Moments such as this one above, celebrating a victory in <strong>the</strong> 2005 conferencetournament, are becoming commonplace for <strong>the</strong> Eagles’ soccer program. TheEagles have strung toge<strong>the</strong>r seven straight winning seasons and have advancedto <strong>the</strong> ASC Tournament a conference-record seven consecutive years.Through internships and o<strong>the</strong>r summer programs, U <strong>of</strong> O students aregaining valuable life and work experiences. Here are five <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir stories.By Tony BaldwinBrandon PiersonAllen, TexasIn <strong>the</strong> summer before his junior year, Brandon Pierson, likemany college students, could have returned to his hometown<strong>of</strong> Allen, Texas, to hang out with his friends and family.However, Brandon was one <strong>of</strong> 60 college students nationwidechosen for an internship with <strong>the</strong> U.S. Department <strong>of</strong> Labor inWashington D.C.“I had <strong>the</strong> opportunity to work in <strong>the</strong> Human ResourcesDepartment,” said Brandon. “Once a week I met withrepresentatives <strong>of</strong> Verizon Wireless, serving as a middle manfor government agencies prepping notes for meetings andconference calls.”Brandon also did various o<strong>the</strong>r tasks including clerical workand sitting in on conference calls.With 1,300 applicants applying for <strong>the</strong> same position, Brandoncredited former <strong>Ozarks</strong> studentAaron Coats ’02 for helping himthrough <strong>the</strong> application process.“Aaron had <strong>the</strong> same internshipwhen he was a student at <strong>Ozarks</strong>,”said Brandon. “He was able to giveme a little insight on <strong>the</strong> process.”Brandon, who is currentlypursuing a double major in politicalscience and psychology, stated that<strong>the</strong> application committee was veryinterested in <strong>the</strong> internationalrelations and public policy classes he Piersonstudied while at <strong>Ozarks</strong>. “Aaronhelped me with my resumé,” says Brandon. “This was one <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong> main things <strong>the</strong> committee focused on because <strong>the</strong>y arealways changing policy.”14 <strong>Today</strong>, FALL/WINTER 2007
The internship was very involved and properly structured.“I thought when I first got <strong>the</strong>re that I was going to be put in acubicle in <strong>the</strong> back,” said Brandon. “But <strong>the</strong>y had a curriculumwhich allowed me to see speakers and be able to experiencemany different opportunities.”Brandon stayed at George Washington <strong>University</strong>, just twomiles away from <strong>the</strong> White House. “I was able to take a tour <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong> West Wing <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> White House and a Congressional Housetour as well,” he said.He was able to make many important contacts during hisstay in Washington, including <strong>the</strong> Vice President <strong>of</strong> VerizonWireless and members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Treasury Department, who hemet through Aaron.“There were about 40-50 times that I had to say where Iwas from and what I was majoring in,” says Brandon. “One <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong> first days we were <strong>the</strong>re, I was sitting around talking with aHarvard <strong>University</strong> undergraduate student and a student atColumbia <strong>University</strong> Law School. But, when I said that I wasfrom <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Ozarks</strong> in Arkansas, it seemed likeeveryone respected that just as much as being from one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>sebigger schools.”Following his graduation from <strong>Ozarks</strong>, Brandon plans oncapitalizing on <strong>the</strong> contacts he made during his internship andpursuing a job with <strong>the</strong> Department <strong>of</strong> Labor and <strong>the</strong> EnterpriseService Office. “There were many doors that were opened forme,” says Brandon. “I encountered everything from humanresources to communication to politics during my time inWashington.”Brandon knows that <strong>the</strong> thought <strong>of</strong> an internship inWashington D.C. with a government agency can seemoverwhelming. However, he says having <strong>the</strong> aspiration to dosuch an internship will help you overcome this feeling. “I wasable to make a little money with <strong>the</strong> internship,” says Brandon.“I had <strong>the</strong> opportunity to live it up in Washington and makecontacts by introducing myself to anyone and everyone.”His experiences in Washington were also assisted by havinga connection to a former student at <strong>Ozarks</strong>. “Washington is abig place and even finding a grocery store within walking distancewas a challenge,” says Brandon. “Aaron helped me out a lot bytaking me across town to a grocery store and even taking meout to dinner with some <strong>of</strong> his friends.”Brandon said some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most important and influentialpeople he met during his time in Washington were through Aaron.“Using your contacts is <strong>the</strong> best way,” said Coats. “Studentsat <strong>Ozarks</strong> that want to get involved should reach out to o<strong>the</strong>r<strong>Ozarks</strong> alumni because we are more than willing to help andsee <strong>the</strong>m succeed.”Rose SouthwellMcKinney, TexasSummer internships are one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> many ways a collegestudent can prepare for life after, well, college. SeniorRose Southwell decided to try an internship last summer.The McKinney, Texas, nativespent last summer working at Mo-Ranch Conference Center in Hunt,Texas. Mo-Ranch is aPresbyterian conference center seton 500 acres, 12 miles west <strong>of</strong>Kerrville. Mo-Ranch provides asetting for summer camps,conferences and retreats for allages.Rose served as <strong>the</strong> SummerProgram Facilitator for Mo-Ranch.She dealt with all groups that were Southwellhosting conferences at <strong>the</strong> center.Her main duties included orchestrating <strong>the</strong> conference logisticsand providing leadership to <strong>the</strong> groups during <strong>the</strong>ir stay.“I would help set up <strong>the</strong> auditoriums and classrooms,” saidRose. “The great thing about my position during <strong>the</strong> summerwas that it changed every week with <strong>the</strong> different groupsattending.”Rose’s job allowed her to sit-in on several <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>conferences, including a women’s conference which featuredAnne Weems, a religious writer, as <strong>the</strong> keynote speaker.Mo-Ranch also serves as a retreat center. One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>programs is titled “Art, Recreation and Therapy at Mo” (ARTat-Mo),in which participants take part in bead making, bookmaking, painting with watercolors and welding.“The majority <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ART-at-Mo classes are based aroundart,” said Rose. “I was able to participate in a few <strong>of</strong> thoseclasses during my days <strong>of</strong>f.”Though Rose was able to take part in some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>experiences at Mo-Ranch, she was still a member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> workingstaff. She lived at <strong>the</strong> center and was on call 24 hours a day,while <strong>the</strong> center was hosting a group for a conference.“I was on call in case <strong>the</strong> groups needed anything at anytime,” said Rose. “I was called out <strong>of</strong> bed a couple <strong>of</strong> times inorder to handle a few matters.”Mo-Ranch left a lot <strong>of</strong> good impressions on Rose. Shedescribed <strong>the</strong> center as being family oriented and tight-knit.“This was <strong>the</strong> first summer that I have spent away fromhome,” said Rose. “It was very different for me to be awayfrom my family and working <strong>the</strong> whole summer, but <strong>the</strong> peopleat Mo-Ranch are so tight knit. The experiences at Mo-Ranchforever changed my life.”Rose says that management classes at <strong>Ozarks</strong> helpedprepare her for <strong>the</strong> day-to-day duties <strong>of</strong> this internship. Shealso says that being president <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Presbyterian StudentOrganization and working with <strong>the</strong> College Republicans oncampus helped her with her job during <strong>the</strong> summer.The political science major says that <strong>the</strong> internship hasopened doors and pointed her in a direction after college. Sheplans on pursuing a career in special event planning andContinued on Page 16<strong>Today</strong>, FALL/WINTER 2007 15
Change language