Summer Internships Immerse Students in Career Experiences
Aug. 25, 2023
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — More than 100 Illinois Wesleyan University students participated in summer internships this year, gaining experience in fields ranging from legal work to animal care.
“All internships have the potential to provide valuable experience. Summer internships have the added benefit of providing a more immersive experience due to the frequent full-time nature of these positions,” said Warren Kistner, Director of the Hart Career Center .
Kistner said internships allow students to test the water in a field of interest, develop and demonstrate key competencies that employers seek, and explore project-based learning while networking with professionals.
Marketing major Taylor Tarver '24 spent the summer as an event operations intern with the Chicago Bears Training Camp in Lake Forest, Illinois, where she handled signage, assisted with hospitality, managed credentials and worked with vendors.
“It was very exciting to work for one of the nation’s biggest teams. I got to look behind the curtain and see a bit of how the Bears operate on the inside,” said Tarver. “They work as a family and are very passionate about what they do.”
Another major benefit, said Tarver, was connecting with other interns from across the country.
“I got to meet, learn and grow with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds who are from places across the U.S. that have the same drive, passion and love for sports,” she said.
Tarver said the internship provided her with valuable experience in communication, collaboration, teamwork and time management. She encouraged her college peers to be bold when searching for internship opportunities.
“When I got the offer to be an intern for the Bears, all I could think about was the regret I would be living with if I overlooked this opportunity. I encourage taking a chance on yourself because you never know who will open the door of opportunity for you,” she said.
As an acting major, Evan Carlson ‘24 was thrilled to intern as an acting apprentice this summer with SPARC Theatre, or Shakespeare & Performing Arts Regional Company, in Livermore, California. Carlson served as an understudy for roles in SPARC’s Shakespeare in the Vineyard performance, while also performing music in Much Ado About Nothing. He also collaborated with fellow apprentices on work for an educational library show, composing music and playing piano.
“I enjoyed getting to be in the beautiful wine country of California while doing Shakespeare outside in a vineyard with talented and kind working actors,” said Carlson. “I gained experience working with professional actors and learning how to make a life in the theater.”
To read more about many other amazing summer internship experiences, visit the Illinois Wesleyan Instagram page .
The Hart Career Center provides internship opportunities for students year-round. To apply for internships, connect with employers and attend virtual events with recruiters, students can visit Handshake . In addition, the Handshake resource library provides sample resumes, cover letters and interview preparation documents.
To schedule an appointment with a Hart Career Center staff member, students may visit their Handshake account or call the office at 309-556-3071. The Hart Career Center is located on the second floor of the Minor Myers jr. Welcome Center.
The Hart Career Center will also host an internship/job fair from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 2 in the Shirk Center.
By Julia Perez