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:
Derek Franciosi
Derek Franciosi
He is: a dual major in Digital Animation and Game Design, with Television and Digital Media Production as his secondary emphasis. Derek earned an Associate of Applied Science in Digital Media from Ferris in 2022.
His Internship and Making a Difference: “I am extremely honored to be the rebrand coordinator for the Ferris eSports team. Jono Eaton, the director of Ferris eSports, discussed creating a new vision for the team as we make our way to the new Center of Virtual Learning this fall. With a new arena and production equipment, we thought this would be the perfect time to create a new identity and put ourselves on the national scene for eSports Production.
I will lead the effort to create new content from the ground up for Ferris eSports. This means creating a complete asset package, including new graphics, videos, photos, and 3D/2D assets. Leading something like this, while daunting, has been quite the journey so far. Diving deep into a leading role like this gives me the confidence to put myself out there as an artist and collaborator. This kind of hands-on work experience will be crucial in the industry.”
Advice for Other Students Regarding Internships: “Reach out to your internship coordinator early and express what you hope to get from your potential internship. Doing this gets your foot in the door and lets your coordinator know you and your strengths. This will help get you a more fitted internship that will help jump-start you to getting a job in the industry.
Additionally, put yourself out there and look for any opportunities you think will fit. Sometimes you will be able to find a gem. With my internship, I was lucky to have that happen.”
Other Ferris Activities: “I am the current president and captain of the Ferris State Disc Golf team for a second year now, and have been a part of the team since 2020. Previously, I was on the Ferris cross country and track and field team before the pandemic hit.”
More About Derek: “I am a first-generation student. The journey to get here was very tricky as I was stepping off the worn path of going straight to work out of high school. While that is not a bad option, the field I wanted to seek to be involved in meant more learning, networking, and building myself. I am proud to be able to be the first in my family to receive a degree. I hope my story and the countless other first-gen stories can inspire other prospective first-gens to leap to pursue a degree in higher education. It’s more than worth it.”