Chicago Semester

Get to Know Keeley, Our New Internship Assistant!

Posted by Keeley Carson in Internships in Staff Stories | Nov 04, 2010

When I filled out an application to participate in the Chicago Semester internship program back in the beginning of 2009, little did I know that I would not only be accepted for the Spring 2010 session, but also eventually move to Chicago and end up working as a part time Internship Assistant! As a recent graduate of Central College, I knew I had to take the chance to move from the comfort of small town Iowa to the big, busy city of Chicago where opportunity constantly presents itself.

Growing up in tiny Marion, Iowa where corn was a perfectly normal and common conversation topic, and where things like public transportation, high fashion and even ethnic diversities were more than rare, I had not come across a whole lot of diversity or abnormalities in my day-to-day life; but I knew that had to change. I had been a Communication Studies student of Central College in Pella, Iowa where the only fun thing to do on a Friday night was to walk across campus to hang out with your friends – the town itself did not even have a movie theatre that had more than 3 screens! Though I love Pella’s small town atmosphere, what I truly desired could not be found there – or even really in the state of Iowa. I guess that is the main reason I filled out that application in the first place. I knew I wanted to promote music of real bands that had real shows. Sure, Iowa has some pretty decent music venues, but in a town like Pella or Marion, small bands never had a chance to make it big; there was too much corn and too much bigger competition in nearby metropolitan cities getting in their way.

But I knew I could overcome this. Armed with nothing more than my small town charm and friendliness and my strong drive for success, I headed to Hotel Allegro that blustery January afternoon, ready to start the rest of my life. And that I did. Since that day, I have felt my life going in a new direction. Though I am still not entirely sure what my future holds, because of Chicago Semester, I feel that I am more prepared and fully equipped to do whatever I want to do.

When the opportunity presented itself that I would be back at the CS office helping the Spring 2011 interns find sites and follow the same path I did, I was overjoyed!  I love having the opportunity to work with several of you students, getting to know your hopes and dreams and, along with Leslie and Janelle, helping find internships for some of you that will help you reach those goals. I truly cannot wait to meet you all and welcome you to the wonderful opportunities and life Chicago has to offer!

Photo Caption: Keeley (far left) with some of her CS friends, Spring 2010