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Internship Spotlight: Sean Smith at Taylored Physical Therapy

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graphic depicting student standing in physical therapy office for taylored physical therapy

Sean Smith is a junior completing an internship with Taylored Physical Therapy, a physical therapy company specializing in orthopedic and sports injury prevention and rehabilitation. Nate Taylor, owner, says that having interns offers a great opportunity to connect not only with the students but with the community and was happy to give Sean the environment to grow and learn more about physical therapy. “It’s personally very satisfying to see the growth in the students throughout their time here and we are happy to have an environment that can support and push them. The students do a great job getting some of the basic tasks done around the office and grow into excellent representatives of our business and become a valuable part of our team.”

Sean, can you tell us a bit about what your plans are for after graduation? Have you selected a college and a major?
My plans for after graduation are to continue my education at the University of Penn State or University of South Carolina. I plan on studying Kinesiology, and hope to go to Physical Therapy school.

Can you tell us a bit about your internship? What does a typical day look like for you?
A typical day for me at Taylored Physical Therapy is very busy providing each patient with the best experience. I am a technician and assist the therapist, a technician means I help the patients through their exercises and make sure they are doing the right thing.

How did you select your internship? Did someone help you select it? Did you seek out the opportunity on your own? Were you asked to do the internship?
Upon looking at my options, Taylored Physical Therapy sounded and looked great when looking at internship options I could do. With previous sports injuries that I have had, it sparked my interest in becoming a physical therapist and wanting to help athletics with their injuries. I heard nothing but great things about Taylored Physical Therapy and with the help from Mr. Ricketts, I knew it would be a perfect place to work.

Do you think your internship is helping you feel more confident about your decision to go to college and pursue your major?
I do believe that my internship is helping me feel more confident about wanting to study physical therapy. It gives me the opportunity to truly know if this is something I want to pursue as a career.

What do you like most about your internship? Is there anything you don't like?
The thing I like most about my internship would have to be the staff I work with, and being able to treat all the wonderful patients that come to Taylored Physical Therapy.

And finally, what would be your advice to a high school student who's thinking about Exeter's internship program?
My advice to any high school student that is thinking about doing an internship through Exeter's program, would be to find a job you are interested in and try it out. It's better to try new things and see if it's a good fit for you now while you have the time to test the waters on what you want to do in life.

Internship Spotlight: Donnie Beiber at Trace Pheasantry

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Donnie Beiber is a senior completing an internship with Trace Pheasantry in Douglassville, a hatchery for pheasants, chukars, quail and partridges. Zach Trace, owner, said that he was initially nervous about taking on high school intern since he is only a few years out of high school himself, but Donnie’s quickly proven to be an asset to his farm. “Donnie has been very eager to learn and reminds me to explain things to him when he doesn’t understand. Donnie always shows up when he’s supposed to and causes no stress. Donnie has helped me on many projects and he has provided his own insight and even taught me things I didn’t know. He’s a hard worker and more than just an extra set of hands. He has been very beneficial to my company.”

Donnie, can you tell us a bit about what your plans are for after graduation?
My plans after high school are to go to a trade school and get certified for heavy equipment operations.

Can you tell us a bit about your internship? What does a typical day look like for you?
My internship is just a way of being able to get out of the classroom and be able to help out on the farm while learning many different things that pertain to farming and life skills. A typical day on the farm consists of showing up at 11 and doing some busy work for an hour till the 12-1 lunch break, then after that we work at finishing the main objectives for the day, which is "whatever the boss writes on the list that has to be finished for the day." Then after 3, we go and collect eggs, take them back to the hatchery and wash them.

How did you select your internship? Did someone help you select it? Did you seek out the opportunity on your own? Were you asked to do the internship?
I chose the internship because I believe farming is a dying culture and I wanted to do something I enjoy.

What do you like most about your internship?
What I like most about my internship is the fact that I can be out of the school and enjoy the outdoors for several hours instead of being cooped up in a classroom.

And finally, what would be your advice to a high school student who's thinking about Exeter's internship program?
I think the internship program is one of the best programs Exeter has to offer. It's not a lot of work for a great reward of being able to intern somewhere you like or are interested in. Also, if you do well at being an intern, your employer may even offer you a job.

