Erika Hernandez, a Business Administration student at Grand Valley State University, recently completed two semesters as an highly dedicated and effective intern at Kennari Consulting. Driven by her desire to learn and make a positive impact, Erika shares her insights from her time on the team:
As students seek to grow in their professions, internships become an open door for growth and adventure. While students continually receive academic information at their universities, internships offer a practical aspect that develops career and professional skills that will provide preparation for their future.
While thousands of programs exist in the United States and in the world, as an intern myself, I would encourage students to seek places that will invest beyond the financial and operational aspects of an organization. Kennari offers a learning environment where daily interactions, management, and work provide students with essential tools for success in any field. While Kennari focuses on the nonprofit sector, their structure enables students to develop skills and talents that will prove beneficial whatever they go.
I could sum up Kennari in three words: Investing through teaching.
“Kennari” is Icelandic for “teacher”, and this is accurately represented in their internship program. Through intentional projects and events, Kim Kvorka, Director and internship program supervisor, provides a vast selection of client events and professional development material and programs that equip students for the nonprofit sector and any organization that requires communication, management, and teamwork. Through client events and Hello West Michigan’s Intern Connect, a professional one-day conference, students can network, learn about other organizations, and create lasting relationships that will not only help their personal development and careers but could be useful connections to further the work and economic development of their cities and beyond.
In addition to professional events, the projects, team meetings, daily administrative work, and other tasks offer opportunities to strengthen skills that support interns’ academic and professional goals. Kennari has been an open space for feedback and discussion; having a safe environment for job-related and general questions has been something that has greatly impacted me as a growing professional. Kennari is not only seeking to provide what their program outlines, but seeks to invest in their students in any area of interest or passion they might have. They are interested in developing students into well-rounded, successful professionals equipped with all the information they need to make informed and wise decisions. While they might not have all the answers, they are willing to research and find opportunities that meet the interests and concerns of their interns with the hope that they will be better equipped to fully serve and succeed in their area of influence and work.
Learn more about Kennari Consulting’s internship program, including opportunity openings on our Careers page.