National Intern Day is an opportunity to celebrate the hands-on learning experiences that prepare college students for successful careers. At Presbyterian College, those experiences have become a defining part of the student journey.
For the Class of 2026, 93 percent of graduates completed internships, practicums, or other forms of work-based experiential education before earning their degrees, demonstrating the college’s commitment to helping students connect classroom learning with meaningful professional experience.
“Internships are valuable hands-on work experiences providing students with a chance to explore careers and work environments, build necessary skills, and to make professional connections, said Kim Lane, associate dean and director of Career and Professional Development at PC. “For employers, internships serve as a way to evaluate potential talent to hire. It’s a tremendous avenue for employers to build a talent pipeline from their internship pool and statistics indicate that former interns are more likely to be retained as an employee.”
According to Lynn Downie, associate director of Career and Professional Development, 85 percent of members of the Class of 2026 completed internships, while an additional eight percent completed education practicums as part of their academic programs, resulting in an overall participation rate of 93 percent in work-based experiential education.
“One of the things I tell students before they begin an internship – either in groups or one-on-one – is, ‘You’ve considered yourself an adult when it was convenient since before you turned 18. An internship is where that identity becomes real. You’re taking a step toward your future through an experience that will transform how you apply your education after graduation.’ she said.
Downie also said many students begin an internship with limited professional experience in their chosen field but develop real skills along the way.
“The shift from theory to practice becomes real during an internship—especially full-time summer internships like those we’re highlighting on National Intern Day,” she said “Through intentional reflection guided by a caring faculty mentor and an invested workplace supervisor, students aren’t learning from just one teacher; they’re learning through a dialogue that connects the classroom with the workplace. Few educational experiences build confidence, professional skills, and self-awareness as effectively as a well-planned internship. Seeing our students grow through those experiences—and watching faculty and employers invest in that growth—is one of the most rewarding parts of our work.”
The numbers reflect Presbyterian College’s emphasis on helping students discover career paths through practical experience. Career and Professional Development works closely with students throughout the internship process, from exploring career interests and preparing résumés to securing internship placements and reflecting on their experiences for academic credit. The college encourages students to view internships as opportunities to develop professional skills, build networks and gain confidence before graduation.
Seeing our students grow through those experiences—and watching faculty and employers invest in that growth—is one of the most rewarding parts of our work.”
Lynn Downie, Associate Director of Career and Professional Development
Building Experience One Internship at a Time
For many students, internships become stepping stones rather than one-time experiences.
This summer, Chale McCalpin is interning with Michelin after previously serving as an intern with Presbyterian College’s Information Technology department.
“My time at Michelin has been an incredibly eye-opening and rewarding journey,” she said. “Working alongside people from such diverse cultural and professional backgrounds broadened my perspective daily. On the technical side, having the opportunity to develop key apps and software allowed me to grow exponentially as a developer. But beyond the code, the experience taught me essential life and career skills: mastering time management, leading effective meeting delegations, and navigating professional development with intent.”
Jeremiah Stichnoth is an intern at a paleontology dig site out west, where he is helping experts search for fossils.
Hunter Satterfield, who previously conducted physics research on campus, is spending the summer with Milliken & Company at its Highland Plant in Cheraw.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a manufacturing environment and grow professionally throughout the summer,” Satterfield said before starting. “Looking forward to meeting and learning from such a great team.”
Lawton Cox, another dual-degree engineering student, is serving as a project management intern with Rand Construction after previously interning with the City of Clinton in civil engineering.
“I’m thankful for the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in project management, field operations and commercial interiors,” Cox said. “Looking forward to learning as much as possible throughout the internship experience.”
Both Satterfield and Cox will continue their engineering studies at the second institutions in Presbyterian College’s dual-degree engineering program next year while remaining on track to earn Presbyterian College degrees.
For Eric Allen, internships have opened the door to continued professional opportunities. After serving as a project specialist intern with Cisco’s PROPEL program in 2025, Allen received a return internship offer for 2026.
Discovering Careers Through Experience
Additional internship experiences this summer are helping students confirm career goals while developing valuable professional skills.
Amaris Alvarez spent the summer interning with Perfect Game USA, where extensive travel, customer engagement and working alongside others who share a passion for baseball reinforced her career aspirations.
“It solidified my desire to continue pursuing my career in sports management,” she said.
For Maggie Roades, an internship with Positive Behavior Supports Corp. provided lessons that extended well beyond the workplace. Working with individuals with diverse needs taught her the importance of empathy, teamwork and continuous growth.
“I’ve learned more than I ever anticipated working here,” Roades said. “It’s taught me so much about respecting and valuing people with challenges different from my own.”
She also said the experience showed her the value of shared accountability, supportive teammates and constructive feedback focused on improving client success and well-being.
When Internships Become Careers
For many recent graduates, internships have already become full-time careers.
Biology graduate Ayden Rudder accepted a position with the Laurens County Water and Sewer Commission following an internship there. Business administration graduate Isabel Grace Whitman accepted an analyst position with Network Designs Inc., while history graduate Micaiah Bourknight turned an internship into a management position with Palmetto Garage Works.
Morgan Farthing accepted a commercial underwriter position with Starr Insurance, Blair Darby joined Viatris as a pharmaceutical sales representative, and business administration graduate Cade Lewis accepted an analyst position with Central Electric Power Cooperative in Columbia after building professional connections through an internship.
Other graduates are continuing to build on their internship success. Business administration graduate and co-valedictorian Vanessa Palisin earned a highly competitive business analytics internship with the Green Bay Packers, while computer science graduate Morvens Saint Jean accepted a position in the Leadership Development Program with Restaurant Brands International, one of the world’s largest restaurant companies.
Finding the Right Path
For Keith Elmore, an internship provided something just as valuable as a job opportunity: clarity.
“I’ve decided to pursue a career in structural engineering,” Elmore said. “I was able to decipher what I wanted to do with my career due to the internship.”
As National Intern Day shines a spotlight on the importance of experiential learning, Presbyterian College continues to demonstrate that meaningful internships do more than strengthen résumés. They help students discover their passions, develop professional confidence and graduate prepared to make an immediate impact in their careers.
Help Shape the Next Generation of Blue Hose
Presbyterian College is always seeking new internship opportunities that allow students to apply their classroom knowledge in professional settings. If you’re an alumnus, employer or hiring manager interested in mentoring talented PC students or creating internship opportunities within your organization, we’d love to hear from you.
To learn more about partnering with Presbyterian College’s Office of Career and Professional Development, contact careerservices@presby.edu.
