Internships Archives - ��vlog��

Internships with El Savadoran Government Prove Beneficial for Students

Larry Isch — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 14:03:50 +0000

For the third consecutive year, a group of ��vlog�� students spent their summer serving an internship in El Salvador with that government’s National Administration of Aqueducts and Sewers (ANDA).

The students included, Naila Pierre, Melissa Coronado Escalante, Jesus Munguia Reyes, Jonathan Santamaria, Raquel Andrea Castellanos Queme, Victoria Lopez, Valerie Marie Mejia Tabora, Kelly Arango Gutierrez, Fernanda Maya Arista, and Mirian Yessenia Miralda Manzanares. The president of ANDA (pictured, center) is Ruben Aleman, a 1994 graduate of U of O.

The eight-week internship program between the University and ANDA began in 2022 and expanded this year to also include students from John Brown University and Harding University.

Pierre, a senior business administration major from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, spent her time in the internship as part of the Environmental Management Unit, also called Unidad Gestión Ambiental (UGA) at ANDA.

“We learned about how that department functions and how important it is to the company and the country, with ANDA being the national water cleaning company in El Salvador,” Pierre said. “We visited weekly or bi-weekly water plants and learned how to evaluate and make sure they are functional. We also had a lot of opportunities to travel around the country and get acquainted with amazing people. Toward the end of the internship, the group of interns in our department worked together to create a project for ANDA through UGA.”

Pierre said the most impactful aspect of the internship was being able to experience the life of a professional, create a project and make new connections, all while discovering a new country and culture.

“It helped me learn more about myself and get closer to making up my mind about what I want for my future,” she said. “More importantly, my Spanish that I studied at Ozarks became so much better. The experience taught me a new aspect of working in group, of planning activities and projects, and it broadened my perspective a little more about the world.”

Arango, a senior psychology and business administration major from Guatemala City, Guatemala, worked in the customer service department along with fellow Ozarks classmate Queme.

“We focused on the complaints area of ANDA and required visual tools and resources to help in decision-making processes,” Arango said. “We created a dashboard in Microsoft Software Power BI. The dashboard was very interactive, and it presented metrics on the cases that the organization received, such as the number of new complaints, those followed up on, and those resolved. Learning the Power BI was very beneficial. It is a new and great tool that I learned to use for businesses, startups, and personal projects.”

Arango said the experience has been a highlight of her college education.

“I gained a lot of knowledge, made new connections, and learned new skills that I can use in class and with my classmates,” she said. “Learning to use tools like Power BI not only expanded my technical competencies but also gave me a deeper understanding of the importance of data visualization in decision-making. Moreover, meeting new people and experiencing their different lifestyles motivated me to improve myself and set more ambitious goals for this last semester and for the future. Interacting with professionals in the government sector taught me about dedication and teamwork—values I consider essential both academically and for my personal development. This internship also allowed me to develop interpersonal skills, such as communication and empathy, by working with colleagues and clients from diverse backgrounds. I learned to value the diversity of opinions and approaches, which enriches any project or teamwork. All of this has prepared me not only to face upcoming academic challenges but also to contribute meaningfully to any work environment I find myself in in the future.”

Coronado, a junior biology and environmental studies major from Guatemala City, spent her internship working in ANDA’s central water quality laboratory, starting with three weeks in the physical-chemical wastewater lab and then moving to the potable water microbiological lab.

“This allowed me to get direct experience in two distinct areas of water quality analysis,” she said. “Every day, we received and tested 20-40 water samples from across the country. I also got involved in the water sampling process, attended a training, and visited several water treatment plants. Additionally, I became familiar with the strict ISO-17025 standards that guide laboratory work.”

Coronado called the hands-on work in a professional lab as the most valuable part of the experience for her.

“Working in a laboratory outside of the classroom is very different,” she said. “There is knowledge that can only be gained through experience, and I feel that this experience has made me more prepared for entering the workforce later in my career. Another thing that impacted me greatly was all the wonderful people I met. All my lab partners and supervisors were amazing and always ready to help. This experience really helped me grow as both a student and a person by giving me valuable lessons that will help me navigate my academic and personal life. It taught me the importance of teamwork; it’s incredible the amount of things you can learn from others just by working together. I will never forget everything I learned from the amazing group of people I had the chance to work with; they made the experience unforgettable.”

