At Covenant, students are equipped both through rigorous classes and opportunities outside the classroom. This summer, many students had the chance to continue exploring their calling through internships, including Mary Liles Hooker, Lincoln Stanfield, Jadyn Patton, Bryce Bollinger, and Jonathan Marshall. 

Mary Liles Hooker ’25, history major, interned with history professor Dr. Alicia Jackson through the funding from the Louisville Institute, preserving and documenting African American history in the North Georgia region.

Lincoln Stanfield ’26, pre-engineering major, worked as an engineering design intern, developing system parts at Automation IG.

Jadyn Patton ’26, an interdisciplinary studies major, interned at her church in Chesterfield, Missouri, as a youth ministry intern, planning youth events and developing the program’s curriculum.

Bryce Bollinger ’25, business major, interned at Unum, processing data as an expense management and optimization scholar intern. 

Jonathan Marshall ’27, majoring in biblical and theological studies, interned in El Salvador with Mission to the World, assisting with the early outreach stages of church planting.

Here are just a few stories about their experiences this summer off campus.

Equipped at Covenant

During the semester, courses provide students with the practical and professional skills needed for the workplace and instill a sense of calling and purpose. Students share how their time at Covenant College prepared them for work off the mountain. 

"My Bible classes here and studying scripture prepared me to help other students understand scripture." -Jadyn, Church Intern

"I think I pursued the internship because of Covenant. There's something so sweet that happens here when worshiping together as a community and growing in our faith. I really wanted to not go four months without that in the summer. Something like missions would be another one of those very direct, day by day, being poured into for others." -Jonathan, MTW Intern

Knowledge in Practice

Students don’t stop pursuing their calling each year when the semester ends. Summer internships provide a wonderful opportunity to continue learning and growing, even when classes aren’t in session. Student interns had the opportunity to work hands-on in their fields, whether by designing mechanical parts, filling out spreadsheets, or taking photos of historical artifacts.

"My classes with Dr. Jackson helped provide background for the history of African Americans in the South, but specifically in Chickamauga. Seeing photographs of families holding the artifact they were using made history feel more real. It made me feel more like I was honoring real people rather than just an event." - Mary Liles, Historical Documentor

"It definitely adds to my experience now seeing my own personal projects in the actual industry. So we can see that happening for a concrete purpose in the world." -Lincoln, Engineering Design Intern

Pursuing Stewardship

From data collection to hands-on ministry overseas, students communicated that they viewed their work as stewardship: loving others through their God-given resources and skills.

"We're called to be good stewards, and getting to be a good steward in my own small little area of expense management is definitely rewarding." -Bryce, Unum Intern

"He's opening the doors to take you where He wants you to be, where He's calling you. And we have a responsibility to be a part of figuring that out and stewarding the opportunities. You're not going to make a mistake in pursuing what the Lord wants you to do." -Jonathan, MTW Intern

Internships allow students to put the academic and spiritual growth they experience during the semester into practice. The Christ-centered training they receive on campus makes the work off campus more purposeful, as students do it all for the glory of God.

Learn more about how Covenant helps students prepare for relevant field experiences and internships through our Center for Calling and Career.

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