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: Steven Rutkowski
He is: A senior in the Computer Information Services program from Grand Rapids, Mich.
Internship: An intern at Gordon Food Service in Grand Rapids, Mich.
What he is learning: While on his internship, Rutkowski is learning how to apply everything he’s learned at Ferris to real life at his internship experience. His project has been extremely engaging, he has to recreate reports for internal use. He had to apply things that he didn’t know, specifically Java learning on the fly. Collaboration has been a big part of Rutkowski’s internship, he worked a lot on his own, but was always able to ask people for help and to pick their brain. He always had the support of his team members and was able to reach out to them.
How Ferris helped: Ferris helped prepare Rutkowski for his success within his internship. Everything has transferred over, and getting through school with good grades helped prove that he could learn things hands-on. He really enjoys applying what he learned at school to his internship.
His future plans: Upon graduation, Rutkowski hopes that he can stay with Gordon Food Service and would love to remain in Western Michigan.