These four IU South Bend students valued the unexpected benefits of their internships, and so did their employers. “It’s been very helpful to have an intern with a chemistry background,” said Michael Norris, head of production at Indiana Whiskey. “I do not have a science background, so it’s been a great asset to our business to have someone who understands the science behind the distilling process.” In turn, IU South Bend chemistry major Carrington Boyd discovered a new career path through her internship at Indiana Whiskey. “I found out I really enjoy the alcohol industry,” she explained. “And that surprised me because it was not on my radar screen. I plan to stick with it.”
Carrington Boyd, a senior chemistry major who attended Penn High School and was home schooled, began working at Indiana Whiskey in 2015. After talking with her chemistry professor, she discovered her new job as a distiller would also qualify for college credit as an internship. “I learned the distilling process in organic chemistry,” said Boyd. “I do it on a much larger scale at Indiana Whiskey. I put into practice the concepts I learned in the classroom to make enough whiskey to meet the demands of our customers.”
Indiana Whiskey, located in South Bend, is a distillery that produces small batch whiskeys using only Indiana-grown grains and Hoosier-manufactured stills and equipment.
Jim Fuchs, executive vice president and chief perfumer at The Lebermuth Company, appreciated biochemistry major Krista Schilling’s research prowess. “She helped us find a process that led to developing a substance useful for marketing,” said Fuchs. “Krista was able to make decisions as an intern because she was very capable.” As a summer intern at Lebermuth, Krista relished the opportunity to really learn how to use scientific instruments and analyze data. “I learned what it really means to be a scientist,” she said. “Instead of using some of these instruments once, I was able to use them every day.”
Krista Schilling, a senior biochemistry major, graduated in 2005 from McCluer Senior High School, in Ferguson, Missouri. She moved to South Bend when her boyfriend, who is now her husband, took a job at the University of Notre Dame. Schilling intended to pursue a nursing degree at IU South Bend. However, after taking the chemistry prerequisites for the nursing program, Schilling fell in love with chemistry and with science. She and her husband are moving back to the St. Louis area in the spring after her graduation. “My summer internship at Lebermuth taught me what it means to work as a scientist, all day, every day,” said Schilling. “I loved it.”
Headquartered in South Bend for over 100 years, The Lebermuth Company’s scientists work in a 90,000 square foot laboratory and processing facility, discovering and developing a broad spectrum of ingredients for fragrances, flavors, and essential oils to support the needs of its customers.
As an intern at the Family and Children’s Center (FCC), human resources major Heather Hayes gained an insider’s view of working in the non-profit sector. “The internship has given me more ideas to think about when I begin to look for a job,” said Hayes. “A position in a non-profit is a real interest now.” Like many non-profits, FCC’s resources are limited and tied to federal funding that required regimented processes for hiring. “We have a lot of challenges with staffing,” said Victoria Geschke, FCC human resources specialist. “We staff a lot of hourly part-time positions and low paying salaried positions, so retention can be a problem.” As an intern, Hayes relieved some of the work load for Executive Administrative Assistant Elizabeth Waletzko, who in addition to her other duties, manages the screening and hiring processes for new FCC employees. “Heather is wearing a lot of hats in this internship,” said Waletzko. “She’s a fast learner and follows procedures very carefully, which allows me to focus on other areas in the organization that need my attention.”
Junior human resources major Heather Hayes graduated from Sparta High School, in Sparta, Michigan. She earned her Associates of Arts from Grand Rapids Community College. After moving to South Bend with her two children, she enrolled at IU South Bend. “I was surprised by how fast I fit in at the Family and Children’s Center,” said Hayes. “My internship has given me a good taste of what it’s like to work in my future career.”
The Family and Children’s Center is a non-profit human services organization focused on building strong families and healthy children. FCC serves over 1,000 children and families annually in St. Joseph County.
Leslie Lestinsky, a communications major, appreciated working with an experienced professional in her field. South Bend International Airport Director of Marketing Development, Julie Curtis served as a model and mentor for Lestinsky as she eyes a career in community development. “Julie has good professional knowledge and knows how to interact with other business people and the media,” the communications intern explained. “I’m learning how to be a successful woman in business.”
Senior communications major Leslie Lestinsky graduated from New Prairie High School. She decided to attend IU South Bend because it catered to non-traditional students like herself who worked and had a family. “It’s been a truly interesting and beautiful journey with some rewarding and surprising twists along the way,” she explained. Her first experience as a summer intern at Red Hen Turf Farm and her second internship at the South Bend International Airport ranked high on her list of eye-opening opportunities. “I’ve learned a lot about sod and aviation. A lot of misconceptions about both industries have been cleared up,” Lestinsky said with a smile. “These two internships have been great experiences.”
Red Hen Turf Farm provides top-quality turf sod to homeowners, landscapers, athletic sites, and retailers in northern Indiana and southwestern Michigan. The farm includes over 1,000 acres where turf grass sod is grown and harvested.
The South Bend International Airport serves the Michiana community. More than 1,600 airline passengers travel through the South Bend International Airport every day. In addition, hundreds of rail and bus passengers also arrive and depart daily from the airport’s facility.
For employers, internships create a pipeline of college-educated, entry-level employees, and they are a way to support IU South Bend, whose students overwhelmingly remain in the area after graduation. “It’s a very rewarding experience,” said Curtis. “The work I put into the internship is well worth the benefit. It’s a way to give back to the community and my profession.” Maintaining a connection with IU South Bend and its students is important to Lebermuth’s executive vice president, too. “We are looking for young, bright local talent,” said Fuchs. “We like the fresh perspective they bring. We also like being affiliated with the local university—IU South Bend—where that talent is being developed.”