Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI
Major and class standing: Humanities Prelaw, Junior
LinkedIn: Kendal Mulcahy
Where you interned: MSU Research Foundation
What was your internship title and role/responsibilities?
My internship title was Placemaking and Events Intern. My responsibilities included leading tours of the foundation’s facilities, annual events planning and communications, researching and cataloging valuable resources, organizing innovative workshops, and connecting with industry leaders, students, and the community.
How did you obtain your internship? What resources did you utilize to secure your internship?
I was introduced to a connection through one of my family members. This connection led to the opportunity to interview for the position. Following that, I prepared for the interview and was lucky enough to secure an offer. I have learned that connections are key!
What did your daily routine include?
My daily routine in the office typically started with checking and replying to emails and creating checklists of what I needed to prioritize for the week. Next, I would usually check in with my supervisor to ensure we were on the same page. She would assign me a project to work on; types of projects tended to vary on a weekly basis. Depending on the project that I was assigned, I would move around and set up events. Sometimes I would spend my time researching, analyzing feedback, and planning event logistics at my desk.
Your favorite experience from the internship?
Overall, my favorite experience was my second day on the job which happened to be a workshop event. I was nervous at first, but quickly felt more at ease seeing the liveliness and passion of the team. While I felt that I was somewhat thrown into projects pretty quickly, it was a great way to meet everyone at the beginning, and everyone was all in one place and very welcoming towards me.
What was your least favorite part of the internship?
My least favorite part of the internship has to be the phishing and spam emails. As technology continues to grow, the phishing emails have also become more realistic and targeted.
What skills did you learn and/or build upon during your internship?
As a prelaw major I have been able to build upon the critical thinking and more detail-oriented skills which I had developed from my classes. I have also learned how to apply new technologies/applications, form-building and survey-making skills, and the ability to network with diverse groups of people and individuals.
What did you learn about the industry or your career path as a result of the internship? What are your future plans?
As a result of my internship, I honestly became conflicted with the future of my career path. The industry of my internship focuses more on entrepreneurship and innovation, while my college studies focus on the Humanities and Law. I have enjoyed both experiences, so at the moment I am taking it day by day and working to apply the skills I have learned from both my education and current job.
What advice do you have for other students seeking out internship opportunities?
My advice to fellow students seeking out internship opportunities is to be yourself and have some confidence in your abilities. You do not need to be an expert when starting off, for many of us this is the first opportunity for a hands-on experience outside of the classroom. Be curious, ask questions, and show your eagerness to learn.
