International Student Finds Success in Fort Wayne, Indiana through IPFW Career Services Externship Program

Strategic Insights -

Ella Norgren, a junior organizational leadership major with a minor in communication at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW), always knew she wanted to go to college in the United States. Growing up in Uppsala, Sweden, Norgren came to IPFW on a tennis scholarship and later stayed at the university due to the quality of education and people. After learning about the IPFW Career Services externship program, Norgren applied and was accepted into the program, which provides students with the opportunity to explore a specific career path, gain marketable job experience, and make professional connections. Through the externship, Norgren spent several days at the Grand Wayne Convention Center as an event planning extern, where she shadowed Kim Kelso, events and community relations manager, and even participated in a hair show as a model. Following her externship experience, Norgren decided to pursue an internship in the Fort Wayne area with Trelleborg, a Swedish company with operations worldwide.

Key Takeaways:

  • Ella Norgren, an international student from Sweden, utilized the IPFW Career Services externship program to explore her career interests in human resources and marketing.
  • Norgren spent 2-5 days at the Grand Wayne Convention Center as an event planning extern, where she shadowed Kim Kelso and participated in daily operations.
  • The externship program provided Norgren with a wide range of experiences, including planning meetings, guiding move-ins, and participating in a hair show as a model.
  • Following her externship, Norgren pursued an internship in the Fort Wayne area with Trelleborg, a Swedish company with 16,000 employees worldwide.
  • Norgren's experience with the IPFW Career Services externship program led her to realize that she loves her chosen career field and hopes to continue working in marketing communications.
  • The externship program allows students to gain marketable job experience and make professional connections by working with hosts-IPFW employees or employers who are currently working in a field of interest.

Statistics:

  • 16,000: Number of employees worldwide at Trelleborg, a Swedish company with operations in Fort Wayne.
  • 2-5 days: Duration of the IPFW Career Services externship program, which takes place during fall and spring break.
  • 16,000 employees worldwide: Global headcount of Trelleborg, with operations in Fort Wayne.
  • 2 locations: Number of Trelleborg locations in Fort Wayne, including a test space for engineers and a manufacturing plant in New Haven.

Sources:

  • Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) news release, December 7
  • The Communicator, IPFW student newspaper
  • IPFW Career Services website: http://www.ipfw.edu/career
  • Trelleborg website: [Note: No specific Trelleborg website link provided in the source material]
  • SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info)