2024 Internship Spotlights
Gaining Experience and Clarity: Insights from Three Distinct Internship Journeys
From Armenia to Universal Studios, Liberty University Industrial & Systems Engineering students gain a wide range of experiences in their internships.
Internships play a vital role in shaping students’ careers, offering opportunities to gain real-world experience, make professional connections, and gain clarity about their futures. Katey Craig, David Owen, and Anna Aintablian each embarked on unique internship journeys during the 2023–2024 academic year, and their stories highlight the diverse opportunities and challenges faced by interns across different industries and locations.
Katey Craig: A Game-Changing Internship at Universal Studios
During the 2023–2024 academic year, Katey embarked on an exciting 10-month internship with Universal Studios in Orlando—a role she landed after a long search and a high volume of online applications. Katey Craig’s 10-month internship at Universal Studios in Orlando proved to be a pivotal step in her career journey. After an extensive search, Katey secured the position by staying persistent and applying widely. She noted that internships for the fall semester can sometimes be easier to land due to fewer applicants, a strategy she took advantage of in her search. She remained undeterred by rejections, ultimately securing this position by persisting in her search. Reflecting on the process, she noted that fall internships can sometimes be easier to secure since they tend to attract fewer applicants than summer positions.
At Universal Studios, Katey gained technical skills with new software, while also learning how to turn data insights into actionable business strategies. The experience provided more than just technical expertise—it helped her clarify her career aspirations and align her academic coursework with real-world applications.
One of Katey’s key takeaways was the value of starting internships early in a degree program to build a stronger resume and enhance the chances of landing competitive roles later on. Reflecting on her experience, she advises students to seek God’s guidance when managing workload and making career decisions. This internship not only enriched her professional skills but also gave her clarity on her career goals, an invaluable lesson she carries forward. Although she had the option to continue working part-time with Universal Studios upon her return to Liberty, she ultimately decided against it to maintain a manageable workload. Reflecting on her decision, she recommends seeking God’s guidance in choices about workload and priorities, encouraging others to listen for His direction.
One unique takeaway from her internship was that it provided her with “coat hooks” on which to organize what she was learning in her classes. Relating course material back to her internship helped her make connections between academic theory and real-world application, deepening her understanding and shaping her career aspirations.
Overall, Katey considers long-term internships like her experience at Universal Studios to be invaluable, especially as her fall responsibilities evolved into greater trust and independence during the spring. However, she also advises caution: committing to a long-term internship is best when students have a sense of their career direction. Spending 10 months in an ill-fitting role might be counterproductive, working shorter internships early on in one’s degree is an excellent way to gain clarity about career goals.
David Owen: Perseverance and Innovation at Anderson Windows and Doors
David Owen’s summer internship with Anderson Windows and Doors in Dubuque, Iowa, exceeded his expectations in many ways. At Anderson, David worked on several innovative projects, including a 50-foot-wide sliding door for a California client and unique custom windows. His main project focused on improving the process for reordering defective wood pieces using Lean/Six Sigma methodologies. Throughout his internship, he collaborated closely with machine operators, learning from their wealth of experience and gaining practical insights into process improvements. David viewed his role as “the hands and feet of Christ,” working to give operators a voice and contribute to the betterment of the system.
Beyond technical skills, David’s experience underscored the importance of perseverance and networking. Even after securing a positive internship experience, he continued attending career fairs and networking with companies like Abbott. His journey demonstrated the power of persistence and being open to God’s guidance—especially when unexpected opportunities, like the Iowa placement, proved to be a perfect fit.
Anna Aintablian: Personal and Professional Growth with Birthright Armenia
Anna Aintablian’s internship with Birthright Armenia offered her a unique opportunity to connect with her Armenian heritage while gaining valuable professional experience. Anna, whose family roots trace back to Armenia, was thrilled to apply for the program, which connects people of Armenian descent with internships in Armenia.
Anna was initially paired with Armit Labs, a nonprofit focused on bringing engineering education to Armenian students. Although she hoped for a teaching role, language barriers led her to work with the business team to redesign the company’s website. Despite her limited experience in marketing, Anna applied her engineering problem-solving skills, approaching the task with a logical mindset that helped her contribute meaningfully to the redesign.
Perhaps the most profound lesson Anna learned was about the work culture in Armenia. Unlike the fast-paced, task-oriented work environment in the U.S., she found that Armenians place greater value on relationships and collaboration. Anna appreciated how people in Armenia took time to check in with one another, focusing less on completing tasks and more on fostering connections. This shift in perspective fundamentally changed how she views work, emphasizing the importance of relationships over task completion.
Connecting the Dots: The Power of Internships
Each of these interns, though embarking on different paths, found common ground in the life-changing value of internships. Katey, David, and Anna all learned critical professional skills, but perhaps more importantly, they discovered personal and spiritual growth along the way. Whether it was gaining clarity on career goals, expanding technical skills, or learning the importance of relationships in the workplace, these internships provided them with invaluable experiences that will shape their future careers.
Their journeys also highlight the importance of perseverance, networking, and being open to unexpected opportunities, as each intern navigated a unique set of challenges and found success in their own way. The experiences of Katey, David, and Anna serve as a reminder that internships are not just about building resumes—they’re about gaining insights, building relationships, and aligning one’s work with personal values and goals. Whether in the U.S., Armenia, or beyond, internships offer opportunities that shape both professional and personal growth, and the lessons learned often extend far beyond the workplace.