Cleveland boasts unexpected internship opportunities in virtually every field
Graphic by Kaitlyn Anderson, photo courtesy of Unsplash.com
It's a fact: internships can open the door to dream careers.
But internships often bring the grit without the glory, and students that take up the mantle of the lowly intern can be left without both money and the time needed to do schoolwork.
So the question remains—is it worth it?
Tanya Yakovenko, a graphic design student at Lee and former intern, says the answer is yes.
Yakovenko interned at Anatole Interiors, a construction company with headquarters located two miles away from Lee's campus. Looking back at her experience, which certainly didn't pad her pockets, she still encourages fellow students to use internships to make their mark in the business world.
"Often people are unwilling to do unpaid internships, but it's usually those that land you a better job than what you might have gotten without an internship," Yakovenko said. "Take a look around town for business options that suit your career path."
Yakovenko has now been hired part-time by the company and works there as she finishes her degree at Lee.
For SOR students or anyone interested in ministry, there's a veritable wellspring of opportunities to get one's feet wet through active participation.
Jessica Howell, youth pastor and communications director of Living Word Church, said there are a variety of internships offered just at her church. And the door is open to members and non-members alike.
For pastoral majors, she said, "There's an internship opportunity to shadow the lead pastor, and that includes sitting in on board meetings, setting up classrooms and taking part of special office projects."
And ministry isn't the only niche that needs filling. Communications majors can also play a role at Living Word.
"Students can get involved with filming and other media projects that we're working on," Howell said. "The only qualifications I know of are involvement with the church and a preliminary meeting with the pastor."
Those with a more technical skill set aren't being left out, either.
Cleveland Computers is looking for motivated students who are studying IT and digital marketing.
Owner and manager Roman Strelkov told Lee Clarion that the expectations for the internship range from making memes for CC's Facebook page to managing their banking statements.
"The intern should have experience in web design, social media, general business concepts, IT skills, digital marketing and much more," Strelkov said. "And we are very flexible with the students' schedules."
While the intern has to be somewhat savvy with technology already, there is a lot more that he or she will learn with this hands-on experience.
Psychology majors who are working towards their master's or doctorates also have a great opportunity to get their own list of patients.
Dr. John Vining, Head Counselor at Youth Counseling Service, said his interns "get their own case load of clients that they see on a weekly basis."
Vining wants to boost his interns' professional successes upon their first steps out into the real world, a goal that stretches into every field and every internship.
"The last time they leave my building, they leave confident as a counselor," Vining said.
