ESU students ready to explore new territory through internships

Six Emporia State University students will be making their mark - from the nation's capitol to the City That Never Sleeps to sunny Florida the next few months, as they participate in three different national internship programs.

These students are going to gain work experience and get college credit, which are a few benefits of doing an internship. As an intern, students gain professional experience while in school, make valuable contacts, see first hand different working environments and gain valuable insight into the real-world jobs by applying knowledge and concepts learned in school.

Although many students participate in out-of-state internship programs, local internships, both on-and off-campus are available.

"While some ESU students pursue internships with larger companies in metropolitan areas, many students receive invaluable training as interns with local employers," said June Coleman-Hull, Career Services Career Counselor. " Emporia is a great place to gain internship experience. Along with community internships, students can develop internships with variety of departments at Emporia State .

According to Coleman-Hull, three new on-campus internship programs received funding for the spring semester.

The following departments are offering on-campus internship for the spring semester: Public Affairs and Marking, Web Design; TCS, Instructional Support; and the Memorial Union, Pottery with Pizzazz.

"As we work with employers, they continually tell us they rank direct work experience as one of the most valued qualities in new graduates. Internships are the best way to gain this experience and increase one's marketability," said Coleman-Hull. "We encourage students to complete at least one, preferably two to three, internships while they are at ESU."

ESU prides itself in having students graduating with a Bachelor's degree who have participated in one or more out-of-classroom supervised educational experience.

Four ESU students are participating in the Walt Disney World College Program. Melissa Mears, senior Recreation major from Emporia; Crystal Hastings, junior Art major from Parsons; Maureen Hill, junior Theatre major from Hutchinson; and Tranda Inrig, Art Education major from Goodland.

Mears said she is looking forward to spending seven months in Florida . Mears, who is scheduled to work in merchandise, said the Disney internship is closely related to her major. "I thought this would be a fun thing to do and a good opportunity," Mears said.

For Hastings, this is going to be an experience of "firsts." "I am looking forward to going to Orlando ," she said. "This is my first internship, first time in Florida , first trip to Disney World and first time to fly in an airplane."

Hill also said this would be her first time away from home, but she is excited about traveling to another state.

"Part of being a theatre major is that you have to be creative. This internship will allow me to be creative and will be a different experience," she said.

Inrig, who will work in life guarding, said Florida is a great way to spend next semester. Inrig will be working on several class projects for credit during her internship.

ESU senior Brandy Matthews, from Wichita , will be pulling double-duty as she does both spring and summer internships.

During both internships, Matthews, a Secondary Education major with history and government emphasis, will work with politicians.

In the spring, Matthews will work at the Topeka State Capital for Representative Mike Burgess. In the summer she will travel to Washington , D.C. where she will be working for a senator or representative. She will also have the opportunity to live at Georgetown University .

"I am excited to learn how things work in D.C. and the way things operate," Matthews said. "I am anxious to learn how Kansas politics affect national politics."

Josh Phillis, a senior Health Promotion major from Topeka , is headed to the big apple for an internship at Deloitte and Touche, the world's largest accounting firm.

Phillis will be a personal trainer and teach fitness classes at the company recreation facility.

"This is related to my major. I wanted to gain some experience that will help me in my job search after graduation," Phillis said. "I learned about the internship from the internet and I knew I meet the qualifications."

According to the 2004 Experiential Education Survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), nearly half of employers said they offer higher salaries to candidates with internship experience. In addition, employers extend fulltime job offers to nearly 60 percent of their interns.

 

Last Updated July 2, 2007>