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Bruce’s Summer Internship Combined Learning and Fun

cnp — Mon, 10 Oct 2022 14:07:02 +0000

By Odalis Garcia

��vlog�� senior Laura Bruce had an unforgettable experience interning in El Salvador this summer.

The double major in environmental studies and sociology from Panama was an energy efficiency intern at the National Administration of Aqueducts and Sewages (ANDA) in El Salvador.

“I had met the former Walton Scholar and now President of ANDA [Ruben Aleman ’94] when he came to visit Ozarks,” she said. “My advisor then encouraged me to apply.”

Bruce researched energy efficiency indicators used in the United States, the European Union, and the Latin American and Caribbean Regions.

“The objective was to put together a database with this information to create visualizations in Tableau,” she said. “The presentation of the final dashboard consisted of the compilation of these indicators to inform about the current state of ANDA related to energy efficiency and ways to improve its water pumping systems.”

Bruce said this internship gave her the opportunity to immerse herself in the data field and grow personally and professionally.

“I am planning on getting certified in other data visualization tools,” she said.

Bruce also interned with seven other students from Ozarks – Alisone Guzman, Willian Paiz, Josué Maldonando, Juliana Busto, Isaías Ortiz, Fernanda Argueta, and Sarah Bureau

“My internship experience has been the perfect combination/equilibrium of learning and fun; I have met awesome people and found tools that will help me in future endeavors,” she said.

Bruce also had a remarkable time exploring El Salvador and making connections.

“I had a very outgoing roommate who was from El Salvador,” she said. “She helped me improve my social skills and feel more confident when reaching out to people. It was also nice being able to go on walks around the city with someone who was familiar with the area.”

She also visited the small towns of Nahuizalco and Ataco, sang karaoke with locals and interns, hiked the tallest volcano in El Salvador, and visited the National Palace and National Theatre.

“I love El Salvador and hope to come back either as a tourist or for a job,” she said.

Bruce plans to work in a public or private environmental organization, learn another language, and obtain a master’s degree related to conservation, climate, or ocean science after college.

“One thing I learned was to not let stereotypes and fear stop you from taking on new experiences and challenges,” she said.

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Students Keep Teacher Intern Masterson Motivated

Larry Isch — Tue, 26 Oct 2021 13:55:42 +0000

“Mrs. Masterson you’re my favorite.” “I love you, Mrs. Masterson.”

Those words coming from first-graders in ��vlog�� student intern Rachael Masterson’s class go a long way in encouraging and inspiring the senior from Clarksville, Ark. But there is more to what brings her back to the classroom energetically each day.

“To hear your students say those things are so amazing to hear,” Masterson said. “That on its own is enough to make me want to keep going, but the thing that has kept me so motivated is seeing their progress as I have taken over the classroom this semester. Seeing them all so excited to participate in lessons, and so eager to learn makes me, as an educator, beyond proud. I love seeing it ‘click’ when something that has been tripping them up is finally cleared up for them. I just love going to work every day knowing how excited they are to see me and to learn.”

Masterson is completing her Internship II class this semester at Clarksville Primary School and is scheduled to graduate this December. She said she initially decided to get into teaching because of the teachers she had growing up.

“I had teachers who would go above and beyond for me and I still remember that to this day,” she said. “So, I knew starting out that I wanted to make a difference in students’ lives the way those teachers had impacted me.”

Masterson said she is constantly aware that “teachers are sometimes the only positive person in a student’s life.”

“So many of our students are coming from vastly different backgrounds and home lives, and you genuinely have no idea what they face outside of your classroom,” Masterson said. “The one thing you can do for those kids is come in every day, and just be there for them. Making a positive impact on students is so important as educators, and I would say that knowing that is what has kept me so invested in becoming a teacher. I just want to make a difference in at least one student’s life.”

Masterson’s mentor teacher at Clarksville Primary is Jessica (Prater) Crook, a 2014 Ozarks graduate who was recently named the 2021 Outstanding Mentor Teacher in the state by the Arkansas Association of Teacher Educators (ArATE).

“My internship experience has been amazing. I couldn’t ask for a better mentor teacher, and I’m so thankful Professor Pam Smith placed me in Mrs. Crook’s classroom,” Masterson said. “Those two ladies have done everything they can to work with me, and to make sure that I’m getting the most out of my time in the Clarksville schools.”

