BETHANY POWLS
Editor-in-Chief
As a self-proclaimed liberal arts institution, Bethel prides itself in providing students with both education and the appropriate amount of experience for their designated fields. This often manifests itself in the acquisition of internships and job placements, which serve to provide experience in chosen fields.
“My internship is at KWCH-TV in Wichita, where I serve as a meteorology intern… it does provide crucial learning and experience opportunities related to my career of interest, which is in the realm of meteorology… I plan on getting my MS in Atmospheric Science at the University of Kansas following graduation from Bethel, so I thought it was crucial in getting in-field experience before continuing my education,” Jerod Kaufman, senior from Moundridge, said.
Usually internships are located near campus in order to accommodate busy schedules, in addition to the schedules provided by said internships, which can be pretty rigorous depending on the job.
“A day at work typically consists of me sitting down and looking at current satellite images and weather model data. I then use these to create a weather forecast for the next 10 days, in which I predict cloud cover, high/low temperatures, and wind conditions. After comparing these predictions with the meteorologist there, I create/edit graphics for presenting on TV. To finish, I rehearse my forecast monologue in front of the TV camera. It's tough work,” Kaufman said.
Kaufman’s internship is not required in order to fulfill his degree in mathematics. However, other departments are required to complete an internship or job placement experience.
“My Field Experience placement is at Schowalter Villa in Hesston, engaging with the Assisted Living residents to listen to their life journeys and support them through the pandemic. This class is part of my Human Services (Social Work) minor degree,” said Linda Moyo, senior from Newton.
Moyo’s job is located in the Assisted Living area, where she visits and engages with the residents.
“Depending on the eagerness of the particular resident, I have spent from as little as an hour to up to 2 hours engaging with them in the comfort of their homes. On any given day, I do not try to visit more than two individuals because whole-heartedly listening to someone open up emotionally and intake all of who they are requires an abundance of mental energy. My particular placement, unlike others, is extremely hands-off because I am engaging with residents and listening to their life stories which most of the time include confidential information,” Moyo said.
Moyo has a supervisor that she consults with on a regular basis to make sure that her work is aligning with her career aspirations and the requirements of her degree.
“What is so beautiful and unique about my placement is that I get the privilege to listen to residents' triumphs, struggles, silly memories, wisdom, and much more. In addition, I get to experience an entire lifetime of various individuals' life experiences while making sure I do my diligence in making sure that they feel seen, heard, and understood,” Moyo said.
Ally Weaver, junior from Hesston, is serving her internship at Wichita's channel 12 KWCH Eyewitness News station for her communication arts degree.
“My typical day starts with me arriving at the station and spending about half an hour gathering story ideas to pitch at the 2pm production meeting with all the reporters, producers, and varying managers. Then, I go out to report a story with one of the reporters! They show me how they put different types of stories together, how to use the newsroom software to edit and compile audio and film, and give me pointers on how to be natural when reporting on camera. It has taught me to be very forthcoming if I want something—persistence pays off when trying to get sources for stories, be first on the scene to report breaking news,” Weaver said.
For all three of these students, internships and job placements have provided meaningful experience.
“The most memorable moment of my internship so far has been my first day recording a shot. All of the sudden, there was breaking news - a water main break in Wichita - and everyone was in an uproar trying to get reporters in appropriate places. The feeling in the newsroom was so electric! I got to go out and record a 'live shot' among all the chaos, which was an invaluable learning experience,” Weaver said.
For Kaufman, being involved in a workplace that could potentially resemble a future workplace was crucial.
“My most memorable moment was probably when I created my first forecast. It was scary to make my own calculations and compare them to what Peyton Sanders (the meteorologist there that day) had. Needless to say, we weren't 100% in agreement with numbers or conditions, but it was still a pivotal experience for me in that I could do something that I have always dreamed of doing,” Kaufman said.
While quite a few majors do not require internship experience, nor do many of them offer it, internship and job placement opportunities are still available for students. For more information, please contact Megan Kershner, director of career and leadership development at mkershner@bethelks.edu.
“I strongly urge that all students pursue internships in a field that interests them the most. Internships give you real-world experience, the knowledge that you might not be getting from a class lecture, and most importantly it gives you the chance to learn about yourself. All these benefits then guide you in figuring out what it is you want to do with your life,” Moyo said.
