OneNet Intern Program Promotes Career Confidence

By Bella Felton, Strategic Communications Intern, Summer 2024

OneNet is fortunate to be able to employ college interns on a regular basis in its communications and other departments. Since 2014, over 24 interns have worked an average of two semesters at a time. These interns produce feature stories, case studies, social media plans and graphic design to expand OneNet’s online presence.

While interns work on these projects, they develop their skills with Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, WordPress, and their verbal and written communication. During their time as OneNet interns, these students serve as advocates for the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and OneNet, produce website content that conveys OneNet’s mission, and implement multi-channel campaigns to extend reach and maintain positive relations with OneNet subscribers.

In addition to working with April Goode, OneNet’s director of strategic planning and communications, these students also make connections outside of OneNet with subscribers, vendors, and industry professionals. This helps to build their professional networks that they use post-graduation and, in some cases, future careers.

OneNet has also employed interns who have stayed post-graduation to become full time employees.

“Over the course of the few months I was an intern, I met and worked with the IT staff from several public universities and representatives from security,” said Quinn McCrary, a now graduated Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology student who was a cybersecurity intern in 2020. He now works for OneNet as a cybersecurity technician.

Lauren Pettigrew was a communications intern from the University of Oklahoma in 2022 who accepted a post-graduation career with the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education first in its communications department, then in the workforce and economic development department.

“OneNet was specifically helpful to me as I explored post-grad career options,” said Lauren. “My internship at OneNet showed me what a post-grad career might look like at a state level and presented me with the opportunity to work somewhere that aligns with my values and offers outstanding benefits to those entering the workforce!”

These students also serve as advocates for themselves in their future career paths, by doing “test-runs” of their future careers through internships.

OneNet interns have reported feeling confident as they apply their skills from school to the real-world career.

“Interning with OneNet helped me gain an idea of what working in the design field would actually look like as far as workload and how fast turnaround times should be,” said BreAnna Brooks, a University of Central Oklahoma graduate who was a graphic design intern in 2023.

These internships are also important for students to develop their hard and soft skills.

“I took away many life lessons and skills. I would say I am more confident in my abilities and talents today in comparison to when I first started the internship,” said Christina Sneed, another former 2022 communications intern from the University of Oklahoma.

“I have a greater understanding of what communication and strategic planning is and what a role in this field may entail. I also gained valuable insight and advice from working with April for guidance and career opportunities,” said Christina.

Internships allow for students to practice their careers in a space that understands their experience levels and holds them to a high standard.

These interns take away something instrumental to their future careers− confidence.

“One day, I remember going into April’s office asking how to do something, and she turned to me and said, ’Andrew, I hired you since you know how to do this.’ And that has been the most important thing taught to me so far—to have confidence in my abilities and decision-making,” said Andrew Will, another former communications intern from University of Central Oklahoma.

“I think that’s the difference between a leader and a follower. A leader and a mentor help guide you to the answer. They don’t just give it away. It helps build yourself for the real world. I’m very thankful to April and OneNet for everything they’ve given me.”

OneNet has employed students from around the state. Interns have represented the following institutions:

• University of Oklahoma – 11
• Oklahoma State University – 3
• University of Central Oklahoma – 4
• Southeastern Oklahoma State University – 1
• Macalester College – 1
• Langston University – 1
• Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology – 1
• Oklahoma City University – 2

“OneNet’s interns contribute to not only our department’s success, but the success of OneNet. They are vital in producing educational and informative content for our subscribers and the communities we serve,” said Goode.

“We appreciate the expertise and talents they bring to the internship, and I’m proud to see them graduate and achieve success in a career in their chosen fields.”

For more on our internships, read our intern feature from 2022.