Knights At Work: MGA Graduates Turn Internships Into Career Opportunities : �鶹��Ƶ

Knights At Work: MGA Graduates Turn Internships Into Career Opportunities

Macon, GA

Jeffrey Hale and Gena Tripp are two recent MGA grads whose internships helped them land career-oriented jobs after graduation.

Jeffrey Hale knew he had a professional job lined up a full year before he graduated from �鶹��Ƶ in spring 2023.

That confidence came from experience. Hale, a media and communications major, landed an internship with Enterprise Mobility the summer before his senior year and quickly began learning the ins and outs of management. His performance earned him a scholarship, and the company kept him on part-time while he completed his degree.

“Once classes ended, I simply emailed the human resources department a copy of my completed transcript, and that day they promoted me to management trainee,” said Hale, who is now retail branch manager at Enterprise Rent-A-Car in Perry. “My internship counted toward my years of service, so I was able to be promoted to management assistant after just three months instead of the typical eight to 12 months.”

Hale’s experience highlights what college students are increasingly beginning to realize: in today’s job market, simply earning a degree is often not enough.

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), students who participate in internships and other forms of experiential learning see stronger early-career outcomes than those who do not. NACE research shows graduates with internship experience are more likely to receive job offers, report higher starting salaries, and feel better prepared for the workforce than peers who graduate without firsthand experience. Employers, NACE reports, increasingly view internships as a deciding factor when choosing between candidates with similar academic backgrounds.

That reality is a message Middle Georgia State’s (MGA’s) Center for Career & Leadership Development (CCLD) pushes hard on students.

“The job market is more competitive than ever, even for entry-level roles, which makes internships vitally important,” said Dr. Heather McIntosh, the CCLD’s assistant director for Internships & Career Readiness. “In addition to helping students build essential transferable skills and gain experience for their resumes, internships can help clarify career goals, grow professional networks, and give students the confidence and skills they need to succeed after graduation.”

Take Cassidy Mossbarger. An MGA English major, she completed a sales and management internship with Sherwin-Williams while finishing her degree. She graduated in December 2025 and moved directly into a sales and leadership role with Yancey Bros.

Many people associate an English degree with writing or teaching, but Mossbarger viewed her internship as a way to build broader workplace skills.

“Working in roles that do not align with your education does not make you a failure, but rather it further solidifies you in the job market,” she said. “Employers look for variability and adaptability in their employees, and internships are a great way to show your willingness to set yourself apart from other applicants.”

Gena Tripp also used her internships to kickstart a career. An MGA media and communications major, Tripp interned at both 41 NBC and 13 WMAZ before graduating. She now works full-time as a 41 NBC reporter.

“Completing an internship before graduation helped give me insight into the career I was pursuing,” said Tripp, who finished her degree this past December. “It helped me network with people who already work in the field.”

McIntosh said the CCLD works year-round to help students land internships, offering a wide range of services and programs.

“Students can schedule one-on-one career advising appointments focused on internship searches, along with resume assistance, interview preparation, and more,” she said. “We host on-campus and virtual employer events throughout the year, many that we target toward internships. We do classroom presentations each semester and emphasize the importance of internships during those sessions. The CCLD also manages Handshake, the job board where employers post internship opportunities specifically for MGA students.”

The most powerful encouragement for students often comes from graduates who have experienced firsthand how internships translate into careers.

“Internships are worth your time,” Mossbarger said, “and they help you gain insight into how your coursework may be applied in the workforce, or insight into how other roles may apply to your interests.”

Tripp said internships give students the chance to explore career paths before fully committing.

“MGA professors are great and they teach you a lot,” she said, “but an internship can teach you things you won’t learn in the classroom.”

Hale agrees.

“When applying for jobs, internships are pivotal to stand out among other candidates,” he said. “Now that I am in a position where I interview and hire candidates, an internship shows me which candidates have experience in a professional environment.”

Current MGA students who are interested in exploring internship opportunities should reach out to the University’s Center for Career & Leadership Development: mga.edu/ccld

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January

Knights At Work: MGA Graduates Turn Internships Into Career Opportunities