By the time they graduate, 98 percent of Colby-Sawyer students have completed some form of professional preparation experience, including internships, clinical internships, student teaching, and service-learning. Internships offer the opportunity to try a potential career; develop specific skills and knowledge related to a career; develop professional contacts and learn directly from experienced professionals. Students say that gaining experience in a real-world situation - which includes going through the interview process, working with others, navigating the cultures of various work environments and putting their skills to use – is invaluable.
Business Administration: Alison Good '09
Completing an internship is the most beneficial requirement at Colby-Sawyer. It gives you an opportunity to use the skills you have learned and apply them to real-world experiences. Without this internship, I would still be wondering what I want to do after I graduate…
Graphic Design: Sam Moore '09
Getting into the real world is easier as an intern, when you have some resources to work with and are looking for a learning experience, not necessarily a paid position. Not only can students gain knowledge and experience that makes them more attractive to potential employers, but they also are better equipped to manage the job search when graduation rolls around…
Business Administration: Caitlin Putnam '09
I had an enjoyable, positive and educational internship at New London Hospital. I loved the people I worked with, and my assignments were interesting and challenging. I learned skills and information that cannot be learned in the classroom, and now I have a base knowledge of what to expect after graduation…
Communication Studies: Ben Burns '09
I wasn't considered “just an intern” by my superiors but rather a colleague who had thoughts on issues. My boss often told me to figure things out on my own and gave me the chance to think freely and make decisions…
Graphic Design: Jessica McCabe '09
Through my internship, I learned about how to work with others and be comfortable in the workplace. An important thing to remember is “don't be afraid.” Staying confident shows the people around you that you're comfortable, which makes them comfortable in turn…
Sport Management: Colin Bellavance '09
Interning as a sports and recreation program specialist, I found that my education at Colby-Sawyer had a tremendous impact on how I presented myself in a professional setting. I value the courses that have placed high importance on effective communication skills…
English: Megan Ruggiero '10
I have been writing for my own enjoyment since I was old enough to hold a pen, and I was very happy to apply that skill to a real-world situation. There were some assignments that did not come easy for me, though, and I just gritted my teeth and pushed through…
Business Administration: Mike Johnson '09
F1 Boston actually changed their menu pricing based on the information I gathered from their competitors. That was pretty exciting because even as an intern I was able to make a mark on the business…
Communication Studies: Aubrey Thomas '09
I interned at my local Chamber of Commerce, and its focus on using media to communicate with the community provided insight into how I can apply skills I have learned in my Communication Studies classes…
Sport Management & Business Administration: Chris Rafferty '08
My first day of the internship, I worked at the Patriots Draft Party. I did not know anyone, let alone anything about the event or Gillette Stadium, but my assignment was to give tours of the stadium!…
Communication Studies: Sean Ahern '09
I worked on an article on the Bigger Better Bottle Bill in the New York State Assembly and got to call up assemblymen and senators…it was awesome. Colby-Sawyer's requirement of an internship helped me do something I would have otherwise not thought about doing at all…
Business Administration & Sport Management: Malcolm Smith '08
I learned a lot during my internship, but probably the biggest thing was gaining a better understanding of how to make sales and what goes into marketing. This internship has already led to an account executive job with the Binghamton Senators Hockey Club, which is in the American Hockey League…
