Interning at the UAF Alumni Association
Mathew Carrick graduated from UAF in December 2015 with a BBA in economics and a minor in mathematics; he is currently pursuing his MBA at the School of Management. Mathew worked for the UAF Alumni Association in the fall of 2015.
Why did you decide to pursue your economics degree?
I wanted to learn business and management skills, but I also wanted a more quantitative, measured view than I thought I would get from a business administration degree, at least without going into finance. I also had an interest in economics before I came to UAF, so it seemed a natural fit. Finally, I liked my professors; UAF has some excellent faculty members. One professor who had an especially strong impact on me was Dr. Joe Little, whose introductory classes helped me decide that economics was something I wanted to pursue more seriously. After I declared my major, my interactions with Joe in and out of the classroom helped convince me I made the right choice.
Why did you want to intern for the UAF Alumni Association?
I had a few reasons. First, I love learning about UAF’s history, and I thought the Alumni Association would be a great place to do that. Second, I knew UAF has many talented alumni who know a lot about being successful, and I wanted the chance to learn from them. Third, I wanted to work in a traditional office environment and learn all the support skills that I’d be expected to know after graduation.
What did you learn through your internship?
All that I set out to learn and more: I’ve learned about UAF history, met some wonderful, experienced alumni, and improved my general office skills. I’ve also learned management practices through observation and have grown in the areas of fundraising and membership management. My past sales experience has been primarily retail-oriented, but through my internship at the Alumni Association I’ve gained a much better understanding of what motivates people to join an organization.
What advice do you have for students interested in internships?
Apply! There are so many internships available at UAF and elsewhere that often receive only one or two applications, if any. Don’t get discouraged by the job description – the worst anyone can do is say “no,” and your chances may be better than you think. At the same time, don’t just flip through job listings looking for anything, or you’ll be terribly bored and you probably won’t learn much. Think about what you’re interested in – even if it’s not directly work-related – and seek opportunities that will help you learn more about those areas or topics.
What was the best thing about your internship?
Definitely the people I work with. My office only includes three people, but we’re also a part of UAF’s Development team and we have the support of a nonprofit board of directors made up of alumni. Everyone is so positive and supportive that I always feel refreshed after a day in the office, no matter what I was doing. It’s an enjoyable atmosphere that’s inspired me to always try my best.
