New internship Program Provides Students with Auxiliary Services Experience

Authored by: Camryn Mason-Merriweather and Lindsey Piercy 

Mark Williams, senior program advisor for Community and Professional Development with the Stuckert Career Center (housed in the Office for Student Success) at the University of Kentucky, is dedicated to serving students and helping them achieve success.

When meeting with students to discuss career goals, Williams often urges them to apply for internships. “It can change your career trajectory — or even your life,” he said.

Williams’ passion for helping students find their purpose is the reason he is spearheading a pilot internship program with UK Auxiliary Services.

The innovative program offers internship opportunities in a variety of sectors, including business and finance, event management, human resources, information technology and marketing.

The pilot program was launched during the spring semester, and so far, has received positive feedback from students.

“This internship has been some of the best experience I have received for the corporate world,” Malka Churchill, a marketing intern with Auxiliary Services, said. "I personally got started on my project early, and I’m glad there was a purpose for me to join the team and help Auxiliary Services.”

“Thanks to this internship opportunity, I have found my dream career,” Naomi Rojas-Campos, a human resource intern with Auxiliary Services, added. “Thus, my time here has been well employed — I’m always learning something new.”

Ultimately, the program was created to provide students with an opportunity to gain internship experience and build upon a variety of skillsets. It’s also a partnership to help the campus community realize there are jobs right here at UK to help them develop professionally.

“Upon taking on the role of assistant vice president for Auxiliary Services in 2021, one of my primary goals was to help this unit be seen by students and academic departments as a place where they could gain knowledge through experience that will help them prepare for their future professions,” Andrew Smith, assistant vice president for Auxiliary Services, explained. “I also view this relationship as reciprocal — we can learn more about the student experience and their needs, so that we can improve upon or develop our services.”

While targeted toward students, Williams is also encouraging other departments and units across campus to get involved by offering internships through the program.

“This program will allow students to see the university as a home-base — a place to work post undergraduate years,” he said.

Departments can learn more about the internship program by contacting Williams at mdwilliams@uky.edu.