Lacey Dykgraaf: McMinnville WORKS Internship Coordinator
Drew Van Valkenburg: Practicum Research Intern
The words “design and build” are heard often in the McMinnville Economic Development Partnership (MEDP) office. Every new opportunity is grasped with details worked out later. The two interns, Lacey Dykgraaf, the McMinnville WORKS Intern Coordinator, and Drew Van Valkenburg, the Research Intern, work closely with mentors Jody Christensen and Heather Hadley Blank to accomplish these tasks.
Drew's main project over the summer was compiling information into a database system to create more efficiency in the office. An Economics major from Willamette University, Drew was appreciative that the internship provided him with marketable skills: "it gave me an ample opportunity to research and learn about systems and software that I knew nothing about."
From the McMinnville WORKS Coordinator:
As the McMinnville WORKS Internship coordinator I have had the opportunity to work with a fantastic group of young professionals. While learning about the interns and their projects I was also given the opportunity to see how McMinnville
"Working with MEDP has shown me what makes the McMinnville community a great place."
functions as a town. Working with MEDP has shown me what makes the McMinnville community a great place.
Coming into this role, I was nervous about asking for favors from community members. Whether it was asking for professionals to come speak on a topic with the interns or asking organizations to lend space, the community seems to welcome this group of individuals with open arms. Not only
was I able to learn about the generosity of this town, Jody and Heather were always willing to bring me along to learn more about the businesses in the community. Whether it was touring and interviewing CEOs and business owners or attending the Oregon Economic Development Association Conference, I always
felt like Jody and Heather's main priority for me was to learn.
The biggest
takeaway I have from this program is the benefit that organizations get from employing interns and the benefit interns receive from working for employers who care. Programs like McMinnville WORKS bring the best out of communities while giving young professionals applicable job experience.