Masterson admitted that the classroom experience has been an eye-opener.

“My biggest surprise has been learning all the ins and outs of running a classroom,” she said. “You study it in class and think you know what you’re getting yourself into, but I have quickly learned that talking about it in your college classes and then actually being in your own classroom are so completely different.”

Masterson has masterfully managed being a wife and mother with doing her internship and completing her degree requirements this semester. She and her husband, Josiah, have a daughter, Kylie Jo, who turns two in January. They are also expecting their second child in February.

“Juggling school, being a wife, becoming a mom, doing my internship, and completing my degree has not been an easy task at all,” Masterson said. “I could not have made it this far without all the help from my husband, my parents, my mother and father-in-law, and my grandparents. People say it takes a village, and that is so true. Without their support I don’t know how I would have been able to make it as far as I have. I am truly blessed to have my little village.”

Masterson also praised her professors in the Pat Walker Teacher Education Program for preparing her for her first classroom.

“My professors here at Ozarks have done everything they can to give me as much experience as possible before going into this career field,” she said. “From prepping me before going into the classroom, providing chances to go to different schools in Johnson County, and then doing interviews with TEAC committee to hear what principals are looking for in teachers coming into their schools. I feel as though my professors here at Ozarks have gone above and beyond to give me as much insight as they could.”

She called her entire Ozarks experience “one that I will always be grateful for.”

“I have made some of the best connections not only with friends here, but with the faculty as well. Ozarks has helped me to find friendships, and has pushed me outside my comfort zone. I have grown so much in my four years here, and I have been able to work towards my future career here. I am so thankful for my time here.”

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Washington D.C. Internship Reaffirms Career Path for Harderson

Larry Isch — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 14:08:15 +0000

For someone who has loved politics and the law since he was in middle school, Logan Harderson’s recent internship in the nation’s Capitol was the ideal way to spend the summer.

The ��vlog�� senior political science major from Oark, Ark., spent this past summer living in Washington, D.C., where he took classes and worked at the Law and Economics Center (LEC) at George Mason University in nearby Arlington, Va.. The internship was through the non-profit program, The Fund for American Studies (TFAS).

Harderson said he enjoyed his time working at the LEC, which serves as a “nexus for academic research and education that focuses on the timely and relevant economic analysis of legal and public policy issues confronting policymakers nationwide.”

“The LEC helps to educate lawmakers and judges, as well as the general public, on these issues regarding how law and economics connect,” he said. “While there, I assisted with symposiums held for federal judges and helped organize archives from previous events. Along with these projects, I also helped with the LECs annual reports and did research on federal and state judges to assist with outreach. Along with the internship, I also took a class through George Mason University, learning about economic policies and some of the problems posed in our national economy today. I was also able to attend numerous seminars and meet with various authors and professionals in the way of economics, politics and law.”

Harderson said he first learned about the internship at LEC through his political science professor, Dr. Stewart Dippel, and then learned that the University’s Student Enrichment Fund could help pay for the experience. His initial internship was scheduled for the summer of 2020 but he deferred until 2021 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

During the internship, Harderson lived in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, right behind the Supreme Court. He walked between it and the Capitol every day to get on the metro to go to Arlington.

“The people at the Law and Economics Center were extremely nice and always there for me any time I needed them,” Harderson said. “I worked with a diverse group of people from different parts of the world, from California to the United Kingdom, learning about the world beyond us.

Depending on the day, I attended classes and weekly seminars hosted by the TFAS program. Here, I was given great advice from professionals and learned more about careers in lobbying, economics and law. I also got to meet these people one-on-one at workshops and learned more about different professions and how to plan for a future career.”

Harderson, who serves as secretary for the University’s Young Republicans, said the summer experience strengthened his decision to pursue a career in politics or the law. He plans to apply to several law schools in the upcoming months.

“I have had a deep love for politics and law since I was in the seventh grade and this experience just reaffirmed my career path,” Harderson said. “Growing up, I loved to talk political issues with members of my family, such as my grandpa, at a fairly young age. To me, it was exciting. So, coming into Ozarks, I felt I needed to take this love for the subject further and major in political science. While I have been looking towards the legal field to work in for a while, I never truly experienced it first-hand until this summer. I had the opportunity to work next to lawyers, as well as economists daily, learning more about what they do. The experience just showed me that there are many options in the legal field and plenty of room for new ideas.”

