EUGENE, Ore. – Bushnell University senior music major Stephanie Sterling recently completed her fall internship with Soaring by the Sea Foundation, a Eugene-based nonprofit dedicated to preserving military heritage, honoring veterans, and educating future generations. Drawn to the organization’s mission and the opportunity to work in a unique historical setting, Sterling was especially interested in the history of the aircraft and the hands-on learning experiences the internship offered. She saw this internship as a chance to explore her interests while developing new professional skills. Through her hands-on experience, she developed essential skills, deepened her passions, and explored new professional possibilities.
We sat down with Sterling to reflect on her internship journey and how it has influenced her future. You can watch the full interview below on Bushnell’s YouTube channel.
Finding Purpose in Unexpected Places
When Sterling began her internship at Soaring by the Sea Foundation, she had little experience in the field. However, she quickly discovered that stepping outside her comfort zone led to personal and professional growth.
“My internship started as something that I knew nothing about, and it has turned into a potential career option that I never would have thought of had I not had this experience,” Sterling shared.
Through her work with the nonprofit, she gained insight into aviation history, nonprofit operations, and community engagement. One of the most unexpected takeaways from her internship was her newfound passion for history. Part of her experience took place in a hangar filled with World War memorabilia, where the foundation is actively preserving artifacts and collecting stories from the era. Being surrounded by historical aircraft and hearing the stories behind them gave her a deeper appreciation for the past.
“Being able to touch something that flew during World War II and hearing all these stories about what these planes would have endured made history so much more interesting to me,” she explained. “Even after this internship is over, history is going to continue to be a passion of mine moving forward.”
The Power of Communication
One of the most impactful lessons Sterling took from her internship was the importance of communication. Working with a nonprofit required her to effectively convey ideas, collaborate with different teams, and adapt to new professional environments.
“I’ve learned how to communicate with a variety of different people, and that is something that I’m going to take on into my everyday life,” she shared.
Her role at Soaring by the Sea Foundation provided her with opportunities to develop these skills in multiple ways. She participated in event planning, which included decorating the hangar for special occasions and even performing 1940s jazz pieces with other singers, dressing in period costumes to bring the era to life. She also worked alongside war reenactors and engaged with the public at airshows, further enhancing her ability to communicate effectively with various audiences.
Additionally, Sterling learned to express her ideas clearly and confidently. Whether networking with professionals or working on projects to support the foundation’s mission, she found that effective communication was key to making an impact.
Advice for Future Interns
Sterling encourages students to be intentional about their internship choices.
“For students who are looking for their internships right now and have no idea what they’re going do, don’t just settle for the first thing you can find or put it off to the last minute,” she advised. “I would encourage you to go out there and find something that you’re really excited about, even if it feels like it’s kind of a far stretch from what you’re studying.”
She emphasized that passion and mindset play a crucial role in shaping an internship experience. “No matter what experience you end up in, it can turn into something that you find a job in or that you just get to have an interest in moving forward for the rest of your life.”
Bushnell’s Internship Program: A Structured Approach to Growth
Sterling credits Bushnell University’s internship program for providing the tools and structure necessary for a meaningful experience.
“Bushnell’s internship offers you an opportunity to rediscover your strengths through the Clifton Strengths Assessment, which has been extremely helpful for me,” she explained.
“That way, you’re not going into your internship blindly. You know what your strengths are, you know what you need to work on, and it helps you make observations that you would not have made without having any of those tools going into your internship.”
She also found the program’s reflective components, such as journaling assignments, to be beneficial. “The journaling assignments that come along with the internship class are really helpful because it gives you stuff to look for throughout the week rather than trying to think of things to write about on a weekly basis,” she noted. “The approach I took during my internship was to focus on a new strength every week out of my list of Clifton Strengths, and that was a really helpful perspective to go into the internship with.”
Sterling’s internship not only expanded her career possibilities but also strengthened her confidence and communication skills.
“It’s rewarding to know that I contributed to something meaningful,” she reflected. “This experience has opened doors to new passions and a whole other career option if it’s something I want to study more.”
For more information about Bushnell University’s internship program and how it supports students in gaining real-world experience, visit www.bushnell.edu/career-development.
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