junior at Westfield State University, majoring in English with a concentration in writing; he has also added a second business minor as well.

Born in Lunenburg, to parents Sandra and Peter Schreiner, Tim grew up with two brothers, one older and one younger. He has two cats named Tigger and Annabelle.

Tim chose to attend Westfield State based on its proximity to home; it is close enough that he can visit when he wants, but far enough away that he feels independent. The University of Massachusetts, Amherst, was his second choice for similar reasons. He lives on campus in University Hall and enjoys the freedom that living in a dorm provides.

When entering his freshman year, Tim was thrilled to embark on the college experience. He wanted to start learning, and he was excited to be independent from his parents for the first time in his life.

Now that he is in his junior year and finding his niche in his major, he is truly enjoying himself.

He is in the process of narrowing down what he wants to do in the future and potentially checking out graduate schools upon completion of his bachelor’s degree. Tim is very interested in public relations as well as writing, especially with the recent declaration of a business minor, so this may be a possible career opportunity for the future. He is still searching for his dream job, but he is looking forward to this internship and exploring all the opportunities it will afford him.

Tim will be focused on writing about the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Hampshire County in his internship, and he will also help write blogs for the Beetle Press website and oversee social media efforts for the Mill River Chapter of Business Network International. He hopes the Beetle Press internship will offer connections as well as experience.

Tim originally chose Beetle Press based on his desire to have an internship that would require him to hone his skills in writing while also incorporating learning about running a business. He also stressed that networking with the right people now will better establish solid connections for his future career. He has never had an internship before, but he seems to have the right idea in maximizing the invaluable resources at his fingertips.

As far as previous work experience, Tim worked at McDonald’s as a line cook on the grill but recently left to focus his entire attention on his schoolwork. This summer he plans to work at Dunkin Donuts to make some extra money in his time away from school.

In his spare time Tim enjoys writing, running in the summer, playing video games and reading. He is also an active member of Westfield State’s chapter of the English Honors Society, Sigma Tau Delta.

Tim is excited to get started this semester and learn all he can from this wonderful opportunity.