Hometown: Dansville, MI
Major and class standing: ArtEducation/Senior
Where you interned at: Cherry Hill Potters Guild, Canton, Michigan

What was your internship title and role/responsibilities?
My internship title was Studio Student Intern. My responsibilities consisted of conducting studio maintenance, assisting with classes/workshops, attending committee meetings, and the guild’s presence at art fair sales.

How did you obtain your internship? What resources did you utilize to secure your internship?
I obtained this internship through Handshake, and through word of mouth from my advisors and professor.

What did your daily routine include?
My daily routine included some studio maintenance, including cleaning, pugging clay, making glazes, loading/unloading kilns, as well as practicing throwing, hand building, and glaze combinations.

Your favorite experience from the internship?
My favorite experience from this internship was being able to connect with experienced potters and learn how to properly go about selling pottery.

What was your least favorite part of the internship?
My least favorite part of this internship was the day we had to clean the reclaimed clay buckets.

What skills did you learn and/or build upon during your internship?
I improved my throwing techniques, narrowed down my style, and was introduced to plenty of new glaze recipes and combinations. I also learned about Raku firing in much greater detail than we learned at MSU

What did you learn about the industry or your career path as a result of the internship? What are your future plans?
I learned a lot about the pottery industry and Education because I was able to talk to art teachers who have now retired, as well as attend ceramic-focused classes to see how they were led.

What advice do you have for other students seeking out internship opportunities?
My advice for other students seeking out an internship is to be confident, open to learning, and willing to expand your horizons. Go for what you want and stick to it!