Many Southwest Baptist University students are completing unique internship experiences during their summer break. Internships are a great way to enhance your education, broaden your horizons and gain valuable real-world experience.
Hunter King, a biology major with emphasis in environmental biology from Everton,
Mo., previously served as an intern at the Kansas City Zoo and this year had the opportunity
to complete an internship at Disney working with manatees and dolphins. Hunter prepared
diets for the animals, was scuba diving every day for habitat care, helped with training
sessions, and interacted with guests during informal and formal presentations.
“My internships at Kansas City Zoo and Disney have been the best experiences of my life,” Hunter said. “I met a lot of great people, learned a lot about what I want to do in the future and learned a lot of job skills.”
Internships help students discover their passions and pursue their goals, while attaining beneficial job skills.
Emily Woods, a computer and information science major from Osceola, Mo., is interning
at Chick-fil-A Support Center in Atlanta, Ga., in their IT Services and Support Group.
Emily is working with more than 200 active groups within the corporation to collect
information, use that information to update the data system, and then create an automated
system that will improve the process for IT help requests.
“Each day I am using knowledge from SBU classes, such as System Analysis and Design, in this job,” Emily said. “SBU is helping me develop my personal and professional goals and become a servant leader in a global society.”
Preparing students to be servant leaders in a global society is at the heart of SBU’s mission. Our students are taking what they are learning to make a difference around the world.
Reece Tabor, a communication major from Nixa, Mo., spent his spring semester as an
intern for the 1U Project, an international nonprofit that works with ministries in
Ukraine serving orphans and prospective families. Even though he was in Bolivar, Reece
was able to assist them with social media strategy and web development projects. Then,
Reece traveled to Ukraine this summer with his church and the 1U Project giving him
the opportunity to meet in-person some of the partners with whom he had been working.
“Nonprofit and ministry work is where I feel God leading my life,” Reece said. “This internship directly aligns with my goals and is providing a strong base of experience invaluable to my future.”
Andrew White, an intercultural studies major from Mascoutah, Ill., is serving as an
intern in Guatemala this summer with Servants, Inc. The internship opportunity is
allowing Andrew the opportunity to learn about different ministry approaches, observe
the logistics of running a ministry abroad, and gain experience living and working
in another culture.
“The missions training I have received through SBU’s ICS program has been very beneficial during my internship here,” Andrew reports. “I have been able to see many of the lessons taught in my classes being put to use by the missionaries in the field, especially in the area of building indigenous church leadership and in helping people in a way that leads to more sustainable living.”
SBU faculty are intentional about using their connections to help students find internship opportunities that will equip them to pursue their career goals.
Alec Van Wormer, a senior accounting major from Coto de Caza, Calif., landed an internship
at BKD CPAs & Advisors in Kansas City. BKD is one of the nation’s largest CPA firms
and Alec is gaining valuable experience as he works in the tax department, primarily
working with the tax returns for the telecommunications industry.
“I would not have had this internship without the SBU faculty both in and out of the accounting department,” Alec said. “Internships are vitally important to everyone at SBU. I have been able to interview with many different companies throughout each semester at SBU. This has provided me the opportunity to receive this internship this summer. There is nothing that SBU wants more than to see their students succeed in their professional careers.”
Connecting what they are learning in the classroom to what they are observing in the workforce is a major benefit for students completing internship experiences.
Jacey Collins, a psychology major from Springfield, Mo., is spending her summer as
an intern with Mercy Hospital’s Marian Center, which is an inpatient, short-term care
facility providing general psychiatric care for adults. Jacey is leading psychoeducation
classes with patients, observing group therapy, and recording clinical observations.
“I love seeing the things I learn about in my psychology classes come to life in the mental health profession,” Jacey said. “I have been equipped with the skills to succeed in this internship because of the lessons I’ve learned from my professors and the course content I’ve studied.”
Using what they have learned in a real-world context during a summer internship helps ignite passion in students to continue to learn and grow.
Matt Gaskin, a Christian ministry major from Lawrence, Kan., is experiencing many
unique opportunities as a collegiate worship intern at The Mount Church in Keller,
Texas, this summer. In spending time at this church, Matt is learning what it is like
to be on a church staff and helping with student ministry. He will also spend several
weeks traveling with the worship pastor and band to lead worship at various youth
camps. Additionally, Matt has been involved with helping the church record a worship
album that will be released this fall.
“Several times I have used information I learned in a classroom context while being active on the field here,” Matt said. “Because of this summer, I am excited to get back to the classroom to continue learning from professors who are passionate about ministry and equipping students to be effective ministers of the Gospel.”
With more than 80 areas of study from which to choose, SBU is a great place to pursue your purpose and experience life-changing opportunities!