Over the summer, Darcy Williams, who goes by DW, worked with the Flint & Genesee Group as part of the MSU Flint Study Away Internship. The Flint & Genesee Group is a nonprofit whose goal is to strengthen the local economy by helping small businesses, helping attract new businesses and talent and promoting tourism.
“Most directly, I work with the grants team under the economic alliance branch of the organization, where I help with reporting for grants and processing data,” they said. “But I’ve also gotten the opportunity to work across the organization: I help with events, do data entry, and did this quarter’s Cost of Living Index data acquisition.”
DW’s highlight so far has been becoming a certified tourism ambassador for Flint and Genesee County.
“I had to do some studying and attend a training, but I’ve been able to put that knowledge to good use by sharing it with my fellow Flinterns,” they said.
Their biggest takeaway from the experience has been the value of networking.
“I’ve gotten to attend several networking events through the Group, and it’s helped make me aware of many of the opportunities and resources available to me in Flint. I’ve also made a few friends!”
DW is an economics junior, and they chose the summer program in Flint after attending an economics department event describing a variety of experiential learning opportunities, a requirement in the MSU College of Social Science.
The MSU Flint Study Away Program provides the opportunity for students who are passionate to make a difference with a unique opportunity develop skills in hands-on, collaborative community development projects in internships with Flint’s nonprofit organizations.
DW felt this was an alternative to study abroad that aligned with their goals and provided them a chance to connect to family in the area too. They recommend this experience to others, especially those looking to fill their experiential learning requirement closer to home.
“Downtown Flint is safe, beautiful, and has tons of businesses worth visiting, and the surrounding communities have plenty to offer as well. If a study away program interests a student at all, then I think Flint is a great choice,” they said.
The program has been an excellent complement to DW’s major and their after-graduation goals.
“Right now, I’m hoping to end up back in my hometown to work for the Economic Development Group there after I graduate,” they said.
To learn more about the Flint Study Away Summer Internship Program, visit https://socialscience.msu.edu/undergraduate/experiential-learning/study-away.html.
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By Katie Rose Frey