STUDENTS USE SUMMER INTERNSHIPS
to Prepare for Their Future
Internships are a valuable way to help students succeed in their chosen fields of work. Experience is a quality that both Spartanburg Methodist College and employers around the world see as a great tool for future success.
SMC considers internships such an important part of a student’s college education that it’s a required part of the professional development curriculum for bachelor’s degree students. The College is dedicated to helping find and offer students the best possible internships to supplement their growth and education.
Megan Georgion, the Dean of Career and Student Success at SMC, helped explain the importance of internships at the College.
Q Why is it so important for college students to experience working an internship?
A Internships are so important because they allow students to “try out” a career before committing to it. Internships often solidify to a student that the career is the right choice for them, but sometimes it helps a student decide to pivot to something different. Finding out that you aren’t interested in a career while in college saves a student a ton of time, effort, and energy instead of committing post graduation and then not enjoying that career.
Q In what ways does the Camak Core prepare students to succeed in the internships they go into?
A The Camak Core helps students learn to communicate professionally (oral, written, non-verbal), how to navigate the application and interview process, how to handle workplace conflict, develop leadership skills, manage projects, master workplace technologies, and more. As a part of the curriculum, these courses ensure students are exposed to and can demonstrate necessary workplace readiness skills and traits that contribute to success in internships, as well as their future careers.
Internships are so important because they allow students to “try out” a career before committing to it.
Q How many hours do students need to intern to get the 3 credit hours for their Camak Core?
A Students need a total of 120 contact hours to earn the three credits. These hours can be broken into 40-hour (1credit) increments if the student wants to explore multiple internships.
Q How does SMC help students find internships?
A Advisors in the SMC Experience work with students to help them find an internship! We’ve also recently hired an Employee Relations Manager who will continue to build SMC’s employer pipeline and develop internship opportunities with local businesses. The College utilizes Handshake, where local and national businesses can post internship and job opportunities for our students
SUMMER INTERNS ON WHAT THEY LEARNED
Over the summer of 2021, SMC had several students who took part in the internship program. We asked them what they learned, the biggest things they took away from their experience, and why their internship was so important to them. Here’s what the interns had to say:
ARIANA ARGUEDAS
WREN AND WYATT
“Throughout my internship experience, I had various roles. I was able to learn about the ins and outs of a business, including marketing, advertising, social media, SEO, and project management. My internship was important for me because it allowed me to explore different career paths and choose something that I was interested in. It also allowed me to find my passion within the workforce.”
HAILEY BREEDING
SPARTANBURG METHODIST COLLEGE
“I learned how to communicate better with a big group. I learned how to think on the spot and problem solve in a timely manner. I, now, know how to set up completely for an event. I wanted to expand my knowledge on setting up for events. I was able to do that with the help of the staff on the enrollment team. I was also wanting to work with prospective students and help them have a great experience on campus.”
LEAH CRAIN
SHERMAN COLLEGE OF CHIROPRACTIC
“I learned better leadership skills. I also gained experience in marketing, specifically through social media. It was very important that I gained this experience and got to see marketing in a workplace rather than from a textbook or PowerPoint.”
KENNEDY HOWARD
ELITE HOMECARE AND DAY CENTERS- GREER OFFICE
“I learned some insight into running large businesses and furthered my passion to help other people. I loved doing this internship because while getting experience to help me in the future, I was able to do something that I really enjoyed related to my career field.”
ALEXIS COBB
CITY OF SHELBY
“I learned how to interview people. I learned how to do the different kinds of paperwork for each employee. My internship was so important to me because the internship was to let me know if this is what I want to do for my career.”
KAMILAH COOK
ESPECIAL OLYMPICS SOUTH CAROLINA
“During my time at SOSC, I learned how to create an education-related curriculum for a summer program, how to use Microsoft Excel effectively, and more about different applications used to send out mass emails. This internship allowed me to explore both the education and communications/journalism fields. This helped me realize that I want to work in both fields, specifically through higher education.”
CARYN HUDSON
HORIZON CHRISTIANS ACADEMY
“I got experience working with children. I also figured out a way to make sure that my co-workers and I work together as a team so one of us doesn’t feel alone. My co-workers and I worked together to help each other out no matter what. I also learned the path of different classrooms. My internship was important to me because it helped me figure out which subject and grade that I want to teach one day. It has been a good experience for me because I got to do the fun activities with children. My internship was also important to me because it helped and taught me how to become a successful teacher one day.”
SELENA SOTO
THE BORGEN PROJECT
“I learned to do thorough research. I also learned to check my emails and meet deadlines on time. (The internship was important to me) because I like writing and got to do just that.”
MATTIE MEIKLEJOHN
WREN & WYATT
“I learned mostly how to source out events. I also learned how to communicate with influencers, customers, and other businesses from a public relations standpoint. My internship was important to me because I have always been interested in public relations, and this gave me the opportunity to have a sneak peek.”
RODNEY SETZER
SPARTANBURG METHODIST COLLEGE
“I learned the basics of content and social media marketing and the importance of having a backup plan and preparing for things to go wrong to minimize my mistakes. This internship was important to me because I hope to make a career of marketing, and getting a taste for it was great for reassuring myself. It also prepared me greatly for any future endeavors I have in the marketing workforce."
NOA TOBIN
WSHARON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
“I learned about online outreach via social media, how to plan and prepare worship services and church activities, and how to manage a team. I want to be a pastor someday, so I’m taking all the ministry experience I can get at this point.”
PEYTON MILLER
FIRST CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH
“While doing my internship, I learned a few things, one being I have learned how different students learn or take in materials. I also learned how to better understand the gospel, which helped me to better understand my religion and the gospel.”
KELSEA WILLIAMS
BEMC - BLACK ECONOMIC MOBILITY COALITION
“I learned that digging into my research leads you to a lot of information. Also that even in the final phase of your business, there is always something that can be done better. It was important because it helped me learn how many small minority businesses were present in Spartanburg County and taught me ways I could help them to grow and expand the brand of their business.”