Through the Gettysburg Approach, Ella Koup ’27 learned how to apply her interests in music and management to a Career-Ready Experience at Valley Forge National Historical Park. Koup used skills such as problem solving and communication as she presented interpretive programs and provided visitor services for the park.
Last summer, Ella Koup ’27, a music and business, organizations, and management double major from Paoli, Pennsylvania, learned firsthand the value of problem solving and communication. She practiced these skills by engaging visitors through stories and programming about one of our nation’s historic sites, Valley Forge National Historical Park.
During the summer of 2025, Koup secured an internship with the National Park Service at Valley Forge, about five miles from her hometown and 25 miles outside Philadelphia. Throughout her internship, she helped perform several visitor services roles for the park, including creating content and programming built on the knowledge and skills she’d gained at Gettysburg. Like many historical sites across the country, Valley Forge is anticipating a significant boost in visitation this summer as the United States commemorates its 250th anniversary.
“I grew up visiting Valley Forge on field trips and family day trips, and I am grateful to give back to a place that gave so much to me throughout my life,” Koup said. “The opportunity to work at a national historical park developed and advanced so many of my skills, but most importantly, it let me make a difference in my community.”
Similar to Gettysburg, Valley Forge is a location steeped in our nation’s history. The location was the Continental Army’s winter camp under the command of Gen. George Washington, early in the American Revolutionary War. It was here that Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben worked with Washington to turn the undisciplined Continental Army into a formidable fighting force capable of defeating the British.
During her internship, Koup researched, designed, and created an interactive “tabletop” educational program about fifes and drums from the American Revolutionary War. Her music-inspired presentation attracted the attention of more than 60 visitors and offered an opportunity to refine her communication, problem solving, and leadership skills. Plus, Koup noted, “Who doesn’t love playing on a drum to learn 18th-century drum commands?”
Koup also contributed visitor-focused digital content to Valley Forge’s Facebook and Instagram accounts, which have nearly 100,000 combined followers. One of her ideas, a “speed run” of Washington’s Headquarters, received over 16,000 views between the two social platforms.
“While the main intention of my idea was to be humorous,” she said, “the video tour of the headquarters area offers a visualization of the size of the area, which can help individuals plan their visit before arriving.”
“A liberal arts education provides you with a foundation of knowledge that can be applied to any aspect of life.”
– Ella Koup ’27
Koup credits her coursework, specifically an organizational behavior course taught by Management Prof. Rebecca He, and co-curricular activities at Gettysburg College for preparing her for the internship. In addition to her dual majors, she has maintained leadership positions with the Bullets Marching Band and Sigma Alpha Iota music fraternity, while playing in the Wind Symphony, Jazz Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, and Brass Quintet.
“It may seem unusual that a music and business, organizations, and management double major decided to complete an internship designed for history majors,” she said. “However, I was able to incorporate my music degree into this internship with my tabletop program, and I used the problem solving skills I learned in my management classes to interact with visitors.
“While my classes and activities had a huge impact on my work as an intern, I think that living in Gettysburg also provided me with a foundation to interact with visitors,” she continued. “Living in Gettysburg offered me a new perspective on what most visitors experience when they visit Valley Forge for the first time.”
Growing up near Valley Forge, Koup experienced the significant impact history can have on the community. Her time living and studying in Gettysburg has continued to develop that understanding and how she can build connections that people can relate to and embrace.
Reflecting on her internship, Koup believes the Career-Ready Experience she gained at Valley Forge will serve her well as she considers a career in music administration. As a Guided Pathways participant, Koup sees her internship as applicable to the Career Development Pathway.
“I love the Guided Pathways program because it gives you the foundation to turn your experiences into something tangible to discuss in job applications or interviews,” she said. “A liberal arts education provides you with a foundation of knowledge that can be applied to any aspect of life, which I think is invaluable.”
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By Michael Vyskocil
Photos provided by Ella Koup ’27
Posted: 04/02/26