Milligan University student’s continue to gain experience through internships this semester despite a global pandemic.
“Students gain valuable experience and develop marketable skills through an internship,” said Director of Calling and Career Exploration, Beth Anderson. “Even if an internship is not directly related to their future career, the opportunity to build competencies valued and sought out by all employers will give Milligan students the competitive edge in the marketplace.”
Senior Emma Kate Brown Interns with FoundersForge
Senior and business major, Emma Kate Brown has had the opportunity to work with FoundersForge of Johnson City, Tenn.
FoundersForge is a nonprofit organization of entrepreneurs who, alongside creating their own businesses, help other entrepreneurs and startups in the Appalachian highlands. Their teams work with a number of startups, but because of the pandemic, their main clients have been in need of technology assistance.
FoundersForge mission statement is, “We believe in the underdog entrepreneurs and helping them on their startup journeys.”
Brown manages marketing and media research, posting and creation alongside her efforts to further her ideas of starting her own business.
“One of my first assignments has been to create a job description of what my dream job would be and a few mentors from our team will help me on my journey to achieve my goal,” said Brown.
“I am really enjoying my experience at FoundersForge, especially the creativity piece,” said Emma Kate. “David is a wonderful boss and is invested in me and my future which not many interns can claim.”
Senior Belle Kemp interns with Upper East Tennessee Human Development Agency
Senior and social work major, Belle Kemp has had an opportunity to be a head start intern through Upper East Tennessee Human Development Agency in Kingsport.
Their goal is to provide education, direction and support to individuals, families and organizations in order to strengthen and stabilize the community through collaborative efforts of agency programs and cooperative partnerships.
Kemp plans to pursue a Masters in Business Administration after she graduates this year. Her field supervisor has allowed her to work with several managers at the UETHDA headquarters, including the facilities manager, the program development and technology manager and the family engagement manager in order to gain not only social work experience but also business-related experience.
However, the coronavirus has made her internship take a non-traditional route and work mostly remotely, especially at the start of the semester.
“It was hard for me to gain hands-on experience from my dorm room,” explained Kemp. “Some days, my supervisor truly did not know what tasks I could do remotely, but, due to quarantining and other unexpected circumstances, I HAD to work remotely and it was very disheartening to begin an internship like that.”
Kemp finally had the chance to work in-person mid-October and throughout all of November, but still the coronavirus remained a very prominent issue.
“Working onsite allowed me to gain experience with the kids, as well as the parents, but COVID-19 still crept up even at Children First location when one student’s parent tested positive for COVID-19,” said Kemp. “Social workers never know what to expect when they enter into their workplace, but COVID adds even more stress to an already stressful and unpredictable job.”
Internships are always a good opportunity for students to have a glimpse of a career like-job related to their field of study.
Kemp explained that this internship made it clear for her that she needs a more hands-on job upon graduation.
“I do not want to merely work a desk job every day,” Kemp said. “I feel that the Lord has called me to physically go and make a difference in the lives of others while preaching His love through the way I speak and act.”
Kemp is drawn to middle age teenagers, specifically and desires to work with people and actively advocate on their behalf.
“This internship was not one that allowed me to do any of that, it helped me see that I am called to ministry,” Kemp explained.
Doing an internship prior to graduation can help students tremendously before they enter the “real” world and gives them valuable experiences to help them decide on a long term career.