Internship Spotlight: Madison Grider

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Madison Grider is a senior completing an internship at FXV Digital Design, a marketing agency in Wyomissing. Freddy Vasquez, owner, says he's impressed with how helpful Maddie's been to his agency--particularly with creating content for social media: "Maddie is absolutely remarkable! Since she became part of our team, she's swiftly become the go-to person for our TikTok content, enhancing our consistency--a key ingredient in our formula for success!" However, he said that he's even more impressed with Maddie's work ethic, which has given her an opportunity to return to FXV following her internship: "While it's feasible to teach someone various skills, imbuing them with genuine character and a robust work ethic is a different ball game. Maddie has integrated wonderfully with our team, building strong relationships and steadily gaining confidence in her decision-making and social interactions," he said. "We champion individuality and confidence in idea-sharing among our staff--it's what fuels a team's passion and originality. Maddie has genuinely become an integral part of the FXV Digital Design family, and we're hopeful she'll choose to continue her journey with us after her internship."

Maddie, can you tell us a bit about what your plans are for after graduation? Have you selected a college and a major?

After graduation, I will be attending Penn State University Park in the fall, studying under the College of Information Sciences and Technology. I am super excited to explore my major, which is called Human-Centered Design and Development.

Can you tell us a bit about your internship? What does a typical day look like for you?

My schedule is generally pretty relaxed. My typical work consists of tasks related to social media management and also content creation and planning. So far I’ve worked on blog posts, which require lots of research and copywriting, as well as TikTok videos, which I get to script, film, and then edit for FXV’s social media.

How did you select your internship? Did someone help you select it? Did you seek out the opportunity on your own? Were you asked to do the internship?

I selected this internship because it was extremely intriguing to me and I also just wanted to get some more work experience before stepping into the real world. Mr. Ricketts, the internship coordinator at Exeter Township Senior High School, was a big help with finding an internship that felt like a good fit. I wasn’t really sure where to start initially, but Mr. Ricketts provided me with tons of resources and we ultimately selected FXV. Soon after deciding on the internship, I met with my mentor and it felt like it was going to be a great environment. The entire team at FXV Digital Design has been so great to work with and they have made me feel so comfortable.

Do you think your internship is helping you feel more confident about your decision to go to college and pursue your major?

I would say so! Even though my major doesn’t revolve around social media management or content creation, this internship has helped me learn many real-world skills that I can use when I get to college. I have become a more confident and outspoken person since starting this internship, and this makes me convinced that I can conquer any challenges that college might throw at me.

What do you like most about your internship? 

The thing that I like most about my internship is that I get to work on a variety of assignments in a given week. I never find myself bored or without something to keep me busy. I love that I get to acquire many different skills through the diverse projects I work on.

And finally, what would be your advice to a high school student who's thinking about Exeter's internship program?

My advice to a high school student thinking about getting involved in the Exeter internship program is to do it! Even if you don’t know where you want to intern, take advantage of the opportunity. There are endless options for you to explore and you will definitely be able to find an internship that interests you. Get out of your comfort zone and try something new, you never know what might come out of it!

Internship Spotlight: Sydney Burke & Abigail Rathman

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Sydney Burke & Abigail Rathman are seniors completing an internship at Celebration Villa of Exeter. Sydney is focusing on Nursing, while Abigail is focusing on Human Resources. Heather McCool, the Executive Director of Celebration Villa, says that the district's partnership with the assisted living facility has been advantageous to both organizations. "We have been so thankful for our relationship with Exeter... Two of our interns took positions with us and we couldn’t be more proud to have them as team members on board with us! This has also given our team the ability to learn how to mentor and lead others. Our company has a “Pathway to Promotion” program, and having students start with us through their internship is the perfect way for us to see the growth of people through this program. Thank you so much to Mr. Ricketts and ETSD for your partnership!"

Can you tell us a bit about what your plans are for after graduation? Have you selected a college and a major?
Sydney: After graduating I plan on attending college to study Nursing. I have my colleges narrowed down to three and hope to make a decision soon.

