Intern of the Month - March 2009 

  Shea-Lynn Johnson

Majors: Equine Facilities Management

Clubs/Organizations: IDA 2007-2008, IHSA 2006-2007

Priestfield West, Boarding & Training LLC
6708 20th Street SW
Byron, Minnesota

How did you find out about the internship?
I showed at the facility one summer and I knew it was well recognized. I felt it was the kind of facility I would like to manage after graduation, so I contacted the owner personally.

How long did it take you to secure the internship position?
It took about one month from initial phone call to having the paperwork completed.

Did the Career Services Office help you in acquiring the internship? If so, please explain how.
The Career Services Office assisted me with obtaining the proper paperwork to receive academic credit for the experience.

Describe the responsibilities within your internship.
Priestfield West is a small scale horse farm, and I helped with general management of the facility. I assisted with chores, managed the employees, assisted with pasture rotation and the daily care of horses. I assisted with client, employee and management interrelations. In addition, I developed a record system for the facility to use when interacting with veterinarians and farriers.

List three to five highlights from your internship.

1. Working in a well-established, respected, and prestigious facility
2. Experiencing employee and client interrelations
3. Developing and organizing a records system
4. Working with great staff and clients at the facility

What is one aspect of your internship that you would have wanted to change?
I wouldn’t change anything about it. I didn’t want it to end!

Did your internship confirm your anticipated career choice or path?
This experience gave me a broader perspective of what is available. It showed me that managing a facility is one of the things I love to do. I also found that I enjoyed the interactions with clients and employees.

Now that you have completed an internship, what advice would you give students about internships?
Make the most out of every opportunity; you never know what might come of it! Work hard, give it your all and remember it is a once in a lifetime experience! 

Lake County Council on Aging
8520 East Avenue
Mentor, Ohio 44060

How did you find out about the internship?
I found out abut the internship through the Career Services Office.

How long did it take you to secure the internship position?
I contacted the organization and set up an appointment. I felt I was under qualified, but they decided to give me a chance. I have been working at the Council on Aging for the last three semesters.

Did the Career Services Office help you in acquiring the internship? If so, please explain how.
Yes, the Career Services Office helped in obtaining my internship. I spoke with the office and the told me about the opportunity.

Describe the responsibilities within your internship.
I coordinate and publicize all of the Wednesday evening speakers and programs that are held once a month. I also put together and submit press releases to local TV and news papers. I write articles for the quarterly newspaper, assist with marketing plans and develop the marketing campaign for nutrition sites.

List three to five highlights from your internship.

1. I have developed my writing skills
2. I learned new skills by working in an office environment
3. I enjoyed working on newsletters

What is one aspect of your internship that you would have wanted to change?
I wish I had received credit for the previous semesters that I was working at the council.

Did your internship confirm your anticipated career choice or path?
I am an Equine Facilities Management major and this internship showed my interest in communications and public relations. I would love to be in a position one day where I could combine both equine and communications.

Now that you have completed an internship, what advice would you give students about internships?
Don’t be afraid to try new things. Internships are the perfect way to test new waters and see if there is anything else out there you might want to try.

Archive

	Ben Reed January 2009 Geauga Youth Center 13300 Aquilla Road, Chardon, Ohio
	Jessica Taylor February 2009 Geauga Academy 391 W. Washington St., Painesville, Ohio
	Shea-Lynn Johnson March 2009 Priestfield West, Boarding & Training LLC 6708 20th Street SW, Byron, Minnesota