By Angie Hannon :

2020 Summer Fellow, Nicole Krantz, is serving as the Marketing Intern at the Catholic Cemeteries Association.

Nicole is a rising Junior at John Carroll University majoring in Integrated Marketing and Communications with a minor in Political Science. She hopes to go to law school. She became interested in the Summer Fellows program when she met Marian Rubin, the President of Catholic Community Connection, at a career fair at John Carroll University. The conversation led Nicole to consider the opportunity of working in marketing at a Catholic ministry.

As a Marketing Intern, Nicole works on the social media campaign promoting the Catholic Cemeteries Association’s bereavement resources. She works on promotional items for “A Walk to Remember” a half-mile walking rosary to remember loved ones with prayer. Nicole also works on writing bereavement blogs and helps with their email newsletter. “I just finished writing my first blog. It is about dealing with guilt for grieving families.” She has learned a lot of the marketing skills needed for the job from her Supervisor. “Katie Karpinski, my supervisor, is super knowledgeable and has taught me how to use different marketing programs, how to run social media campaigns, and ways to write about a sensitive topic. She has helped me become a better writer and marketer.” Nicole also works closely with her mentor, Rhonda Abrams, the bereavement coordinator, and has learned how to talk about a sensitive topic and connect with people that have just suffered a loss. “Rhonda has great knowledge on bereavement. The blogs that she and Katie both write, do a great job at incorporating the Catholic faith in grieving. Not only that but, they give great advice and support.”

The most memorable experience for Nicole was sitting in on a meeting where a company was selling ad space in a Catholic magazine to the association. “I got to witness the tricks of the trade and the interaction with the marketing manager and sales director. I learned a lot by witnessing everyone converse and figure it all out.” Nicole also appreciates the fact that the Catholic Cemeteries Association offers bereavement services for families that have lost a loved one.

In the future, Nicole wants to be in an environment where she can learn more skills about communications and marketing. She wants to continue to work on projects and promotional items. “If you can successfully market a cemetery and learn how to talk about it in a positive way, you will get the message out to people and really be able to market anything.”