Q: Where are you from, and where are you located now?
A: I was born and raised in Kendallville, Indiana – a small town very close to the Michigan-Indiana state border. Now, as I attend IU, I live in Bloomington.
Q:Tell us a little bit about yourself.
A: My major is Environmental Management through SPEA – I originally was pre-business in Kelley School before making the switch after my freshman year. I have always been drawn to public policy, which is why I made the switch into O’Neill, and I also happened to love one of my environmental electives that I took. In my free time, I love to read and write. I also try to spend as much time as possible outdoors – especially when the weather is nice!
Q: Where are you interning? What led you to that organization?
A: My work/interning experience with Jellystone has been one of the most positive experiences of my college life! I am constantly getting to learn and try out new things, and I now feel much more confident in professional settings. Balancing school and work was never a struggle. As long as my availability was clearly communicated, I never had an issue with ensuring that I had enough time for classes, homework, extracurricular activities, etc. Everyone I have worked with has always been so welcoming and ready to help me. I never felt scared to admit when I didn’t know something or thought I may need assistance with any of my tasks. As a result, I feel like I have grown so much as a young professional through my time with Jellystone.
Q: What are the most important skills in your role and in your professional experience at Jellystone Park?
A: For me personally, the most important thing in my work life is ORGANIZATION. I spend most of my day in the office and organization and focus are crucial when making calls, sending emails, and ensuring the daily tasks remain on schedule. Adaptability is another very important skill when it comes to this work. Crucial responsibilities and tasks will change often, and it is important to know when certain tasks need to be prioritized over others. I will admit, when I first joined Jellystone, I had a lot of trouble being able to adapt and adjust my daily tasks accordingly; however, I feel like I have improved significantly in that regard since working here.
Q: How have your academic and leadership experiences at O’Neill helped prepare you for your current role?
A: O’Neill has helped me feel confident to branch out and pursue experiences that I may not necessarily have much knowledge in. I knew next to nothing about the hospitality industry, and I knew even less about RVs and RV camping, but I still was inspired to pursue work experience with Jellystone Park. Going into the internship without much prior experience to this industry allowed me to gain so much knowledge and to grow so much professionally.
Q: Four Points RV Resorts and Jellystone Park is seeking more employees and interns now! What advice do you have for students who are considering applying to these positions/internships?
A:Jellystone Park has so many different positions and opportunities for young people looking for work/internship experience. It is the perfect summer opportunity for students spending their summer in Bloomington, and the work is so much fun. Anyone who is interested, I urge them to visit our website and consider sending in a resume. Both part-time and full-time positions are available, and all positions are paid.
