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Whether in a hospital in Quito, Ecuador, working as a legal assistant, or taking on an analyst role at a major non-profit, Covenant students do not limit their learning experiences to the classroom. The hours spent with professors in an academic setting, combined with students鈥� drive and initiative to pursue their callings, often result in unique summer experiences. These experiences can become points of growth academically, professionally, and even spiritually. 

Finding Community in Quito, Ecuador 

In Quito, Ecuador, at Hospital San Francisco, senior Jane Monahan completed a study abroad program as a nursing intern. A double major in philosophy and Spanish with a minor in biology, Jane got the opportunity not only to assist and observe medical procedures but to expand her knowledge of the Spanish language in the medical field. Though it was difficult to be in a place so different from home, Jane learned the most from the experience of being a stranger in a community. 鈥淥ne of my favorite memories from the hospital was a quiet time when I got to sit and talk with all the older nurses. They were asking me questions, and I was asking them questions. They were letting me learn from them and were incredibly hospitable, allowing me to feel like I was a part of the team.鈥� Several of the nurses took her under their wings, helping her learn vocabulary and showing her how to help in procedures such as ligations, a hysterectomy, and a C-section.

Not only was Jane able to use her experience in her Spanish classes, but she also reflected on classes such as Christ and Culture, which explores what it鈥檚 like to be the stranger and to love the stranger. 鈥淥ver the summer, I learned what it was like to be the one receiving other people鈥檚 love and hospitality, and learn[ed] how to love and connect with people who are different from me, a lot of which came from background knowledge I got from my classes.鈥� As Jane enters her senior year, navigating new relationships, new spaces, and decisions for after college, she is confident in what she has learned over the summer, that, 鈥渢he Lord provides what we need exactly when we need it, and He provides the learning and challenges we need.鈥� She continues, 鈥淚n every period of transition that feels overwhelming, God gives us what we need, and ultimately those experiences grow us.鈥�

Preparing for a Career Locally

Closer to home, Ian Fanning, a senior history major on the pre-law track, spent his summer as a legal assistant for Midtown Intellectual Property, PC, on the mountain. While Ian felt prepared through the philosophy and logic classes, as well as a business law class, all of which are part of the pre-law track, much of what he learned to do as a legal assistant was initially unfamiliar. However, this provided a learning experience that Ian wanted as a stepping stone to his future studies and career. 鈥淚鈥檝e just kind of familiarized myself with the process and the legal content that comes with any legal profession, whether that be intellectual property, tax law, or prosecution. I also worked a lot with automation and workflows this summer, which is something I was not expecting to learn, but I enjoyed and would continue doing.鈥� Many students have similar experiences during their summer jobs, in that they become impactful learning experiences that are formative in their future decisions. 

Becoming an Analyst at UTC Knoxville鈥檚 Medical Center

Eric Sonnenschein 鈥�27, a double major in economics and business, spent his summer working at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, TN. Leading up to the internship, Eric intentionally spent months networking, grabbing lunch with professionals, researching, and applying for opportunities. He saw learning from those more experienced as an important next step in his career, saying, 鈥淐ovenant is going to teach you the foundation, the academics, and the technical skills, and from talking to people, I saw the professional applications of what I鈥檝e learned.鈥� Through this internship, he was able to take on full-time analyst responsibilities, including working on budgeting and variance reports and sending out daily emails on business indicators to the executive team. 

While he spent much of the summer learning on the fly and becoming familiar with working in the healthcare, financial planning, and data analytics sectors, Eric was also able to bring his education into practice: 鈥淎s a double major, I got to bring in flavors from economics, as well as hands-on finance and accounting work from classes with Professor Slavovsky and Dr. Babin. It was fun to be able to blend all the different things I鈥檝e been working on into one complete picture.鈥� As Eric integrated his education, he also found the relevance of his faith in the workplace, describing it as 鈥渁n integral part of who I am,鈥� and something that 鈥渋nfluences every decision I make.鈥� Working at a non-profit medical center, Eric was able to blend his Christian liberal-arts framework and critical thinking to excel in his job.