During her time as a student at Southwest Baptist University, Mikaya Wallis has taken
advantage of internship opportunities.
Mikaya's internships have included: Missouri Department of Conservation, SBU's Office of Marketing and Communications and working for author and blogger Phylicia Masonheimer.
Through each of these internships, the senior organizational and strategic communication major has been able to expand on what she has learned in the classroom. She has had the chance to enhance her skills in writing, graphic design and social media analytics, and feels she has been prepared for each experience.
“Every professor I have had at SBU has taken time to help develop my skill and craft,” Mikaya said. “The one-on-one attention I have received from SBU faculty has provided me with extra knowledge that has carried over into my internship.”
This summer, Mikaya wanted to travel and work with a Christian nonprofit organization. That desire led to the opportunity to learn marketing operations with Focus on the Family, while working with Aprimo to reduce inefficiencies within the company.
The support and mentoring she has received at SBU have been essential in her academics as well as in gaining career experience through her internships.
“I have been privileged to attend an institution where professors care not only about my academic success, but also success in my personal life,” Mikaya said. “There is nothing better than receiving an encouraging text or email from a professor. They go above and beyond to mold you into a Christian leader.”
SBU also provided Mikaya the opportunity to start her own business – Shepherd's Trading Post – through a competition hosted by the Enactus team, and SBU faculty have guided her along the way.
“I am forever thankful for that,” Mikaya said of the opportunity. “They equipped me with essential knowledge for my business. I also got Chip Gaines to help me with an advertising project thanks to Dr. Angie Brown-Peterson – not many people can say that. Mr. Grant Cochran is always ready to help with critiquing a design, and Dr. Levi Bridge is just a phone call away.”
That encouragement also has been meaningful in her Christian walk.
“SBU has shown me how important mentorship and discipleship is,” Mikaya said. “These spiritual disciplines were modeled by Jesus, so it is foolish of us not to do them. I have also been shown the importance of authentic community within a body of believers.”