Building Futures: Hartwick College Internships Foster Growth and Career Direction

As students engage in Hartwick’s bustling fall semester, the internships many completed over the summer remain fresh in their minds and lay vital foundations for their future success, particularly through partnerships like the one the College has with Springbrook. This long-standing host for Hartwick interns has consistently provided exceptional opportunities and this year, the collaboration was elevated with the introduction of Experience Springbrook.

Traci Lanner, executive director of Springbrook Schools, shared her excitement about this innovative approach, which was created in partnership with Hartwick’s Career Development & Network Engagement team. “We spent a number of weeks thinking about what kind of experiences might be meaningful to students in different majors,” Lanner explained. “And with the help of a team here and people at Hartwick, we were able to put together a program that allows students to select one of three tracks and to study things that they are interested in.”

The program blends professional development with a traditional paid internship. For Madie Felter ’25, a psychology and criminal justice major, it was exactly what she needed.

Hartwick College intern working with Springbrook student
Hartwick College intern working with Springbrook student
Hartwick College intern on carnival ride with Springbrook students

"I’ve gotten to experience a little bit of everything, which I’m really thankful for. It’s helped me gain a new perspective on what I want to do after I graduate."

Madie Felter '25

Psychology and Criminal Justice Double Major

Kalissa Zaikoff ’26, a psychology major, urges fellow students to embrace internships early in their college journey. “I had no idea what I was going into, but looking back, I’m so glad that I was like, all right, let’s just do it,” Zaikoff said. “And I’ve gotten to understand so many different things, and I feel so much more stable in my career path and looking to where I want to go and what I want to do.”

For some students, internships lead to long-term employment. And as Lanner noted, it’s particularly gratifying when interns choose to continue working with Springbrook after graduation, which is precisely what Cheyanne Ward ’24 plans to do. A business administration major with a minor in finance, Ward now works part-time at Springbrook. “I didn’t want to leave the students,” she said. “I felt like I had a duty to them. And I love teaching and watching them grow and learn things.”

Experience Springbrook is just one example of the successful partnership between Hartwick College and Springbrook. In February 2025, Hartwick will expand their collaboration with the launch of EmpowerU, a program developed in partnership with Springbrook and local agencies Arc Otsego and Arc of Delaware County. EmpowerU is designed to offer individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities a comprehensive college experience.

November 5, 2024
Career Development, Spotlight, Student Spotlight

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