Student interns get on-the-job experience with tribal operations

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When Saginaw senior Shaena Girard gets home at night, no blank stare greets her when she talks about work.

That’s because Girard and her roommate, Saginaw senior Jenny Meyer, both hold internships with the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe.

“It’s really nice, because I can go home and discuss things that any other person wouldn’t understand,” Girard said.

Meyer, a public relations major, works in the Tribal Operations office, 7070 E. Broadway Road.

She edits stories and creates page layouts for the Tribal Observer, the tribal publication, and designs advertisements.

She said her co-workers have been very generous with advice and guidance. The interns are overseen by Joe Sowmick, public relations director for the tribe.

“Joe puts forth a lot of opportunities for me and treats me with a lot of respect,” Meyer said. “He really just wants to help me any way he can.”

Girard, a public relations major, is a marketing and events intern at the Ziibiwing Center, 6650 E. Broadway Road.

“Social media was the biggest thing I brought to this experience,” Girard said. “The classes I took through the journalism department have prepared me for blogging and other things.”

The internship has been a learning experience for Girard and she believes that the experience will help her better understand the world around her.

“This has been a great experience with a non-profit organization,” she said. “I get to experience a little bit of diversity with a culture that is not my own.”

Laura Siuda is a prevention intern at the Behavioral Health Programs office, 2800 S. Shepherd Road, and she feels the internship has helped her become a better candidate for employers.

“It has helped me be more organized and has put more structure in my schedule,” she said.

The Newberry senior is a double major in family studies and psychology and has had no problems balancing her class load with the internship.

One of the best experiences Siuda has had with the internship has been planning a spring day camp for children.

“It’s kind of a big project and it has taught me a lot and given me the confidence to tackle larger things,” Siuda said.

All three interns are graduating in May and the future holds uncertainty for all of them, but one thing is certain – their experiences have taught them a lot.

“Most of the stuff they prepare you for in school can’t be learned until it’s experienced,” Meyer said.

metro@cm-life.com