When COVID-19 canceled Haley Faust’s summer internship, she returned to her hometown planning to spend the summer studying for the Law School Admission Test. However, she found a way to use her strengths by interning at the Columbus Area Future Fund in cooperation with the Columbus Area United Way.
“My internship focused on employability, finding ways to help adults improve their relevant job skills and developing systems to help them do that. Working in a nonprofit setting and giving back to a community that I love so much was exciting,” said the senior management major.
Haley Faust secured a second summer internship that positively impacts her hometown of Columbus, Nebraska, after COVID-19 canceled her initial plans.
Faust appreciated how the internship focused on people’s skills and talents. The role gave her the chance to put into practice her strengths, developed through the Clifton Strengths Institute staff, by helping see and bring out the best in people.
“The internship has a strengths-based aspect of making people better at what they're good at already. The College of Business does a great job having an overall theme of strengths and working on them. It's sparked a passion in me, and that's something I can use in all aspects of my life,” said Faust.
Dr. Tim Hodges, executive director of the Clifton Strengths Institute, stated students are placed in a strengths-based atmosphere from day one. He believes strengths provide Nebraska Business students with an advantage in the workplace.
“Our students receive coaching from trained student strengths coaches during their first eight weeks. This early investment creates a powerful coaching mindset they carry with them into their careers,” said Hodges. “Students like Haley bring an incredible passion and creativity to their work. They not only learn about strengths in the classroom, they are constantly looking for ways to apply them in new and exciting ways.”
Faust believes applying strengths to her internship provided a different perspective than she would have received anywhere else, particularly during a pandemic.
“Interning with United Way during this time, especially with COVID-19, has been especially insightful and a great learning experience,” she said. “Also, being in my hometown and giving back is very rewarding.”