He hopes to practice law, perhaps in criminal law.

“In some capacity, I want to help others on a personal level,” he said. “I want to go into this field to learn more about our legal system while helping others figure it out themselves as their advocate.”

Harderson said his political science classes at Ozarks have allowed him to delve deeper into the law and helped hone his critical thinking skills.

“Ozarks has helped me get to know myself more, which I feel is greatly important no matter what career you plan to go into,” he said. “The professors have pushed me to push myself. They have purposefully called me out in class to make me argue my point, pushing me to look deeper into the content. Along with this, they have pushed me to make more concise arguments by critiquing my writing. I feel both of these have helped me develop critical thinking skills that are greatly important for anyone going into a legal career.”

Harderson’s older twin sisters, Laryn and Laykn, graduated from Ozarks in 2014 and both are teachers in the Johnson County Westside School District.

“Because of my sisters, I have been acquainted with the campus since I was fairly young,” Harderson said. “The LENS Program really tipped the scales on me coming to Ozarks. Learning more about the curriculum and how it could make me a more well-rounded individual made me love, and ultimately choose, the Ozarks. I believe it was one of the best decisions I have made.”

Harderson, who is minoring in psychology and American studies, said he has grown in various ways since enrolling at Ozarks.

“Through my time here, I grew spiritually by attending Chapel, and learned more about the importance of Sabbath and taking time to grow your relationship with God,” he said. “I have been forced to look deeper in my faith from various angles, gaining a deeper understanding of the Bible and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Along with growing spiritually, I have also grown personally, being forced to do things outside my comfort zone. From being called on to answer in class to going to Washington D.C., I have been pushed to do things that I never thought about doing.”

“Luckily, however, I have had wonderful professors who have helped make those experiences possible, as well as supported me through the way. This has instilled in me a sense of confidence, and a putting aside of timidity. In this way, I feel that Ozarks not only fostered growth, but has encouraged me to keep growing.”

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Theatre Students Experience Growth Through Internships

Larry Isch — Mon, 18 Oct 2021 14:10:44 +0000

Growth.

For two ��vlog�� theatre students, that word helped sum up their internship experience this past summer at the Prairie Repertory Theatre (PRT) on the South Dakota State University campus in Brookings, S.D.

Jonathan Adderley (pictured, right), a junior from Nassau, The Bahamas, and Klara McElroy, a junior from Cabot, Ark., took part in a seven-week internship at the professional summer theatre, which was celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Tiffany Quinton, a May 2021 Ozarks theatre graduate, also took part in an internship there and Rebecca Bailey, assistant professor of theatre at Ozarks, served as a visiting director.

As part of a University Theatre tradition, Adderley and McElroy recently gave presentations for their theatre classmates and faculty about their summer internships.

They both worked in a variety of areas during the PRT’s summer series that saw the company put on four plays over a 42-day period. The productions were, “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Quilters,” “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged,” and “The Gin Game.”

Adderley, a theatre and psychology double major, worked as a wardrobe dresser, stage manager, actor and costume shop worker. He called it “a great learning experience.”

“I felt like I went there as a caterpillar and left as a butterfly,” Adderley said. “I learned and grew so much over the summer through that experience. It gave me much more confidence in a lot of areas.”

Adderley said one of the biggest lessons he learned was to embrace failure.

“In theatre, a lot of things are going to go wrong and you just need to expect that and learn from those failures,” he said. “They kind of just throw you in without any training and that was quite frightening. For example, I had never done costume dressing, but I just tried to learn as I went. I messed up a lot, but I really believe that’s how you learn and grow in theatre.”

Adderley’s talents were also tested when he got the part of Crystal in “Little Shop of Horrors,” the first time he had played the part of a woman on stage.

“It was very difficult and challenging role to play because I had to become a woman both physically and emotionally. I had to wear a bra, girdle, hose, makeup and high heels,” Adderley said. “This was a milestone role for me because it taught me patience and understanding and made me appreciate women so much more. That was the type of role that I will put in my memoirs one day.”

McElroy, a communication and theatre major, worked in the areas of publicity, scene shop and costume shop as well as taking on several acting roles. One of the first and most significant roles McElroy played in the theatre was filming and producing a publicity video about the theatre and the summer series that was displayed on a variety of social media channels.

