Students Gain Real-World Experience Through Academic Internships
At Cornerstone University, staff and faculty work to ensure that graduates enter the workforce with ample experience and the skills they need to thrive as an employee and as an ambassador for Christ. 100% of traditional undergraduate students complete an academic internship or practicum.
February is Cooperative Education & Internship Month in Michigan. To celebrate, we’re highlighting a few students who are using their God-given talents to serve as interns in our local community.
Kara Reed
One student who is working as an intern in our community is Kara Reed (B.S. ’18). Kara is currently an intern at Spectrum Health United Hospital in Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab. Spectrum Health United Hospital is a community hospital, providing a number of services in Greenville, Mich., and the greater Montcalm county. Kara’s primary responsibilities include caring for and monitoring patients by taking patients blood pressures, performing blood glucose testing, monitoring their EKGs and oxygen levels, helping them through resistance training and stretches, motivating them through exercising in the gym as well as encouraging home exercise.
When asked about her internship experience, Kara shared, “My favorite part of the internship experience is described in a quote, ‘Success doesn’t come from what you do occasionally, it comes from what you do consistently.’ Not only do the patients who come for each and every session show awesome physical progress, but you can really see how they grow emotionally as well. This quote is also great for me in how I approach every day in this learning opportunity—studying, watching, learning and doing.”
Joseph Cardoza
Joseph Cardoza (B.A. ’18) is serving as a human resources intern for Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in Grand Rapids, Mich., is home to the region’s leading rehabilitation specialists and technologies. Its focus is on restoring hope and freedom through rehabilitation with its patients. Joseph’s responsibilities including offering support to the human resources team by assisting with background checks, organizing employee documentation and aiding internal employees with human resources inquiries.
“My favorite part of my internship is being able to learn from the human resources employees,” Joseph said. “I love to hear about their stories and how they have come to the positions they are in today. A lot of my communication classes have prepared me well for being able to take on certain projects and evaluate needs.”
Paetyn Cummings
Working as a rehabilitation aid at Athletico Physical Therapy, Paetyn Cummings (B.S. ’18) is gaining real-world experience through her work with pre-operative and post-operative physical therapy patients who are recovering from sports and overuse injuries. Athletico Physical Therapy is a rehabilitation-based company that offers physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, strength and conditioning, personal training and massage therapy.
Paetyn works with the physical therapists, setting up exercise equipment and other modalities for patient care. She assists in leading patients through their personalized rehabilitation programs, ensuring that they are using proper exercise techniques and helping them reach their progress goals.
“Moving from the classroom into the actual work of physical therapy has made me fall in love with this career path even more,” Paetyn said. “I have been learning so much. This experience makes me very excited to start PT school after I graduate!”
