The Daily O’Collegian

Barbecues, tanning beds, short-session classes ­— these are a few things students can expect when finishing up their spring finals.

For upperclassmen, summer also brings the opportunity for some real-life experience through jobs and internships. This is how apparel merchandising seniors Lauren Himes and Shannon Campbell spent their vacation.

This past October, Himes and Campbell went on the “New York Experience” trip for design, housing and merchandising students. At an alumni dinner, they met Toby Treadwell, OSU alumnus and account executive for Eliza J., a dress line.

Both got the internship in the Eliza J. showroom after interviewing with Treadwell.

“We assisted the sales team, processed orders and presented samples at meetings,” Himes said.

Although they gave up a leisurely break from classes, the two DHM students said they didn’t regret a minute of it.

“Not only did we learn a lot at work, but we got to experience a completely different lifestyle,” Campbell said. “It was definitely worth the money and time spent away from friends and family.”

The fact that the internship was unpaid didn’t bother either student. “I wouldn’t take it back,” Himes said. “We made a lot of contacts and new friends.”

Their whole summer wasn’t only dedicated to work, though.

“Every weekend we tried to do and see something different,” Campbell said.

Himes said one of her favorite things was walking on the Brooklyn Bridge. “It was so exciting — I would recommend it for anyone. And it was free,” Himes said.

Having gained invaluable experience, Himes and Campbell said they highly recommend participating in an internship.

“If it’s on your resume and employers see that you are willing to do a job for free, you’re obviously going to be a hard worker and someone they would want to hire,” Campbell said.

Himes said students should get an internship where they plan on living.

“I lived in New York City for two months and it was definitely enough time for me to decide whether I liked it or not,” Himes said. “I plan on moving there in a year.”

Himes and Campbell are proof that students can have fun over the summer break, but also be productive and work towards their goals.

Jordan Shinn took a walk on the wild side this summer, working as a ranger at the Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, N.M.

Spanning more than 250 square miles, he said “[Philmont] is unlike any scout camp in the world.”

Philmont is home to Baldy Mountain, which reaches an astounding 12,441 ft.

It is not only a beautiful place to behold, but also home to many creatures.

More than 1,000 staff members and 22,000 campers find their way into Philmont every summer, Shinn said.

Shinn’s schedule allowed him two days to meet with campers and prepare them for their hike — no small task because the campers needed to be prepared for a lengthy 10-day adventure.

“My job as a ranger [was] to go out and teach [scouts] how to camp,” Shinn said.

However, campers were not the only creatures Shinn handled. Many bears also inhabit the woods of Philmont.

Shinn suggested, “Never run from a bear [because] it will chase you. [So], just stand your ground.”

Shinn’s information might not sound entirely practical to OSU students, but just wait until those Charmin bears decide to take a liking to your garbage can.

“I want to go back,” he said.

Just ask DeIra Taylor what the highlight of her summer was and she’ll immediately tell you about her Hawaiian vacation.

“This was an incredible summer that I will never forget,” she said.

“You couldn’t have asked for a better climate; in the 80s during the day and in the mid-70s at night,” she said.

Not only was the scenery breathtaking, Taylor said, but she was also surrounded by the beautiful Hawaiian culture that made her feel right at home.

She said her favorite dish was roasted pig that was cooked underground, with meat was so tender that it slid right off the bone.

Aside from the food, Taylor said she enjoyed visiting the islands.

Small, relatively undeveloped Kaua’i was her favorite.

When not shopping at the island’s North Shore, Taylor said she was at the beach getting a tan, digging her feet in the sand and watching the waves.

While most students at OSU spent their summer days rejuvenating for the upcoming school year, incoming freshman Bailee Applegate took a different route.

Applegate spent one week during July witnessing to Navajo Indians in Pinedale, N.M., along with members of the Skedee Assembly of God in Skedee, Okla.

The congregation’s goal was to share their knowledge of Jesus Christ with people who may not have access to Christianity.

Applegate said the mission trip was a life-altering experience because it changes “the way you think about everyday situations, how you cherish life and how you should treat others.”

When the group first arrived in New Mexico, Applegate said “the Navajo People were afraid at first, but by the end of the week, they had warmed up to us enabling them to soak up all we had to offer.”

The trip offered Applegate a chance to connect with a different society while spreading Christianity.

During the week, Bailee would minister to younger children in the mornings at Vacation Bible School.

At night, the adults and teenagers came together allowing Bailee and her church members to interact with them on a higher level.

“We cooked for the families, worked on crafts and played fun games but focused mainly on praise and worship along with alter calls,” recalls Bailee.

By involving crafts, games and meals, witnessing to the Navajo Indians was simpler since the church made an effort to connect with their culture, as well.

According to Applegate, the trip was a success, resulting in 50 people converting to Christianity. Upon spending time in New Mexico, Applegate said she has a new understanding of people from a different background after “interacting with a totally different culture with completely different values,” and is happy that Christianity can be the string that ties everyone together.