Abigail: I plan to attend a four-year at Bloomsburg University, with a plan to major in Business.

Can you tell us a bit about your internship? What does a typical day look like for you?
Sydney: A typical day would be to meet with Shirley, the Director of Nursing, and discuss the plan for the day. Usually I begin with taking vitals of residents and documenting the information to give to Shirley. In addition, I work with the residents on crafts, cooking or other activities. Finally, I have the opportunity daily to interview and talk with the residents to get to know them better.

Abigail: A typical day at Celebration Villa consists of me sitting at the front desk answering and transferring phone calls while I work on sorting through resident or potential applicant files. I often call applicants for over-the-phone interviews as our team is always-expanding and growing (especially with the introduction of the upcoming memory care unit)! While I work, I also greet anyone who walks in or leaves our facility in order to help create a warm, welcoming environment.

How did you select your internship? Did someone help you select it? Did you seek out the opportunity on your own? Were you asked to do the internship?
Sydney: Once I knew I wanted to study nursing, I knew an internship in this field would benefit me in college. I spoke with Mr. Ricketts who advised me about the opportunities on internships involving nursing, and the internship at Celebration Villa felt like the best fit.

Abigail: I found my HR internship through Mr. Ricketts’s internship website. I communicated my interest to Celebration Villa and traveled there for an interview. Afterward, they told me that they would love to have me join their team! I was also offered a job as a Dietary Aide, and have worked (in that capacity) since April 2023. My internship officially started in August of 2023, and I have enjoyed it every step of the way. I am so proud to be a part of the Celebration Villa family!

Do you think your internship is helping you feel more confident about your decision to go to college and pursue your major?
Sydney: Definitely! This opportunity to begin thinking about my future in nursing, and mentoring with the nurses made me realize the decision to go into nursing was the right one for me. Each day, as I get the chance to take on new responsibilities, I get more excited to enter the field of nursing.

Abigail: I think that my internship has affirmed my decision to pursue a business major in college. I have not yet decided if I want to go for Business Management or Marketing, but I have found that I really enjoy working in an office environment. I love conducting meetings and heading projects! I am unsure if I want to continue working in HR when I graduate because the hiring process can be monotonous, but I am definitely staying within the business world.

What do you like most about your internship? What do you like least?
Sydney: The part of the internship I like the most is the residents. I enjoy talking with them, doing activities and learning about their lives. The part I like the least is the limited interaction medically that I have; I look forward to being able to learn more as the internship progresses.

Abigail: My favorite part of my internship is completing employee satisfaction projects. I had the privilege to plan and host our staff's holiday party at the end of last year, which was a huge success! Just recently, my facility celebrated Caregiver Appreciation Week to spotlight all of our incredibly hardworking employees and the amazing work they do every single day. The residents of my facility and I created ‘Caregiver Survival Kit’ cards, and I decorated the break room bulletin board to help share the love! My least favorite part of my internship is reviewing applications on our hiring software. Sometimes I review and call applicants for days straight, which can become slightly tedious.

And finally, what would be your advice to a high school student who's thinking about Exeter's internship program?
Sydney: My advice is to definitely find a place and take the opportunity. This has been an amazing and eye-opening experience, and helped me solidify my decision to become a nurse.

Abigail: If you are someone who is considering the internship program, I would 100% go for it! I have learned and experienced so much in my time with Celebration Villa, and am always excited to show up to intern each day. Being able to have the opportunity to work in a real business setting has helped me gain more professionalism, improve my communication skills, and has made me more confident that I will be able to survive in the workforce.

November Internship Spotlight: Rachael Haldeman with BCTV

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Rachael Haldeman is a senior completing an internship in video production at BCTV in Reading.

Rachael, can you tell us a bit about what your plans are for after graduation? Have you selected a college and a major?
I hope to get accepted into Temple University so I can attend there after high school. I plan on majoring in Film and Media Arts.

Can you tell us a bit about your internship? What does a typical day look like for you?
When I arrive at the BCTV office, there may or may not be a recording going on or starting. If there is, I join in and help in any way I can, typically manning a camera. If there is not, I’ll end up editing bumpers, which are little 10-15-second clips for in-between programs, or I’ll edit a program instead.

