Ferris State University students gain valuable work experience through internships.
Internships also can confirm or redirect career decision-making, provide marketability,
develop people skills and enhance classroom learning. Many academic programs require
one, but the experience is encouraged regardless to provide students with a better
understanding of what will be expected of them in the workplace.
Many students are participating in myriad internships this summer. Meet:
Courtney Wernette
She is: a junior from Troy, Mich., majoring in Biotechnology, with a minor in Forensics Biology.
Her Internship: In a research lab at Wayne State University, where the focus was hereditary links to ovarian cancer. "I helped with various experiments, meant to determine effects of mutations, and helped to develop a model cellular organism for testing."
Future Plans: Courtney believes that her internship was valuable in exposing her to possible career paths. "I would like to pursue a Ph.D., following my studies, at Ferris. I enjoyed the work that is involved in research."
Other interests at Ferris: Prior to her internship, she took part in a Study Abroad program, and spent two weeks in Scotland and Ireland. Courtney will be vice president of the DNA/Biotechnology Club, after serving as secretary last year. She also intends to travel with the His House group during Spring Break 2017, for their annual trip to Mexico, where the registered student organization builds homes.
The Ferris Core Value She Relates to: Opportunity. "Ferris presents many programs where we can gain experience, such as through contacts with the faculty, and the symposium through the Van Andel Institute. That allows us to participate in undergraduate research."