As an avid photographer, McElory also contributed to the PRT’s publicity efforts in photography, graphic arts, social media and radio promotions

“Our whole goal was to help sell tickets because without an audience you don’t have productions and without productions you don’t have a theatre,” they said, “The theatre had good attendance throughout the summer and even had some sellouts, so I was proud to help contribute to that success.”

McElroy had singing roles in both ‾��ܾ��ٱ��” and “Little Shop of Horrors,” allowing them to gain confidence in that aspect of theatrical performance.

“I’ve been in probably 10 musicals in my acting career, but I had always played the non-singing roles,” McElory said. “I think the biggest surprise for me from the summer was that I can kind of sing. I picked up some great tips and pointers from other cast members and it really made a difference. And I learned that singing on stage is mainly about confidence. I have a lot more confidence in that area now.”

Bailey, who earned her undergraduate degree in theatre from South Dakota State University, has worked with the Prairie Repertory Theatre for seven years and has sent Ozarks students to intern at the summer theatre since 2019.

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University Partners With Clarksville for Summer Internship Program

Larry Isch — Thu, 05 Aug 2021 20:38:33 +0000

In a collaborative endeavor between the City of Clarksville and ��vlog��, college students recently began working with the local parks and recreation department. The students are participating in a newly formed internship program that allows them to gain experience working in different areas, connect with the community, and deepen the relationship between the University and the community of Clarksville.

The 10 students that were chosen as interns are working in a variety of capacities within the department, specifically in sports, art, environmental, and cultural. Several students even assisted with creating new murals to enhance the downtown business district.

The ideal intern, according to Max Hilgendorf, director of Clarksville Parks and Recreation, is one that is “inquisitive and eager to learn new things, adaptable, [has] good communication skills, self-motivating and able to work independently or with a group, and passionate about the mission and objectives/activities of the organization.”

Hilgendorf, a 2015 U of O graduate, played a significant role in extending the internship opportunity to Ozarks students. He mentioned the uniqueness that Ozarks students are able to bring to the internship program because many of them are international students and therefore bring their own culture and experiences to the program.

Ozarks senior Lynden Gibson, who is from the Bahamas, is one of the students participating in the program. Gibson has been working with planning community events and recreation areas of the department this summer.

“I think this internship is a great way to unite more of the community together and that will lead to the community being more connected to the University,” Gibson said. “The main thing that I wanted to focus on is adding more traditions to the city and with the projects that we have in place, [and] that goal looks to be well on its way.”

Gibson went on to say that the most surprising part of the experience is “all the events that the community has going on.” Gibson will be completing his degree this August in health science and would like to go into either physical or recreational therapy.

Anghy Charles, a senior from Haiti, shared that her interest in this opportunity came from her desire to “fill my time with more outdoor activity” and that it would possibly allow her to “widen my view and understand more than what I’m majoring in.”

While working in the position, Charles has been able to “envision a more giving community” which has created a new appreciation with community work. Charles is majoring in psychology and business administration, with minors in management and philosophy.

Another Haitian student, junior Axelle Duvivier, sought to participate in the program because she had a desire to learn more about Clarksville and help the town that has been her second home for three years. Duvivier has been doing just that by assisting with the murals that are being done in the downtown area. These murals seek to beautify Clarksville’s downtown and to highlight local artists.

Duvivier says that getting to know people who are interested in improving the town has changed her perspective of Clarksville.

“The internship made me realize that the Clarksville community is full of really passionate people who truly care about their town,” she said.

Manchester, England native Harry Hilton was excited about the internship possibility in order to “be deeper involved within the community.” Hilton, who also serves as a student ambassador for the University, plans to go into finance upon graduation. He said he appreciates that the internship allows him to work in teams and grow his connection with Clarksville.

Bendex Stephenson, director of campus recreation at Ozarks and campus liaison for the internship program, commented that “[This] is a real opportunity to capitalize on and we are hoping to make waves for others to notice and see the richness that Clarksville and Ozarks has to offer within this beautiful place.”

Hilgendorf hopes that the partnership will continue between the University and the City.

“We’re still fine-tuning the look and objectives of the program. I hope to see it grow and develop in the coming years. As well as start a year-round Parks internship during the school year” said Hilgendorf.

