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:
Kendra Hincka
Kendra Hincka
She is: a native of Highland, Michigan, entering her senior year with dual majors in Forensic Biology and Biotechnology.
Her Internship: Kendra is at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. “I am learning about the microbiome environment in the soil as tissue is present over time. This information can be useful in forensic cases to determine the presence of a decomposing organism based on the levels of different bacteria in the surrounding area. I am also learning about how much DNA can be extracted from damaging samples such as bones that have been burned.”
How Ferris Helped Kendra Secure her Internship: “The university promoted sources for finding internship opportunities. My advisor was also involved in determining which opportunities would be more beneficial for my personal goals.”
Kendra’s Future Plans: “I hope to apply to a graduate program focusing on genetics. After this, I plan to go into academic research setting with a forensic interest.
This internship can increase my skills in this field of research (genetics) and form several connections to those in different areas. I have interacted with several people who have gone into public health fields, management, and lab technicians in other areas such as lipidomics and cancer research.”
Other Campus Involvement: “I am a member of the DNA-Biotechnology Club. I also work on the COVID surveillance project at the Shimadzu Core Lab.”
Advice to Fellow Students Seeking Internships: “I believe it is okay to go for a broader look at a topic that interests you rather than trying to focus on something specific. Also, remember to follow up with the listed contact as deadlines approach. Sometimes you haven’t heard back due to funding or because they don’t provide an answer. Take the risk.”
Ferris Core Value Kendra Relates to: Opportunity and Diversity. “Despite all the odds against me growing up with older and poor parents, I achieved my high school diploma and an associate degree the same year thanks to the Oakland Accelerated College Experience (ACE) in 2021 as an average student. Here I could determine which college and program was right for me and manage the transition with the help of scholarships, grants, and loans without much help from my family. Ferris provided several scholarships to help with costs and manage changes.”