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:
Brandon Wirth
He is: A senior in Sports Communication from Reed City, pursuing minors in Multimedia Journalism and Social Media & Digital Communication, with management and leadership concentrations.
His Internship: Is with the Big Rapids Radio Network of Mentor Partners, a broadcast outlet based in Big Rapids. “As an aspiring play-by-play broadcaster, spending time at the station has unveiled how audiences interact and connect through the airwaves. This has taught me how to advance my broadcasting skills in communication, marketing, and journalism. Not only has it helped me advance professionally, but I have had the opportunity to give back to my local community through the process. Additionally, working with the Big Rapids Daily News and Mentor Partners, Inc. has allowed me to cover the area in news, sports, and entertainment both on air, in print, and live from the press box.”
Advice for Students Seeking Internships: “Connect with your program leaders and fellow students. In many industries, especially sports, who you know professionally and personally can be just as important as what you know and learn. Using school-provided resources like Handshake, RSOs, job fairs, individual connections, and online platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed can bring a plethora of options. In addition, these internships can often provide the hands-on experience and crucial connections that businesses are looking for when hiring future employees.”
More about Brandon:” Outside of class and work, I am a varsity athlete within the Men’s Cross Country and Track & Field programs. I also participate in several clubs on campus, including Sports Careers RSO, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Bulldog Radio.”
Future Plans: “This internship has allowed me to grow in news journalism, being a broadcast talent, and especially sports broadcasting. Learning key skills while having the freedom of creativity in the process has helped me develop a professional identity that I can improve day by day. With this internship, I have been allowed to perform the recordings and broadcasts, keep the material, evaluate all positives and negatives, and use them for my portfolio.”
Ferris Core Values Brandon Relates to: Opportunity and collaboration. “During my time, I have been able to excel in learning
and competing at a high level. Also, opportunities like creating my podcast, broadcasting
a sporting event, and helping manage a campus-wide event have allowed me to excel
professionally outside of an “orthodox student experience.” Crossover relationships
and connections have allowed me to support group collaboration and build a greater
impact. Overall, all of these parts within my Ferris State experience have brought
huge collaboration and opportunity that is hard to find anywhere else.”
MEET THE INTERNS HOMEPAGE