West Virginia Wesleyan College and Buckhannon area businesses and non-profit organizations have been long-time partners.  One of the most valuable features for both College students and area businesses has been internship programs.  Wesleyan students receive the benefit of applying classroom principles to real-world situations, while businesses and non-profit organizations benefit from the students’ creativity and enthusiasm.

While other students are completing internships at the Washington Center with members of Congress, government agencies, and legal offices, several Wesleyan students are gaining real-world experience at a variety of locations in Buckhannon.

Jessica Holley, senior public relations major from Beckley, WV, is completing two internship programs this year, both in the Buckhannon area.  Her first experience was with WBUC-TV3 where she wrote and broadcasted a “Weekly Wesleyan Update” segment every Wednesday.  She also helped write and record radio commercials and recruited guests for a weekly radio roundtable discussion show.  In addition, she had the opportunity to work behind the camera and produce various television shows. 

Holley developed a marketing brochure and website in her second internship experience with Molly’s Photography. “Both internship experiences allowed me the opportunity to network with community leaders and contribute back to the Buckhannon community,” says Holley.  “The experiences also provided confidence and direction for my future career endeavors. 

Julia Shakeri hopes her internship experience will increase her chances of admittance to veterinary medicine school.  The biology major and chemistry minor from University Park, MD, is completing a “General Vet Care and Learning in Miniature Horses” with Hodges Miniature Horse Farm.  Shakeri has worked three semesters at the local business where she has learned how to drive horses and become educated about pregnancy, foal care and socialization, weaning, and other various related aspects such as behavior changes in a mother to be and what they signify. 

Gus Fernandez, senior marketing major from Kissimmee, FL, and Leslie Batove, senior graphic arts major from Hickory, PA, are both completing field experiences at the Stockert Youth Center in Buckhannon.  Fernandez has been working on a feasibility study that relates to a capital campaign to raise funds for an expansion to the facility.  Batove is teaching art in a program named Stock-Art, a weekly program that focuses on instructing area youth the elements of art. She also demonstrates after-school projects two days a week to promote the development of their creative skills. 

Both students have found their experiences helpful with their career goals.  “I have had the opportunity to implement marketing theory into practice,” adds Fernandez.  “In addition, I have been able to present my ideas to members of the Board as well as other city officials.  My internship at the Stockert Youth Center will clearly help me in the advertising and public relations field, my career path.” 

“This experience has provided more career direction,” notes Batove, who will attend graduate school next year to pursue a master’s degree in art education. “Adding what I most valued from my classroom experience as a student, I have been able to develop what I believe to be an exciting and effective approach for teaching elementary students.”

Kim Cottrill, senior communication studies and psychology major from Spencer, WV, is completing an internship in the Pastoral Care Department at St. Joseph’s Hospital under the supervision of Katie Davis Perperas, a 2003 Wesleyan graduate. This has been a wonderful learning experience,” notes Cottrill.  “We take part in therapeutic listening with hospital patients and their families and provide support services in individual and group settings.  My academic experience at Wesleyan has been enhanced by taking all I have learned in the classroom setting and putting those concepts in practice.  Knowledge is important, but I have found that skill is another crucial area of personal development.”

Senior Stephanie Miller is hoping her public relations internship at Buckhannon Fitness Center will lead to employment in her chosen field after graduation this spring.  The Shinnston, WV, native has been serving as a consultant for the non-profit center, marketing its image as well as promoting membership and business sponsorships.  “I have learned to implement what I have learned in the classroom,” says Miller.  “Hopefully, my contributions will also help the fitness center attract more clients.”

Not all internships are completed off-campus.  Senior Abby Burge of Parkersburg, WV, is completing her field study in the College’s alumni office assisting with event planning.  That office just completed the Senior Grad Fair and is busily preparing for the upcoming Commencement weekend.

“Employers rate former student-interns as ‘low-risk’ hires who are not likely to use their first real job as a testing ground for career interests,” says Barbara Morrissette, academic and career advisor.  “An internship is the place to practice the skills, the jargon, and the ‘street smarts’ that complement the classroom approach to any discipline.  It is the student-intern who will hit the ground running in the first post-grad position.  Buckhannon employers in diverse workplaces have welcomed Wesleyan interns warmly.  They enable students in many majors to share with interviewers stories of challenges and achievements they have ‘lived,’ and to pursue the first step on their career paths with confidence.”