EUGENE, Ore. – Bushnell University alumnus Caden Long ’24, who recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, completed his spring semester internship with Love for Lane County. This experience aligned perfectly with his passion for helping people and his desire to make a positive impact in the community. Love for Lane County is a Christ-centered service organization that aims to support the unmet needs of community members and provide local churches and opportunity to serve.
When asked what drew him to this internship, Long shared, “I really love helping people. So, this was a site where I was able to help people and meet people outside of our small Bushnell community. Doing it through God while also being able to help people in the community was a big part of why I chose this site.” This internship provided Long with a meaningful way to combine his faith and his commitment to service.
A typical day in Long’s internship involved making phone calls to community members, loading items into U-Hauls for delivery, and personally delivering donations to recipients’ homes. He explained, “I make a lot of phone calls to the people in the community that we’re donating to. I load items into U-Hauls for pickup and also do deliveries to people’s homes. It’s a great way to meet people while also using the time to help them know God or pray with them if we’re able to.” These tasks allowed Long to assist those in need and provided him with opportunities for meaningful interactions and spiritual support.
Reflecting on how the experience prepared him for his future career, Long stated, “It pushed me out of my comfort zone, especially with meeting new people and talking over the phone. I did not enjoy it at first, but now I’m much more comfortable with it. This growth will be invaluable in my future career.” This internship helped Long develop essential communication skills and build confidence in interacting with others, which will be invaluable in his future.
Long’s favorite part of the internship was seeing the happiness of those receiving the donations. “It’s a great way to serve and meet people. Getting to know the recipients and my colleagues over the last few months has been a significant part of this internship,” he remarked. This experience allowed Long to make a tangible difference in the lives of others while forming meaningful connections with his colleagues.
Long’s internship with Love for Lane County provided him with valuable experience, reinforcing his passion for service and preparing him for a future where he can continue to help others.
For more information about internship opportunities at Bushnell University, visit www.bushnell.edu/career-development. To learn more about Love for Lane County, visit their website at www.loveforlanecounty.org.
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