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:
Katelyn Berens
She is: a junior in Hospitality Management from Hudsonville, who is also seeking a concentration in Event Marketing. Katelyn is interning with the CranHill Ranch, in Rodney.
About Her Internship/Making A Difference: “CranHill is a campground that typically hosts family camp, summer youth camps, friendship camps, retreats, and Christian adventures, however this summer, they’re only hosting family camp. That means I get to learn many different areas and aspects of customer service. I am learning the office side of CranHill, where I handle making reservations for future guests, check them into their lots when they arrive on-site, and handle other office-related tasks. I am also learning the Barn Store side, where I assist guests when they would like to make purchases, buy activity tickets, and help with other questions or tasks. In the barn, I am learning how to care for the horses and also keeping the guests safe, when they’re around or on the horses.”
Future Plans: “My future plans are to graduate with a bachelor’s degree and go into event planning with weddings or large concerts. This internship is giving me the experience with customer service and flexibility that the hospitality industry requires.”
Advice For Students Seeking Internships: ”Don’t wait until the last minute to find an internship. You want an internship that is going to be something you enjoy, something that will help you in your career, and something that may push you to learn more.”
Other Activities On Campus: “I am involved in His House Christian Fellowship at Ferris. I am a small group leader for them and very involved. I have been attending His House since Fall 2018, which was my first semester. I also am the president of the Student Alumni Gold Club (SAGC). SAGC is the bridge between current students of Ferris and the alumni of Ferris. We help run many different events on and off, and we run the mascot program.”
Ferris Core Value Katelyn Relates to: Opportunity. “No matter where I am or what situation I am in, whether I’m at home,
school, work or somewhere else, I love having the opportunity to demonstrate leadership
and show what I can do.”
MEET THE INTERNS HOMEPAGE