STCC business student builds future through internship at Tower Square

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – At just 19 years old, Delaney Aldrich already is getting a behind-the-scenes look at how large properties are managed – and discovering where she wants her career to go.

A first-year business student at Springfield Technical Community College, Aldrich is completing a paid property management internship at Tower Square, the 28-floor commercial office space in the heart of downtown Springfield. The experience, she says, is shaping her long-term goals in real estate and investing.

During her senior year of high school, Aldrich took classes at an area college, but quickly realized she was looking for a different higher education experience.

“I wanted something local and affordable,” said Aldrich, a Granby resident. “I didn’t want to be in debt, especially because I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do yet.”

Family recommendations and positive word-of-mouth led her to STCC, where she enrolled as a business major. Initially, she planned to earn her associate degree and head straight into the workforce. That changed after she began building connections with faculty.

Last semester, Aldrich took Professor Thomas Niemi’s Principles of Management class, which became a turning point.

“He really responded to my interest in investments and real estate,” Aldrich said. “He connected me with two property managers, and that’s how I ended up meeting Sara Smith.”

Smith ’97, the general manager at Tower Square and a STCC alumna, invited Aldrich in for what was originally meant to be an informational conversation about the industry. Instead, the meeting turned into something much more.

“After we talked, she asked if I would be interested in an internship,” Aldrich said. “It was a wicked surprise!”

Today, Aldrich works about eight paid internship hours a week at Tower Square while carrying a full courseload at STCC. Each day brings a new learning opportunity.

“So far, every day has been different,” she said. “I’ve toured different departments, worked on the tenant handbook, reviewed security reports and even spent time with the cleaning department while they updated safety data sheets.”

She also gets exposure to the technical side of managing a large facility, including conversations with engineers and staff responsible for utilities and building systems.

“It really opened my eyes to how much goes on behind the scenes,” Aldrich said.

Smith said Aldrich’s inquisitive nature and drive to build a career in property management led to the offer to intern at Tower Square.

If you want to do something, you have to put yourself out there. Make sure your professors know what you’re interested in. They really will help you. Delaney Aldrich, Business Transfer student

“Since joining us, she has proven to be a tremendous asset, consistently offering a fresh perspective that challenges our standard operations in the best way,” said Smith, a board member of the STCC Foundation. “At Tower Square, we believe it is vital to provide opportunities to STCC students to meet the region's growing demand for educated business professionals. By sharing our knowledge and experience, we aren't just building a skillset; we are opening doors for the future leaders of our industry.”

While Aldrich originally thought she would remain in the general business program at STCC, encouragement from Smith and others convinced her to shift into a business transfer pathway and to think bigger about her future. Her goal now is to continue her education at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and she hopes to enroll in the Isenberg School of Management.

Long term, Aldrich envisions a career in residential real estate investing, inspired by growing up helping her family manage rental properties.

“My dad had a few rentals, and my brother and I helped fix them up and collect rent,” she said. “That definitely sparked my interest.”

In addition to her internship, Aldrich works about 10 hours a week at Atkins Farms Country Market in Amherst while managing four classes at STCC.

“It’s been pretty good,” she said. “My teachers are very reasonable, and I plan my schedule carefully so I don’t fall behind.”

Aldrich also points to the role of STCC’s Career Services office in helping students connect with real-world opportunities. She says Nathan Andary, the college’s director of Career Services, regularly visits classes and shows students how to use tools such as resume builders and internship resources.

“He’s great and very easy to talk to,” she said. “I would definitely recommend students go to him.”

For Aldrich, one of the biggest takeaways from her experience is how approachable faculty and staff at STCC are, and how willing they are to help motivated students.

“If you want to do something, you have to put yourself out there,” she said. “Make sure your professors know what you’re interested in. They really will help you.”

Professor Niemi said seeing students connect what they’re learning in the classroom to future careers is one of the most rewarding parts of teaching Principles of Management at STCC.

“When Delaney shared her interest in pursuing a career in real estate, I was able to connect her with Sara Smith at Tower Square whom I had met at a Business Club event organized by Professor Anthony Rondinelli ‘92,” Niemi said. “That conversation ultimately led to an internship, where she is now gaining valuable real-world experience and building on the management concepts she learned in class as she works toward her career goals.”

Mary Lou Vredenburg, Dean of Liberal and Professional Studies at STCC, said Aldrich’s internship at Tower Square illustrates how classroom learning translates directly into meaningful, real-world experience.

“Our goal is to help students explore careers, build confidence and develop professional skills before they graduate, and Delaney’s success shows the impact that strong faculty support and hands-on opportunities can have on a student’s future,” Vredenburg said.

Thanks to the MassEducate program, Aldrich is attending STCC tuition-free, another factor she believes makes the college an ideal starting point.

“There’s a lot of growth here,” she said. “You can start with one area, change your direction and figure out what you really want. It’s definitely a building block, and it’s much cheaper to start here.”

Most of all, Aldrich is grateful for the opportunity to explore a potential career before fully committing to it.

“It’s amazing to be able to see everything behind the scenes before stepping into something permanently,” she said. “I get three credits and I get paid. This experience has really shown me what’s possible.”

Interested in applying to STCC? Visit stcc.edu/apply or call Admissions at (413) 755-3333.

About Springfield Technical Community College

STCC, the Commonwealth's only technical community college, continues the pioneering legacy of the Springfield Armory with comprehensive and technical education in manufacturing, STEM, healthcare, business, social services, and the liberal arts. STCC's highly regarded workforce, certificate, degree, and transfer programs are the most affordable in Springfield and provide unequaled opportunity for the vitality of Western Massachusetts. Founded in 1967, the college – a designated Hispanic Serving Institution – seeks to close achievement gaps among students who traditionally face societal barriers. STCC supports students as they transform their lives through intellectual, cultural, and economic engagement while becoming thoughtful, committed and socially responsible graduates.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jim Danko, (413) 222-9311, jdanko@stcc.edu

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