During Winterim, students have the opportunity to intern at a for-profit or non-profit business. Internships provide students with firsthand experience in the skills that they will need in order to be successful in a potential career and beyond.
This valuable experience often informs the decisions that students make as they look ahead towards college. It also gives them exposure to professional mentors who are doing what they may want to do later in life.
But don’t just take our word for it—hear directly from our students as they share what they learned.
Anna '27
Internship: Axiom Media Group
Anna Lee interned at Axiom Media Group in Wheaton, gaining firsthand experience in the field of marketing. She captured behind-the-scenes footage, practiced camera work, and even explored video editing—all while working alongside Axiom’s creative team.
The hands-on nature of the internship allowed me to apply the skills I’ve been learning, like lighting, camera operation, and photo editing, in a real-world setting. I had the opportunity to help out on shoots, manage equipment, and even edit photos for clients. This practical experience gave me a clearer understanding of how much work goes into every single shot, from planning to post-production. Through this experience, I became confident that this the career path I want to pursue.
Thegn ’26
Internship: Camcraft
An aspiring engineer, Thegn Phinney ’26 interned at Camcraft, a leader in precision machining. Thegn shadowed experienced technicians, gaining firsthand insights into the process of designing and manufacturing solutions to complex challenges.
I now have an in depth understanding of what life would look like if I decide to pursue engineering as a career path. At Camcraft, I got to learn lots of machining processes and observe the production of various manufactured parts, from renderings to the finished products. Seeing the intricacies and design process was astounding.
Halle '27 and Eva '27
Internship: Northwestern Mutual
During their internship at Northwestern Mutual, Halle Van Zee ’27 and Eva Zinin ’27 explored the world of finance and investing.
My experience at Northwestern Mutual taught me that success isn’t just about what you study in college—it’s about being adaptable, coachable, and resilient. Hearing from financial advisors with all kinds of backgrounds made me realize there’s no one ‘right’ path, and it sparked an interest in business and finance that I didn’t expect.
Claudia '27 and Maddie '27
Internship: Kelley, Kelley and Kelley
During Winterim, Claudia Kulesza ’27 and Maddie Griffin ’27 interned with an attorney at the law firm of Kelley, Kelley, and Kelley in Schamburg. Together, they learned about litigation and legal career options!
This internship helped me discover a passion for justice and left me feeling excited to see what God has in store for my future.
Kristen '26
Internship: Black Forest Academy, Germany
Kristen Holwerda ’26 interned at Black Forest Academy, an international Christian school in Kandern, Germany that serves missionary families. She is assisting in a first grade classroom where she gets the chance to combine her interests in missions and elementary education.
During my time at Christliche Schule Kandern, I learned a lot about teaching and interacting with people from different cultures. My favorite part of this internship was definitely helping students one-on-one with English and Math. I am interested in studying psychology to become a social worker, so serving in an elementary school helped me consider what it might be like to work as a guidance counselor.
Jackson '27
Internship: Microsoft
During his internship with a Microsoft Customer Success Manager, Jackson Michaud ’27 gained hands-on experience with Microsoft Azure, learning how cloud-based solutions support business innovation and efficiency.
My internship with a Microsoft Customer Success Manager was really insightful—I learned a lot about Microsoft Azure and how it helps companies like John Deere build, deploy, and manage applications. The most enjoyable part was solving problems and actually seeing how my work made a difference for customers. This experience helped me realize that I love working in business, especially when it involves problem-solving and teamwork. It also showed me that being flexible and open to different solutions is really important for success.
Alexander '27
Internship: Mpower Transportation
During his internship at Mpower Transportation, Alexander Enyedi ’27 gained experience in the logistics industry.
My internship with Mpower Transportation was an amazing opportunity that taught me real-world skills like time management, organization, and problem-solving. I loved feeling like my work was making a difference, contributing to something that keeps America moving. Talking with drivers, dispatchers, and managers about their career paths opened my eyes to all the different directions a career can take.
Madeleine '27
Internship: State's Attorney's Office
During Winterim, Madeleine Zeager ’27 interned at a State’s Attorney’s Office in Montgomery County, Maryland. Madeline had a first hand opportunity to observe how justice is achieved through the American judicial system.
My internship at the State’s Attorney’s Office of Montgomery County was incredibly positive and insightful. Watching trials, working on cases, and speaking with professionals in the field helped me see that becoming an attorney—or working in law in some capacity—is a career I could thrive in.
Asia '26
Internship: Sugar Grove Animal Hospital
At Sugar Grove Animal Hospital, Asia Robertson ’26 shadowed a veterinarian, observed surgeries, and trained as a vet tech.
I feel inspired and supported in my desire to pursue veterinary medicine in college. I’ve learned so much about animal care, client interactions, and what daily life is like for a vet tech or veterinarian.
Eli '27
Internship: Tampico
During his internship with the CEO of Tampico, Eli Cherry ’27 explored various facets of business, including finance, marketing, and sales. He had the opportunity to observe leadership in action, attending strategic meetings and collaborating on product development.
During my internship at Tampico, I saw firsthand how all parts of a business are connected—sales, marketing, finance, and innovation all depend on each other. It was eye-opening to realize that all of these roles critical to a company’s success. Observing the CEO showed me how much responsibility comes with leadership—you have to know what everyone’s job is, catch the small details, and keep pushing the company forward.
The stories above represent just a handful out of the 140+ internship experiences this Winterim. We are so grateful to all of the business who chose to partner with our students during the past two weeks. These invaluable experiences help students to identify ways that God may be calling them to use their talents to build His kingdom.