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:
Emily Padilla
Emily Padilla
She is: a senior from Sparta completing her degree in Communication Studies with a minor in International Communications.
Her internship: Emily is working with Ferris’ Advancement office in Donor Relations. “My internship allows me to use my communications skills through interactions with donors and networking at events such as the Jim Crow Museum event held in June at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. The pace of activities will be picking up as we conclude summer and move into the next academic year.”
How Emily Found Her Internship: “I actively pursued any leads on internships that I could find by asking professors on campus and my Ferris friends. Kristi Scholten, associate professor and area coordinator in communication, was aware of the donor relations internship and thought I would be a good fit for that position.”
Emily’s Future Plans: “This internship has given me important perspectives on collaborative efforts, both in our department and with other university areas. All these efforts are intended to benefit students, presenting different experiences than my previous jobs in an office or restaurant. I look forward to gaining new insights and creating relationships that could help me with my future career, whatever that may be.”
More About Emily: “I have not participated in many campus activities at the university, being a working commuter student living in Grand Rapids. I want to change that pattern and be more active at Ferris, as the Fall semester is my last opportunity before graduation.”
Ferris Core Values and Emily:
- Collaboration: “Developing the ability to work with others is a useful skill. I enjoy the chance to work with others in my office or with other departments as those occasions come up.”
- Diversity: “I see a wide range of people in the Advancement office who are all focused on benefits for Ferris’ students and the university. I have found it to be an interesting and enjoyable dynamic.”
- Excellence: “As I end my Ferris experience, I have found as much value in the journey to my degree
as the destination presents. I am happy that this internship opportunity has shown
me how to approach and achieve personal goals with the assistance of my peers in Advancement.”