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:
Anna Hardy
She is: Anna Hardy, a senior in Hospitality Management from Belleville.
Her Internship: “I will be participating in the Disney College Program at Disney World at Epcot. I will be working at the attraction ‘Living with the Land.’ It has been a dream of mine to years to be able to have the experience of working at Disney. I am hoping this program will help with my future goals in the hospitality field.”
Was Ferris Involved In Securing Your Internship? “My amazing advisor Amy Dorey encouraged me to take this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work for Disney. I was very hesitant in the beginning, as this program is for six months, which is very scary. However, Amy made sure that I would still graduate on time and be able to enjoy my program.”
Future Plans: “As someone who wants to be a wedding planner, Disney was a slight risk for me to do since I won’t be working directly with weddings. Since being here, I have been able to network with the wedding pavilion team and hope that one day I will be able to work for the Disney wedding planning team in the future.”
Is This Your First Internship? “I have worked with a wedding planning company called Swanky Soiree in Sarasota, Florida.”
Anna’s Advice for Students Seeking Internships: “I want them to understand internships are the best since they offer you a peek at what your future would be like. I always recommend doing several different types of internships in your field to see what job you like most.”
Other Involvements On Campus: “I was on the Ferris State Dance Team for three years and was the team’s vice president for two years. I am taking a break as I complete my six-month internship program at Disney.”
Ferris Core Value Anna Relates to: Opportunity. “Ferris offers students many different types of opportunities, on and off campus. In Hospitality Management, they offer multiple field trips and jobs that will let you experience the different types of careers in the hospitality field.”