IU Kokomo salutes students for their contributions on Indiana Intern Day

As a future occupational therapy assistant, Jordyn Danner will need excellent communication skills to interact with her clients. Dre’Veon Lewis isn’t sure what his career path is, so he sought chances to explore options.

Both Indiana University Kokomo students gained the experience they needed as interns in the campus’s Office of University Advancement and Media and Marketing.

The campus celebrated these students, and all IU Kokomo students who have participated in work-based learning, on Indiana Intern Day. The commemoration celebrated the importance of internships and their contributions to innovation in Indiana.

Danner, a sophomore, assisted vice chancellor for advancement and media and marketing Crystal Jones, while Lewis, a senior, worked with campus videographer/photographer Mike Glassburn.

Danner’s work included writing thank-you notes to donors, helping plan the campus golf outing and Chancellor’s Guild dinner, and other tasks. While the work wasn’t directly related to her career aspirations, she gained experiences that transfer to any profession.

“Having professional communication skills is really important, regardless of what major you have,” the Kokomo resident said. “It’s a life skill that’s crucial to develop, that you can’t get in a classroom setting.”

She also learned how to work as part of a team and collaborate with her co-workers. She enjoyed getting an inside look at her campus and said the relationships she built were her favorite part of her internship

“My internship has allowed me to have a different perspective on IU than that of a student,” Danner said. “I get to see a bigger picture of the university as a whole. I’ve seen how much the staff cares for how the students do, not just academically, but personally. I’ve gained better skills in organization, adapting to workplace challenges, and understanding and prioritizing deadlines, which are basic life skills.”

She learned about the internship through Handshake, a platform available to students through the campus career center.

Lewis, a new media, art, and technology major, arranged his internship at the suggestion of his academic advisor. He was taking a photography class with Glassburn, who has mentored him as he has created video content for campus social media. Lewis says he can see his growth not only in video and photography skills, but in confidence.

“The first time I went, I was shy and didn’t know what to do. I was basically right behind Mike the whole time,” he said. “Now, I can shoot video independently. I’m producing a lot and getting more comfortable. I’m able to edit a lot more quickly. I’m able to do different angles and find different ways to make a video without having to ask Mike what to do. I’ve grown so much.”

He appreciated being part of the Media and Marketing team with Glassburn.

“One of the main reasons I wanted to be an intern was to learn what it’s like to work in a professional setting,” said Lewis, from Kokomo. “You recognize you aren’t working alone. You have other people on your team you can ask for help.”

After this experience, he’s considering working photography and videography into his career.

“My internship has made me become adaptable to do either one,” he said.

Lewis and Danner are two of many IU Kokomo interns who are gaining work-based experience on campus and in the community. Tracy Springer, assistant vice chancellor for student affairs, noted that most majors require an internship, research experience, or clinical experience in their field.

“Internships provide students with an opportunity to apply their classroom knowledge to the real world, while developing the skills that are essential in the workplace, such as communication, teamwork, problem solving, and the day-to-day technical skills needed for that industry,” she said. “It also gives students a chance to network with professionals in their field, which can sometimes lead to job offers after the internship is over. Students walk away from their internship with relevant work experience, developed skill sets, professional connections, clarity about their career choice, and a better understanding of workplace culture.”

Education is KEY at Indiana University Kokomo.