Summer internships reinforce classroom learning

Payton spent the summer as a Digital Marketing Intern for McKie Ford, an auto dealership in Rapid City, South Dakota. In the role, she designed print and digital materials, assisted with content creation, participated in vendor meetings, and photographed a variety of events. 

As a Marketing Intern for A Place At Home, a home healthcare company in Omaha, Loosvelt focused on creating social media content, assisting with event planning, conducting interviews, and developing other digital campaigns.

Payton said the experience taught her how to create unique brand voices for varying companies.

“When I joined McKie Ford, they had just acquired Sturgis Motorsports and Indian Motorcycle Sturgis. I created different deliverables for each dealership including social media content. I had to learn how to switch brand voices and make sure each dealership kept its distinct character,” she said.

Loosvelt said the internship prepared her for life after college.

“A summer internship helped me step outside my comfort zone and gain confidence before entering the workforce. It allowed me to explore different responsibilities within my field while building professional relationships,” she said.

In Payton’s opinion, obtaining hands-on learning outside the classroom is great real-world preparation. She said, based on her experience, it is a safe space to make mistakes and explore interests before committing to a job after graduation. Additionally, she learned to accept feedback with humility and use it as a chance to grow.

After summer ended, Payton’s opportunity was extended, and she continues to work remotely part-time for McKie Ford while taking courses in Chadron.

Loosvelt learned how rewarding it is to see hard work pay off.

“Seeing the events I planned and the content I created be successful gave me a sense of pride and accomplishment. I am grateful for the experience and the opportunity to learn from professionals in the industry, and I would recommend it to any students,” she said.

Associate Professor in Communication Arts Julian Berrian believes the two students will find success in their careers.  

“Josie Loosvelt and Grace Payton both earned rave reviews from their respective internship supervisors. The respectable and responsible manner in which the two students carried out their internship duties will likely pave the way to gainful employment after graduation,” he said.

According to Berrian, undergraduate level internship experience is invaluable.

“Unlike a classroom experience, in which success is primarily measured by breadth and depth of information retention, fruitful internships are often predicated on students effectively learning how to comport themselves in professional settings while adapting to real-life work situations,” Berrian said.