More Illinois Wesleyan students seek job training

Students Elizabeth Kennell (L) and Tracy Lytwyn (lower R) work on computers at Illinois Wesleyan's Minor Myers Jr. Welcome Center as Laurie Diekhoff observes. (Photo by WJBC/Eric Stock)

BLOOMINGTON -  A growing number of Illinois Wesleyan University students aren’t waiting until graduation to get on-the-job training.

IWU has 136 students participating in internships during the spring semester, which appears to be a record for the university and marks a 30 percent increase over the last five years.

University internship coordinator Laurie Diekhoff notes an increase in underclassman seeking internships, not wanting to risk waiting until the final year to get valuable work experience.

“We see more and more freshman on my door asking about getting internships and particularly getting internships this summer,” Diekhoff said.

Senior political science major Tracy Lytwyn has been volunteering and working as an intern since her freshman year. She met Illinois House Republican leader Tom Cross when he spoke to her class, and she decided to get involved.

“I was under the impression that as a freshman I had plenty of time, but looking at how my life panned out, I was glad I started so early,” Lytwyn said.

Lytwyn has since interned for State Sen. Bill Brady and at IWU’s Action Research Center.  She says she could see herself starting her career as a legislative analyst, but isn’t limiting herself to any particular destination.

“Because of my internships, I’ve had so many doors opened and so many skills I’ve adapted that I feel I can pursue so many different paths with it,” Lytwyn said.

Sophomore accounting major Elizabeth Kennell is working her first internship at an accounting firm in East Peoria where she is getting experience in the midst of the busy tax season.  She plans to work there through the summer and then pursue other internships during her junior and senior years that will broaden her experience further.

“If I come out with three to four internships, I have a lot of variety and that’s going to look good to future employers,” Kennell said.

Eric Stock can be reached at eric@wjbc.com.