Stephenson said of the students selected: “These 10 students were [selected] through an accelerated application process to identify what they could bring to the table and encourage more interaction amongst the people of Clarksville. Several events and activities have been selected to help encourage all of these aspects and build momentum as we step into the second half of the calendar year.”

The Clarksville Parks and Recreation Department encompasses the Marvin-Vinson Center, Clarksville Aquatic Center, Recycling Center, several parks, lakes, rivers, and the community garden, as well as recreational trails and youth sports.

Some of the events that the interns have been working on include an adult softball tournament, kid’s sports field day, trail clean-up and improvements, global culture day event, and sip and paint events.

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Henderson Ready To Assist In World Food Security

Raeann Meier — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 17:13:57 +0000

As the demand for food increases and climate change and ecosystem degradation impose new challenges, the field of horticulture will be an important future career track to help ensure the world’s food security. ��vlog�� senior Erika Henderson is ready to play her part in helping take on these issues.

The environmental studies major from Highland Village, Texas, will graduate from Ozarks during the 2018 Fall Commencement on Dec. 15. She will then begin working on a master’s degree in applied horticulture at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville,

“Sustainable agriculture and ecology are passions for me because I love being surrounded by the environment and helping preserve and sustain the environment in any way possible,” Henderson said. “My goals are to pursue a career that will help benefit the agriculture world. Plus, I just love to get my hands dirty.”

Henderson has been preparing for a career in horticulture for the past several years by getting her “hands dirty” working in a summer internship at the University of Arkansas Fruit Research Center, located north of Clarksville. Specifically, she has been working with researchers on a rotating cross-arm (RCA) trellis system project with blackberries.

“We were studying the beneficial effects the RCA has on blackberry plants,” Henderson said. “I had different tasks to do every day, and there were certain days I stayed until 7 or 8 p.m. in the lab inputting data. It mostly involved identifying diseases, looking for invasive species like insect larva, weighing, taking measurements and rating the general characteristics of each blackberry harvested. I did informational videos and posted a couple times a week on the station’s Facebook page to inform the public about our project, discuss environmental conditions and diseases, insects, what we do in the lab and any other interesting facts about the RCA. Although it was a lot of hard work in the lab and outside in the summer heat, I enjoyed doing that work and I definitely feel more prepared for what I’ll be doing as a graduate student.”

It was the internship at the fruit research station that opened the door for Henderson getting accepted into the U of A master’s degree program and securing an assistantship position with Dr. Amanda McWhirt, an extension specialist in horticulture cropping systems and assistant professor at U of A.

“I’ve been working with Dr. McWhirt for the past two years as a part of my internship at the fruit station and she asked me in August if I wanted to be her graduate student for the next two years,” Henderson said. “I realized this was an open door to doing something that I love and I couldn’t let this opportunity go. I had to quickly take the GRE so I could apply for the Spring 2019 Semester. It was very stressful preparing for the GRE and it was a very rough four weeks leading up to the test. I was very relieved and happy when I got accepted into the program. The experience I had working at the fruit research center definitely helped me get in. I have the option in graduate school of continuing to work on the same project, which is exciting.”

Henderson credited her advisor Dr. Kim Van Scoy, professor of environmental studies and sustainable agriculture, for putting her on the track for success.

“Honestly, I don’t think I’d be where I am now if it wasn’t for Dr. Van Scoy,” Henderson said. “She was the one that suggested the internship for me at the fruit research station. She knew Dr. McWhirt and that helped me gain an understanding of what graduate school would be like. I can’t thank Dr. Van Scoy enough for supporting and helping me get this amazing opportunity for my future.”

“I loved each class I took for my environmental studies major because it only increased my love for the environment and urged me to continue learning more outside of the classroom.”

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Psychology Junior Has Wild Summer

Amy Zamaripas — Tue, 06 Nov 2018 14:24:54 +0000

When ��vlog�� psychology major Tanner Young learned late last spring that he had gained a summer internship in a prestigious research lab at Duke University, he experienced a wide range of emotions.

“I was happy, I was intimidated, I was fearful and I was excited—all at the same time,” Young said. “I really didn’t know what to expect but I knew that it was going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience and that I was going to soak up every bit of information and knowledge I could from it.”

That’s exactly what Young, a junior from Euless, Texas did. He spent nine weeks working along-side some of the top psychology researchers and students in the country at the Wilbourn Infant Lab at Duke, commonly known as WILD.

