Written by: Grace Conway, CURRIES
My name is Grace Conway, and I’m spending my summer interning at CURRIES. Through my internship, I was invited to participate in College Connections, where interns from across North Iowa gather each week to learn, connect, and explore the community.
Going into the first meeting, I assumed I’d be meeting interns from other manufacturing plants around Mason City. I was surprised when I walked in and found interns from the animal hospital, local banks, Iowa State Extension, construction companies, and even the Chamber itself. It has been interesting to get a glimpse into so many different career paths and see what other students our age are doing.
One of the best parts has been getting to know interns from all kinds of workplaces, but it’s also been fun connecting with fellow CURRIES interns during the drive to each event. Over the past few weeks, we’ve learned about the importance of networking and even had opportunities to practice it ourselves.
We also welcomed guest speaker Melissa Moretz, who shared her personal keys to success, not just for interns, but for life in general. She encouraged us to reflect on our own priorities and identify the values that guide us. It was a great reminder that success looks different for everyone.
Our most recent activity was a community scavenger hunt, where we got to learn more about the community we’re working in this summer. Whoever planned the event must clearly understand college students because there was ice cream afterward!
For those of us who aren’t originally from Mason City, like me, College Connections provides a great opportunity to meet new people and become more familiar with the community. It helps create a sense of connection and belonging when many of us are away from our friends, families, and hometowns.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my experience with College Connections so far, and I’m looking forward to many more events throughout the summer!