FSU students win state's most desirable internships

Students at Florida State University are filling some of Florida's most desirable internships in 2008. Four FSU students were chosen for the Gubernatorial Fellowship Program and two for Disney's sports management internship.

The Gubernatorial Fellowship Program introduces college students eager to receive on-the-job, first-hand training to careers in government. Students will be expected to participate in daily government activities and will have the opportunity to hear from guest lecturers including Governor Crist and other Florida government officials.

The annual Gubernatorial Fellowship program will begin June 30 and last until December 12; fellows will work in either the Executive Office of the Governor or in the Governor's agencies, depending on their area of study. The Fourth Class of Gubernatorial Fellows selected for 2008 include:

• Karen Modzelewski, 25 (Venice, Fla.), a graduate student in public administration. Modzelewski was introduced to the fellowship through her professors in the Askew School of Public Administration. "I knew the moment I heard about the program that this was something I would love to do," said Modzelewski.
• Jennifer Young Blalock, 29 (Tallahassee, Fla.), a doctoral candidate in educational leadership and policy studies.
• Lauren Hylemon, 23 (Naples, Fla.), a graduate student in public administration.
• Jacob T. Cremer, 23 (Palatka, Fla.), a second-year law student pursing a combined master's degree in urban and regional planning. "In a year of budget cuts and financial strains, it should be especially rewarding to be with an agency that is constantly working to balance competing interests," said Cremer.

FSU students will also participate in a Disney internship program that gives students who have a special interest in sports administration an opportunity to gain experience in their field of study.

Since 1996, Disney has offered students at accredited universities and colleges who are in master's or doctoral programs the chance to be a part of a year long internship with their sports and recreation department. The internship is annually held at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex in Orlando, Fla.

William Harper, a graduate student in sports administration, and Lauren Morningstar, a graduate student in integrated marketing management, are among 25 students selected nationally for the Disney sports management internship.

Interns will have the responsibility of organizing special events while learning about sports marketing, public relations and business development.

"I most look forward to the Endurance Program that I'll be a part of during the internship," said Morningstar. "My responsibility will be to plan a marathon from beginning to end."

For more information about the Gubernatorial Fellowship or to view past fellows, visit myflorida.com/fellows/. For more information about the Disney Wide World of Sports and other programs offered, visit disneyworldsports.disney.go.com.

By Jonathan Wallace