Hometown: Fraser, MI
Major and class standing: Creative Writing, 5th Year
Instagram: @mackenzielenk
Where you interned at: Disability Attorneys of Michigan, Warren, MI
What was your internship title and role/responsibilities?
I was a Records Management Intern for Disability Attorneys of Michigan. I would review and confirm possession of specific records, make necessary calls to facilities, edit training manuals for all departments, and other necessary case manager tasks.
How did you obtain your internship? What resources did you utilize to secure your internship?
I obtained this internship by reaching out to one of the attorneys and supervisors at the office to see if this would be a good fit and if any of the work and experience, I have could translate into an internship position at the firm.
What did your daily routine include?
My daily routine included navigating a task list to see what I had available to work on for the day/week. Messaging my supervisor and assisting manager to check if any specifically assigned work needed to be completed by me, I would work on whatever tasks I had—some were editorial, others were checking record statuses and making calls, and some was other case manager work that I knew how to do.
Your favorite experience from the internship?
My favorite experience from the internship was genuinely just the relationships I strengthened with my coworkers and supervisor. I enjoyed working in the office when I could and doing more tasks in person.
What was your least favorite part of the internship?
I would say my least favorite part of the internship was the fact that I was remote for most of it, only because I truly loved being in the office and in person. However, I am also glad that DAM worked with me and my class schedule to make remote working possible.
What skills did you learn and/or build upon during your internship?
Communication, detail, professionalism, adaption to using new applications, knowledge about legal procedures, editing skills, and overall office skills.
What did you learn about the industry or your career path as a result of the internship? What are your future plans?
During this internship, I learned more about how detail is important, whether it be being detailed in my own work or genuinely paying closer attention to detail in the work itself; identifying and correcting errors, checking every box before completing a task, and closely revising previous edits. This has made me more eager to enter the career path of editing and publishing. My current future plans are to continue some work with DAM while I apply for editorial jobs that fit my experience. My long-term goal is to work as an editor for a publishing house. For now, I plan to focus more on my skills in Content Strategy, Publication Management, Social Media, etc. until I secure a job in editing.
What advice do you have for other students seeking out internship opportunities?
My best advice would be to not be afraid to reach out to companies and be open about your experience and goals. Don’t be shy in asking how you can fit in or contribute! The worst someone can say is no or that you’re not a good fit at this time. Utilize communication skills and just go for it
