Arc Southwest provides opportunities and supervision for students at the undergraduate or graduate levels to complete non-paid internships. Two internship areas are available; one for technical support such as web updates, data base support, and newsletter publication and the other is with a program called Self-Advocates Minnesota or SAM for which Arc SW is a host agency. A SAM internship will provide the student an opportunity to interact with persons with disabilities directly, participate in training sessions, theatre activities, and all aspects of planning that goes along with this networking organization. For further information on an internship call Wilbur at 507.345.4223 or email at wilbur@hickorytech.net.
Below are some bios of and by the Arc Southwest's most recent interns.
Self-Advocates of Minnesota Intern - April Kinner
I am originally from Elkton, South Dakota. I attended the University of Minnesota Morris for Sociology and Human Services. I was given the opportunity to be a facilitator for a service learning project which entailed that I work with my peers as well as individuals in a nursing home to work on projects which enhanced their abilities. I worked on this project for three years, while attending UMM.
I had the chance to travel to Thailand for a summer session. This was an amazing cultural experience, which opened my eyes to variety of issues. The summer before my junior year there was an opportunity to continue my service learning in Ikaria, an Island of Greece. We did projects in the local nursing home.
Upon the end of my undergraduate degree I decided to come to Minnesota State University Mankato to work on a Masters in Gerontology. I am excited to be a part of the SAM project and am excited to see the continued advances and movements of self-advocacy while I am here! Thanks.
Communications Intern - Matthew Vercant
I am originally from upstate New York where I attended SUNY Fredonia and majored in English and Philosophy. While there I worked on a number of small press and newsletter publications, including a student magazine and newspaper, and the newsletter for the local arts center.
When I finished at Fredonia, I came to Minnesota State University, Mankato for a graduate degree in writing. While here I was offered the opportunity to intern with the Arc Southwest and work on their newsletter and website.
This is an exciting prospect for me, since I can extend the skills I learned as an undergraduate into new professional territory. I am excited to help move the Arc Southwest’s newsletter and website forward with the help of the staff and members.
Public Relations Intern - Tim Zick
I am originally from Snellman, Minnesota. I began attending college at Minnesota State, Mankato in the fall of 2004 and will be finished after the spring semester of 2009. My major is mass communications with an emphasis in public relations and my minor is in philosophy.
My internship at the Arc of Minnesota Southwest is providing me with valuable experience needed to become a successful public relations specialist. It has been a fun job thus far, as I have been exposed to so many new people.
My primary objectives while working at the Arc are to maintain the effectiveness of its Web site and to lend a hand creating promotional literature about the Arc and the events it hosts.
Journalism Intern - Nicole Dady
I am originally from Lincoln, Nebraska. My family and I moved to Wells, Minnesota in 1996. I began attending college at Minnesota State University, Mankato in the fall of 2005. I will graduate in May 2009. My major is mass communications with a concentration in journalism and my minor is in creative writing.
I am a new intern at the Arc of Minnesota Southwest. During the spring semester I will be helping the Arc staff in the process of organizing and carrying out the annual rose sale for 2009. So far I have enjoyed meeting many new people as well as getting a better understanding of how to be a successful advocate for an organization that I represent. I am enjoying using the skills I have learned in my classes to complete tasks here at the Arc.
I look forward to helping prepare documents and working with coordinators, businesses and volunteers who are a part of the rose sale process. I also look forward to the rose sale itself--I know it will be a huge success this year.
I am originally from Snellman, Minnesota. I began attending college at Minnesota State, Mankato in the fall of 2004 and will be finished after the spring semester of 2009. My major is mass communications with an emphasis in public relations and my minor is in philosophy. 
I am originally from Lincoln, Nebraska. My family and I moved to Wells, Minnesota in 1996. I began attending college at Minnesota State University, Mankato in the fall of 2005. I will graduate in May 2009. My major is mass communications with a concentration in journalism and my minor is in creative writing.