WILD is a developmental research lab in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at the private university in North Carolina. The lab studies how children learn language and how different modes of input influence early language and cognitive development.

Young learned about the summer internship through one of his psychology professors at Ozarks and scrambled to meet the application deadline.

“I had about a week to get everything in,” Young said. “I collaborated with Ruth Walton, director of career services, on my CV, my personal statement, as well as my essay questions. She helped me tremendously to prepare for my interviews.”

After an interview with WILD lab managers. Young had his final interview with the lab’s director and namesake, Dr. Makeba Wilbourn.

“It was a little stressful but I look back and it was a great experience to go through the process,” Young said. “To know that I was able to get into a competitive internship program on my own merits meant a lot to me.”

Young primarily worked on an ongoing research study called iPac, a cross sectional-study that is examining how parents interact with their children in basic tasks that resemble dyadic situations that most often take place at home.

“I worked a lot on updating birth records, calling prospective participants and scheduling them, and transcribing and entering data,” Young said. “Outside of those few hours, the lab encouraged us to continue our independent studies, in which we would read relevant studies, organize the information and build our presentation. We also had classes like GRE prep, statistics workshops, CV and personal statement workshops, graduate student panels and meetings with professors of different backgrounds within the field. These things will be invaluable when I start applying for graduate schools.”

A first-generation college student, Young said the internship solidified his interest in pursuing a career in psychology

“It was really beneficial in giving me insight in what it would be like to be a graduate student in psychology,” he said. “I know now without a doubt this is where I belong.”

The summer internship also provided another insight for Tanner.

“The whole experience showed me the amazing support I have from my family and friends as well as my professors, classmates and staff here at Ozarks,” he said. “I have people around me who believe in me and want nothing but the best in the world for me. The people who encourage me, inspire me and push me, I give so much of the credit to and I will never be able to thank them enough. It was an amazing summer and it has changed me as a student more than I can ever explain.”

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Theatre Internships Provide Valuable Experiences

Amy Zamaripas — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 21:18:29 +0000

Five ��vlog�� theatre majors gained meaningful experience and skills this summer through internships at various thespian venues around the country.

Daniel Hall of Sherwood, Ark.; Mason Clough of Arlington, Texas; Ben Howard of Searcy, Ark.; Lacye Day of Oologah, Okla.; and Ethan Lubera of Siloam Springs, Ark., all took part in professional theatre internships over the summer.

Each of the students gave a presentation about their summer experiences to other theatre majors and their professors during a class period last week.

Rebecca Bailey, assistant professor of theatre, said summer internships are a major part of the learning experience and that it is beneficial for other students to hear first-hand about what their classmates have done.

“Professional internships in theatre allow our students to sharpen the skills they have developed at Ozarks, introduce them to new ideas and methods, and most importantly connect them with their future colleagues,” Bailey said. “When these young professionals step into their positions, they find moments when the work they have been generating at school is both reinforced and challenged. By sharing their successes and struggles with their fellow classmates, we both learn as a department and inspire our underclass to seek out new opportunities.”

Hall, a senior, spent his summer working at the McLeod Summer Playhouse in Carbondale, Ill., where he worked on sets for performances such as “Jungle Book,” “9 to 5” and “Mamma Mia” and honed his welding skills.

Clough, a junior, worked in lighting design for the Brevard Music Center in Brevard, N.C.

Howard, a junior, served a 12-week internship with the Berkshire Theatre Group in Stockbridge, Mass. He worked as a general technician, rotating between various departments.

Day, a junior theatre and psychology major, served as a paints apprentice for the Hangar Theatre in Ithaca, N.Y., where she worked on several sets, including a production of “Xanadu.”

Lubera, a junior, worked as a camp counselor and technical theatre activity head for the Kingsley Pines Camp in Raymond, Maine, Lubera worked with youth ages 8 to 16 and led the scene crew for the camp’s productions.

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A Passion For The Classroom

Amy Zamaripas — Fri, 16 Feb 2018 14:17:24 +0000

It didn’t take Stephanie Alderson very long to figure out what career path was calling her name.

The ��vlog�� senior elementary education major from Clarksville, Ark., knew that teaching and learning was in her blood, even at a young age.

“Teaching has been my dream since I was nine years old,” said Alderson, who graduated from Oark High School in 2014 “I always loved school and would even try to persuade my parents into letting me go when I was sick. I have always wanted to grow up and become a teacher and I would talk my little sister and brother into being my students. I love showing children how awesome learning can be and all of the amazing things that can come out of learning.”

