Internships are one of the most effective ways for college students to prepare for life after graduation. At Northwest Missouri State University, many students took full advantage of the summer break to gain practical experience in their fields—from working at top corporations to contributing to community-based organisations.
These hands-on experiences helped them connect classroom learning with real-world applications and build confidence for their future careers.
According to Career Services at Northwest, every student is encouraged to complete at least one internship before they graduate. As the Director of Career Services, Hannah Christian, puts it: “Internships bring together what students learn in the classroom with real-world experience.
It’s a unique kind of learning that helps them grow both professionally and personally.”
Let’s take a look at how ten Northwest students spent their summers and what they learned along the way.
Nora Crowley – History Intern at Andrew County Museum
Nora, a junior from Kansas City, Missouri, spent her summer at the Andrew County Museum. She worked with historical objects and catalogued items, even leading her own exhibit titled “Mabel Dray: The Joy of Collecting.”
She said this internship was a big step toward her dream of becoming a museum curator. “It was a crash course in everything I want to do after graduation,” she shared.
Dylan Arends – Business Technology Intern at Conagra Brands
Dylan, a senior from Marshall, Missouri, interned with Conagra Brands, which produces popular frozen food brands like Banquet and Healthy Choice. He joined the supply chain management team, applying his classroom knowledge to real-world problems.
A major takeaway for him was understanding the importance of communication. “I had meetings every day and realised just how critical good communication is in a business setting,” he said.
Kaelyn Simnitt – Emergency Management Intern at Clay County
Kaelyn, a senior studying emergency and disaster management, interned with Clay County Emergency Management. She worked on community outreach and event planning.
Thanks to her earlier training at Northwest’s Missouri Hope event, she felt well-prepared. “Our program gives us great hands-on experience, so I was confident in the work I did,” she said.
Jackson Neas – Technical Theatre Intern at Texas Shakespeare Festival
Jackson, a senior from Iowa, joined the Texas Shakespeare Festival where he helped build theatre sets. Though the workdays were long, the experience helped him build confidence.
“It showed me I could do this as a career,” he said, reflecting on how rewarding it was to see his hard work come to life on stage.
Ashlynn Russell – Animal Science Intern at Nelson Angus Ranch and Missouri State Fair
Ashlynn’s summer was split between two internships—one at Nelson Angus Ranch in Idaho and another with the Missouri Department of Agriculture during the State Fair. She learned hands-on livestock care, animal health practices, and worked with veterinarians during animal check-ins.
“It was amazing to compare how things are done in different regions and take that knowledge back home,” she said.
Ethan Cooper – Conservation Intern at Missouri Department of Conservation
Ethan worked across Missouri at places like Fountain Grove and Bilby Ranch, managing wetlands, checking flood gates, and banding waterfowl. His favourite part? Working late into the night because he truly loved the work.
“It was fun and meaningful. Every day was different, and I never got bored,” he said.
Harley Spurlock – Sports Medicine Intern at Shenandoah Medical Center
Harley, a senior from Iowa, worked with kids in summer athletic training at Shenandoah Medical Center. She reached out to many hospitals before landing the role, encouraging others to be bold when applying.
This experience helped her realise she prefers working with high school athletes. “They’re more coachable and open to learning,” she said.
Aaron Hare – Digital Media Intern with the St. Joseph Mustangs
Aaron captured every moment of the St. Joseph Mustangs’ baseball games as a photographer. He worked closely with fellow students and professionals, posting content live to social media.
“It helped me figure out what I still need to learn to become a pro in this field,” he shared.
Tanner Jackley – Software Intern at Basys
Tanner interned at Basys, a payment solutions company, where he helped integrate a new business system. He gained problem-solving skills and continued working part-time with the company after summer.
“My manager always said, ‘fail fast and take initiative,’ which taught me a lot about the real world,” Tanner said.
Morgan Farris – Biology Intern with Missouri DNR
Morgan interned with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, working on inspections and investigations related to environmental safety. She formed meaningful professional relationships and gained valuable insight into her future career path.
“I’d recommend this internship to anyone. It helped me understand what I want to do in the future,” she said.
Internships are more than just summer jobs—they’re powerful tools that help students build their skills, expand their networks, and test their career interests.
At Northwest Missouri State University, students from various programs gained real-world exposure that will shape their professional journeys. With support from Career Services, they’re not just earning degrees—they’re building futures.
