Cornerstone University Annual Magazine 2022

House has completed all three licensing exams he
needs to become a licensed financial advisor and is
now fully registered. He’ll be ready to begin his career
as soon as he graduates. He plans to put into practice
the lessons he’s learned in his time as an assistant to
a financial advisor: “It’s good to know both sides of
the business. I know that a request that sounds simple
may entail many steps and multiple approvals. I know
what questions to ask.”
Scholten says, “My internship solidified my passion
for working with teens. Through stepping into my
internship and practicing what I’ve learned, my
passions have come alive, and I’ve learned about
populations I didn’t know about that I want to work
with. My passion for working with clients who have
experienced relationship or marital issues or trauma
has grown.”
Admittedly, not every intern enjoys their experience.
Lavender reminds those students, “Well, if it wasn’t
great, that’s learning too! Was it the supervisor’s style?
Now you know how not to be as a supervisor. Was
it the industry itself? Did you find another aspect
of the company that appeals to you more? It’s
constant learning.”
WORKING OUT THEIR FAITH
Whether their internship is for a faith-based
organization or not, students’ faith often deepens as
they work it out in a new setting. Hinkle-DeGroot sees
his develop “in how I interact with people, showing
them respect and love, even if they aren’t acting in
a respectful way. It’s sports. People get heated. But I
focus on treating them with grace.”
Scholten has to work within a counseling code of
ethics and regulations about what she can and can’t
talk about. She says, “I am learning how to lean on the
Holy Spirit during sessions. I may not be able to talk
about faith with some of my clients, but I can listen
to the promptings of the Holy Spirit while we talk and
follow where the Spirit leads me.”
Jones sees a clear connection between her faith and
her work: “It’s in how you show up every day, with
a positive light and a positive spirit. I’m intentional
about making sure my work is the best I can do. Jesus
was always with the least of these. I practice active
empathy and active service to do the best I can for
people who don’t have resources.”
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CORNERSTONE UNIVERSITY ANNUAL MAGAZINE
FALL 2022
Eighty percent of
opportunities come
through relationship.
KEVIN LAVENDER
MORE THAN JUST
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
In his conversations with students and parents,
Lavender tells them, “Eighty percent of opportunities
come through relationship, and internships give
students the opportunity to make connections with
industry professionals. They can build their professional
references and portfolios. In general, 55% of internships
matriculate to job opportunities, so some students will
get to experience that.”
The trend is moving away from unpaid to paid
internships. This is good news for a generation that is
focused on graduating with minimal debt. But some
students, such as Jones and Hinkle-DeGroot, will
prioritize experience over pay.
It’s no surprise that so many students decide to
pursue more than one internship during their time at
Cornerstone. They get to put their classroom learning
into action, learn the relational skills that lead to success
in the workplace, refine their career passions and grow
spiritually as they work out their faith in a new setting
with new people—all while making connections with
professionals who can help them after graduation.
EMPOWERING
TOMORROW’S
LEADERS
Whether seeking a bachelor’s or master’s degree to
advance a career or follow your calling, Cornerstone
University’s online, accredited programs are convenient
and spiritually transformative. From business to theology,
from industry to education, U.S. News & World Report*
ranks CU’s online programs among the top in the state
with degrees that are affordable, flexible and personable.
*U.S. News & World Report’s 2021 Best Online Programs
PROFESSIONAL &
GRADUATE STUDIES:
+ 13 Fully Accredited Online Programs
+ Christ-centered Learning
+ Small Classes for Personal Attention
+ Transfer-friendly
+ Financial Aid Available
cornerstone.edu/experience
CORNERSTONE UNIVERSITY ANNUAL MAGAZINE
FALL 2022