Thanks to the University’s Pat Walker Teacher Education Program, Alderson is just a few months away from earning her degree and beginning her professional career in front of the classroom.

She is currently serving the second semester of her year-long teaching internship in a first grade classroom at Clarksville Primary School, where she teaches a myriad of subjects including reading, writing, language arts, phonics, math, science, and social studies.

“I absolutely love it. The kids are so amazing,” she said. “They love learning and they are always so attentive and eager to hear a new story or learn something new. I have so many different drawings and art pieces they have made me all displayed in my room. They welcomed me into their classroom with open arms and have been so amazing during my both of my internships.”

Alderson said the hands-on experience she is receiving in the internship has reaffirmed that she is on the correct career path.

“I have no doubt that teaching is what I want to do for the rest of my life,” she said. “My placement teacher, the principal, and all of the staff have been so supportive of having me at their school. My placement teacher, Mrs. [Heather] Dailey, has taught me so many techniques and strategies. She has been teaching for 19 years and I am so thankful to be placed with such an experienced teacher because I have learned so much. She is always encouraging me and giving me great advice and helping me become a better teacher. All of the teachers at Clarksville Primary collaborate and work together like a family and they have all welcomed me and have been great encouragers.”

Alderson said the University teacher education program has guided and mentored her on her journey of deciding what direction in education to pursue.

“The education program at Ozarks is like no other,” she said. “The faculty and staff are so supportive. They not only know your name, but they know your interests, your strengths and weaknesses and will help you accomplish your goals. We are placed in numerous classrooms starting our first semester in college. This allows us to really get an understanding of exactly what we want to teach and do in education. I started out wanting to become a high school English teacher and now I am about to graduate with a degree in elementary education. This is because Ozarks allowed us to start observing and teaching lessons from the start of our freshman year.”

Alderson said the program’s conceptual framework is especially beneficial for laying the foundation of her teaching philosophy.

“The framework is organized around four incredibly important themes: academic achievement, personal responsibility, social responsibility and fairness,” Alderson said. “With these four themes and the underlying beliefs that teachers play a central role in social justice and that every student can learn and be successful, professors are preparing students for the real world and helping form our future educators. The University’s conceptual framework promotes excellent teachers that encourage and promote student growth in all areas. We put these beliefs and themes into practice starting from our freshman year all the way through our senior year.”

Alderson credited her education professors as well as her cross country coach for helping her achieve her life-long goal.

“Pam Terry has been one of my biggest motivators and inspirations,” Alderson said. “She has always believed in me and my abilities, even when I haven’t believed in myself. She has always been there to give me advice, listen to me vent, or give me a hug and tell me that I can achieve anything and that I am going to be an amazing teacher. When students walk into one of Ms. Terry’s classes, they know immediately that they are valued and that they are welcomed. They know that someone believes in them and in their ability to achieve their goals and dreams. I hope to be as an amazing of an educator to children as Ms. Terry has been to me.”

“Dr. Brett Stone has played a pivotal role in my journey as well,” she said. “I have always known that I want to be teacher, but I never knew I wanted to teach elementary until the second semester of my sophomore year. Changing my major to this field so late can put many off track and make them have to stay longer when it comes to education because of all of the required courses within the state. However, Dr. Stone helped me form schedules and find summer courses so that I could stay on track and graduate in four years as planned. He always told me that we would get it done, as long as I stayed focused and worked hard. Without Dr. Stone believing in me and my abilities, I would not be graduating on time.”

“My cross country coach, Jeremy Provence, has been one of my biggest motivators. Coach always stressed that we are truly student-athletes and that our education is very important. He had us meet for team study groups two nights a week. He always worked practices around our schedules and our educational extra-curricular activities. Also, Coach Provence always gave us Sunday mornings and nights off so we could go to church. He always helped me out with Fellowship of Christian Athletes when I needed a helping hand. I have grown so much closer with God here thanks to the support of my coach. Coach always believed in me and helped me find opportunities to become a better leader. He always emphasized the importance of going the extra mile in our classes, like we do in practice. I wouldn’t be the person or the teacher I am today without coach instilling the values of grit and hard work in us when it comes to education, running, and our dreams.”

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