Published: 05/20/2026

Insights from NARSA’s Intern
By: Madison McClendon

NARSA hired Madison McClendon, a graduate student at Morgan State University, as an intern for the Spring 2026 semester. Over the last few months, Madison attended weekly staff meetings and assisted Communications Director Linda Skoglund with updating the website, marketing campaigns, and The Cooling Journal. Here are some insights from Madison about her time with NARSA:

1. Introduce yourself to NARSA!

My name is Madison McClendon, and I am from Baltimore, Maryland. I am currently attending Morgan State University as an MBA candidate with a concentration in Marketing. I am very passionate about social media, being creative, event planning, and learning new things, so being able to combine those interests through my internship with NARSA has been an amazing experience.  

2. What attracted you to this internship? 

I first learned about NARSA on LinkedIn while searching for my spring semester internship. What immediately stood out to me about the internship was the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a professional environment while also contributing to meaningful ideas and projects. I also loved that working with NARSA let me take on a variety of projects rather than just focusing on one area. That variety gave me a chance to explore marketing, social media, website building, podcasting, and event planning in a real-world/professional environment.

3. What new skills did you acquire during this internship? 

One of the biggest skills I've developed is managing my internship workload alongside my academic work. I learned how to better manage multiple projects, meet deadlines while juggling multiple tasks, and think more strategically. I also learned how to create content for an industry I was not familiar with, which challenged me to step outside my comfort zone and think more strategically about communications. It also taught me the importance of understanding your audience, researching the industry, and finding creative ways to make technical information engaging and accessible. This allowed me to be more confident in my ability to adapt my writing style and content creation skills to different industries and professional environments. 

4. What was it like working with NARSA’s staff?

Working with the NARSA team was one of the most rewarding parts of this internship. Nathan Ingrao, Linda Skoglund, and Roland Ewert each brought different perspectives and experiences that made my experience both welcoming and educational. They created a space where I felt comfortable asking questions, sharing ideas, and learning more about the radiator industry. One project that stood out to me was creating the social media plan for the 2026 Spring Conference. I was about to take a deep dive into what goes into the spring conference and find creative ways to market it through various social media graphics. I really enjoyed contributing to something that directly impacted NARSA and its members. I also really appreciated how much trust the team placed in me to take ownership of tasks and be creative with my work. 

5. Let’s talk about your creative side! What new ideas did you bring to NARSA? 

One thing I really enjoyed about this internship was having the opportunity to think creatively and contribute fresh ideas. I worked on ideas related to social media engagement, event promotion, digital content creation, and member engagement. I created different graphics for Instagram, including podcast teaser promotions and 2026 Spring Conference content, which helped make NARSA’s social media feel more interactive and engaging. For example, I suggested more interactive social media content, including Instagram Story takeovers during the Spring Conference and board member takeovers that gave followers a behind-the-scenes look into the industry and helped increase engagement. It was exciting to see how creativity and innovation can play an important role even in industries people may not immediately associate with marketing or digital engagement.

6. What was it like attending and helping plan the 2026 Spring Conference? 

Helping plan and attending the 2026 Spring Conference in Duluth was an incredible experience. It gave me a behind-the-scenes look at everything that goes into organizing a professional event, from preparation and communication to logistics and attendee engagement. One of my biggest takeaways was how important teamwork and adaptability are during large events. I also learned the importance of organizations during events as complex as the spring conference. I watched the team coordinate schedules and manage event details to ensure attendees could enjoy the conference. I saw firsthand how much planning and teamwork go into making a large event successful. I also enjoyed seeing the strong sense of community within the industry. Meeting professionals, hearing conversations, and seeing NARSA members connect showed me how valuable industry relationships and networking can be. 

7. What surprised you most about the cooling systems industry? 

One thing that surprised me most was how relationship-driven and collaborative the industry is. Before this internship, I did not fully realize how much networking and communication are essential to the business. I was also surprised at how intricate and technical the industry is. I came into this internship not knowing much about radiators, but I got to see how passionate the shop owners are and how much of an impact radiators have on everyday life. Through attending the 2026 Spring Conference and reading past Cooling Journals, I learned how important this industry is to transportation and many day-to-day operations that people often overlook. Seeing the dedication and expertise within the industry gave me a new appreciation for the work these businesses do and the impact they have behind the scenes.

8. How do you think this internship has shaped your future goals and career aspirations? 

This internship has helped me gain a clearer understanding of the type of career path I want to pursue. It confirmed my interest in marketing, communications, event management, and leadership while also helping me discover new areas I enjoy, such as industry outreach and professional networking.

The experience gave me more confidence in my professional abilities and showed me the value of building relationships, being adaptable, and taking initiative. It also helped me better understand how organizations operate behind the scenes and how different roles work together to achieve a common goal.

Moving forward, I plan to continue developing the skills I gained during this internship and apply them to future opportunities in marketing, public relations, corporate communications, and event planning. I’m grateful for everything I learned through NARSA and excited to carry those experiences into the next stage of my career journey