How did you select your internship? Did someone help you select it? Did you seek out the opportunity on your own? Were you asked to do the internship?
I really wanted an internship to help me decide what I wanted to do in college. I knew we had an internship program here at Exeter, so I reached out to Mr. Ricketts in hopes of something to do with film and video production.

Do you think your internship is helping you feel more confident about your decision to go to college and pursue your major?
Absolutely. I was unsure about if I really wanted to go into film, but I knew I had a slight interest in it at the very least. Working at BCTV and seeing the filming and post-production processes has really helped and inspired me.

What do you like most about your internship?
I thoroughly enjoy it when I’m operating a camera. When I was still learning the basics of the field cameras they have, it really interested me. Now that I know how to use them, it’s a joy to be operating them.

And finally, what would be your advice to a high school student who's thinking about Exeter's internship program?
My advice would be to just do it. If you’re unsure or debating it, do it. Take advantage of it. It’s a chance to learn about what you may or may not enjoy in the future, and what kind of work environments you can handle. There are plenty of different businesses that are willing to work with students at Exeter. I highly recommend the program.

October Internship Spotlight: Breckyn Donate with MG Architects

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Breckyn Donate is a senior completing a for-credit internship in interior design at Muhlenberg Greene (MG) Architects, an architectural design, planning and construction company located in Wyomissing. Under the guidance of MG Architects' Jacob Sockel, Breckyn is currently working to design the set up of a major fundraising event, the Souper Bowl for the Opportunity House, which will be held at Penn State Berks in February. MG Architects is proud to offer internships for both college and high school students, and finds value in the experience: "The internship program has been a huge success for everyone at the firm," said Mr. Sockel. "Breckyn has done an incredible job becoming a part of the design team and providing different perspectives on a variety of different projects. She's been able to gain real-world experience in the field of architecture by assisting on technical drawings, developing industry software skills, and attending project meetings and understanding how crucial a great relationship is with our clients and the firm." He continued, "Having an intern in our design firm provides us with the opportunity to have early-stage career professionals mentor the up-and-coming designers of the future. The exchange of fresh ideas keeps our firm relevant and in touch with the changes in society. Additionally, in this particular experience, our interns are able to assist our nonprofit clients with real-world projects, providing professional services that would otherwise be financially out of reach with the added benefit of giving our interns an actual client experience. In the case of Souper Bowl, everyone wins. The firm gets to support an important cause in our region, and provide learning experiences for our young designers and interns at the same time."

Breckyn, can you tell us a bit about what your plans are for after graduation? Have you selected a college and a major?
After graduation, I plan on attending a four-year university while majoring in Interior Design to complete a BFA. I haven’t decided what school I'll attend yet.

Can you tell us a bit about your internship? What does a typical day look like for you?
On a typical day, I check my email and schedule, then begin working on one of our active projects. I’m currently designing a layout space in ArchiCAD for the Souper Bowl. This is an event held by the Opportunity House, one of MGA’s non-profit connections.

How did you select your internship? Did someone help you select it? Did you seek out the opportunity on your own? Were you asked to do the internship?
Two years ago, I was searching for a design opportunity in our internship program and, sadly, we didn’t have any. Last year, I reached out again to the school's internship coordinator, Mr. Ricketts, and learned about Muhlenberg Greene Architects' intern program.

Do you think your internship is helping you feel more confident about your decision to go to college and pursue your major?
It is! My internship is definitely highlighting all aspects of this career field and ensuring my decision. I’m grateful to be getting this experience for my future in the design world.

What do you like most about your internship?
The environment in the workplace is something I really enjoy. The team is so nice and always willing to help. There is always something to do and something going on.

And finally, what would be your advice to a high school student who's thinking about Exeter's internship program?
I’d advise any student to take advantage of all opportunities they may have. This program is really beneficial for future careers, networking, and can really help determine what you like and don’t. There is such a wide range of businesses and schools that want interns; you never know until you reach out and try.

To see an interview of Breckyn on BCTV, please click HERE.