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Summer Internships: Christa Keys

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:

Christa KeysChrista Keys

She is: completing the requirements of her Applied Speech Communication degree with a concentration in Public Advocacy by serving her internship with Ferris’ Office of Admissions and Financial Aid. Christa is from Lewiston, Michigan.

What Christa is Learning/Making a Difference: “The Admissions office doesn’t stop after a student is sent an acceptance email. Recruiters continue to work around the clock to make sure students are completing their next steps and getting students in touch with the correct people. I’ve learned so many techniques on how to base my phone calls on each student’s individual story and their needs.

Every Thursday, I hosted a Transfer Talk Zoom Meeting with admitted transfer students to review their next steps. I could tell I was doing something right throughout the presentations because I could see lightbulbs turn on in students’ minds about things they had to do. In addition to sharing some next steps, I shared my story. I explained that there might be a loss of connection since transfer students haven’t been a Bulldog since day one. I showed the students in my presentation all the unique parts of campus like the Writing and Academic Support Centers, but also the LGBTQ+ and Veterans Recourse Center. A lot of students do not realize we have these outlets, so I wanted to make sure to include everything I could.”

Advice for Students Seeking Internships: “An internship will not just fall from the sky and land in your lap. You have to network yourself, put yourself out there, and be prepared for rejection. When approaching a company about an internship, have your goals and expectations in mind, but be willing to compromise. Before reaching out to a company, do research and learn about their mission statement or take pride in it. If you don’t agree with a company’s goals, I don’t suggest following through with internship inquiries. Most importantly, be yourself. Whoever you end up interning with will see your good side and bad side, because we all know there can be bad days on the job, so go into the interview being your best self.”

Future Plans: “I want my future to be full of happiness, gratitude, and success. Alongside those things, I want to be an admissions recruiter for a university for five to 10 years, then become an academic advisor. I learned that this was the path for me when I was working at North Central Michigan College as an orientation leader and tour guide because I saw students walk on campus confused and nervous, but then leave there feeling relieved and understood. I learned that I wanted to help people in the most unique way, by starting them on their path to the future.’

Ferris Core Value Christa Identifies with: Opportunity. “The unique thing about Ferris is that there is just endless opportunities and options. Having over 220 RSO’s is a huge thing, because the more clubs and organizations a student joins, just leads to more networking and connections to be made. I felt like my opportunities were endless when I was at Ferris, and scoring my second internship solidified that for me. It’s always a great day to be a Bulldog.”

MEET THE INTERNS HOMEPAGE