FSC Student Helps Launch Podcasting Success with CPS Investment Advisors

When Florida Southern College student William Battle, III heard about an internship opportunity with CPS Investment Advisors, it seemed like a perfect fit. Leveraging his experience in podcasting and guidance from his faculty advisors and professors in the communications department, William took on a transformative role that has since expanded his skills, career aspirations, and appreciation for hands-on learning.

During the summer of 2024, William played a key role in establishing CPS’s podcast studio from scratch. He worked on everything from assembling furniture to setting up microphones and software, helping the team lay the groundwork for their podcast series. Initially focused on consulting and coordinating, his role has since evolved into producing two podcasts: “The Road to Financial Independence” and “Tropical TidBits.” Since his start, his role has grown significantly, and he is excited to help bring projects to life.

“I decided to pursue the opportunity because experiences and internships like these are one of the key reasons why I pursued an education at Florida Southern. Nothing can replace hands-on experience within your field of study, so when I was asked if I would stay the summer to get things rolling, I was ready,” explained William.

Podcasts are on the up-and-coming, and what excites him the most is that the medium is not restricted to one space. People want to be heard and they rely on social media for brand recognition. His job as a multimedia journalist is to assist with that job and podcasts are a great way of achieving that.

His responsibilities now include setting up recording equipment, managing multi-camera setups, and editing video and audio to produce polished episodes. The internship has been a learning experience, pushing William to refine his video and audio editing skills. This real-world application complements his academic studies, creating a synergy between the classroom and the workplace.

“I have had a lot of challenges to overcome that have required me to acquire skills on the fly that I did not have previously. Thankfully, professors like Dr. Sparling in the communications department at Florida Southern have been reliable for me to lean on to learn this knowledge as I continue to advance in the space,’” said William.

For William, the most fulfilling part of the internship has been the connections he’s made at CPS. Beyond that, gaining financial insights has given him a fresh perspective on finance, completely transforming how he views money.

His advice for other students is to go for it. William has gained time-management and organizational skills from balancing this internship, being a Resident Advisor, and taking a full course load. He urges other Mocassins to understand that an internship is a perfect chance to figure out exactly what you do and don’t love in a career.

Get connected with the FSC Office of Career Services to start planning out your professional future.