A junior marketing major from Maryland, Darwuin Escobar, Class of 2028, has had experiences at Fox that have taken him beyond the classroom to leadership roles in student organizations, attendance at national professional conferences and, most recently, a brand marketing internship with Lincoln Financial. Along the way, he discovered that success is not simply about finding the right opportunity—it is about putting yourself in a position to recognize and pursue it.
“I feel proud every day to be where I am today, and I never want to take any opportunity for granted,” he said. “My parents worked hard to give me the opportunity to attend a great school like Temple University, and seeing their work ethic motivates me to work just as hard.”
Opportunity through connection
Escobar’s path to securing an internship with Lincoln Financial began with his involvement in the Fox School’s student chapter of the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA). By attending meetings and events, he had opportunities to meet Lincoln Financial professionals.
“I made an effort to keep attending meetings and events related to Lincoln Financial so I could understand more about the company, build relationships and learn about career opportunities,” he said.
Those connections became particularly valuable when internship applications opened. While ALPFA helped him make the initial connections, the Fox School’s Center for Student Professional Development (CSPD) helped him prepare to take the next step.
“I used both the connections I made through ALPFA and the support I received from CSPD to put myself in the best position possible,” Escobar said. “I think both experiences were important in helping me secure an internship.”
He worked with CSPD to strengthen his résumé and cover letter, and he received presentation feedback that gave him greater confidence throughout the application and interview process.
“I used both the connections I made through ALPFA and the support I received from CSPD to put myself in the best position possible,” Escobar said. “I think both experiences were important in helping me secure an internship.”
Building his brand
Escobar gained valuable insight into building a professional brand at the 2026 ALPFA Convention in Charlotte, NC. One session that stood out for him was Goldman Sachs’ “Building Your Own Brand” panel.
“Hearing panelists share their career journey, experiences and challenges gave me perspectives that I can apply to my own path,” he said. “It provided me with a new outlook on how I present myself, build my personal brand and how I leave a lasting impression even when I’m not in the room.”
That lesson came at a fitting time. Through his experiences at Fox, Escobar has been building not only his marketing skills, but also his confidence in how he presents himself as a future business professional.
Putting marketing into practice
At Lincoln Financial, Escobar had the opportunity to put his classroom learning into practice.
During his brand marketing internship, he took ownership of research projects focused on brand consistency, digital visibility and competitive analysis. Rather than simply completing assigned tasks, he learned how to manage a project from beginning to end—identifying opportunities, conducting research, analyzing findings and presenting recommendations.
“Leading these projects helped me strengthen my research and analytical skills while learning how to turn insights into meaningful recommendations,” he said. “This experience also pushed me to think independently, take initiative and become more confident in my work.”
His internship experience extended beyond the office as well. At the ALPFA Convention, Escobar joined fellow Lincoln Financial interns at the company’s booth, where they talked with other interested students about their internship experiences, what they had learned and how they secured their opportunities.
Proud being first-generation
Escobar’s drive is deeply connected to his experience as a first-generation—or “first-gen”—college student.
When he arrived at Temple, he did not have a roadmap for navigating a four-year university. His family did not have the resources or experience to show him what the college journey would look like.
“I have had to learn a lot on my own and figure out how to navigate college, find opportunities and forge my own path,” he said.
Fox and Temple staff, professors and resources have helped him understand what he needs to do to succeed. But he also credits the friends he has made with helping him navigate the unfamiliar parts of college, particularly during his first year.
“I could ask them questions about anything college-related, and they were always willing to help,” he said. “Having that support made the transition from high school to college much easier.”
Being first-generation has also shaped how Escobar approaches his education and career.
“I feel proud every day to be where I am today, and I never want to take any opportunity for granted,” he said. “My parents worked hard to give me the opportunity to attend a great school like Temple University, and seeing their work ethic motivates me to work just as hard.”
For Escobar, being first-generation means carrying his family with him as he moves forward.
“I do not go to school only for myself; I do it for my family, my friends and the future generation of first-generation students who may be in the same position I was in,” he said.
He hopes his journey can serve as an example to his brothers, cousins and other students who may wonder whether college is possible for them.
“I want them to see that their background does not determine what they are capable of achieving,” he said.
Looking ahead
As Escobar enters his third year, he is already taking on new opportunities. He will serve as director of media relations for Temple’s chapter of the America Marketing Association (TU-AMA) and as a marketing brand ambassador for Celsius.
Both roles will allow him to build on the leadership, marketing, brand and communication skills he has developed through Fox, TU-AMA, ALPFA and Lincoln Financial.
He also wants to continue challenging himself—meeting new people, stepping outside his comfort zone and learning more about the areas of marketing that interest him most.
“I know I still have a lot to learn, but I’m excited for what’s ahead and feel more than ready for the challenge,” he said.
Escobar has built his college experience through one connection, classroom, project and opportunity at a time—and along the way, he is creating a path that he hopes first-generation students will one day be able to follow.
“I do not go to school only for myself; I do it for my family, my friends and the future generation of first-generation students who may be in the same position I was in,” he said.
Join ALPFA and TU-AMA
- ALPFA Chapter at Temple
Join weekly meetings from 12:30-1:30 p.m. in Alter Hall 234 and join on Linktree
- American Marketing Association (TU-AMA)
Join weekly meetings:- Monday Speakman 112 from 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
- Wednesday Alter LL35 from 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
- Friday Alter LL35 from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Are you a first-generation student at the Fox School?
Learn more about the Fox School’s First-Gen Fox Den initiative for details on workshops, resource sharing, social events and meaningful connections with fellow first-generation students at the Fox School and across campus.