“I have loved working with Emma this summer! She is a joy to be around, has a great can-do attitude with the knowledge to back it up and a great work ethic. No matter what the task was she took it on with a smile. Not only did she do quality work, but she was also very fast. Emma was great about asking clarifying questions up front and comfortable jumping in to figure things out. I asked her to check out an app for one of our new software systems and put a how-to together for it, and she created a very thorough, visually pleasing product that impressed us all. We’re happy she gets to go back to campus, but she will truly be missed here at KMA!” — Mary Mickiewicz, KMA Finance and Administration Director
Emma, tell us a little bit about yourself and your college career so far.
My name is Emma Bushman and I am a sophomore at the University of Kentucky studying Business. In my free time, I play the flute and the cello and am a member of the University of Kentucky Philharmonic Orchestra as well as the professional business fraternity, Alpha Kappa Psi. Outside of campus, I’m also one of the co-founders of Bake Me Home, a non-profit organization that my sister and I started with our mom back in 2008, who KMA has generously done pro-bono work for in the past!
How have you managed through the pandemic and finishing your year online?
Finishing my freshman year of college online was definitely a challenge. Online learning is much different than physically being in the classroom, and technology (as we all know by now) can be a bit of a challenge at times. While it was an adjustment, my family has been incredibly fortunate throughout these difficult times, and the whole experience has really given me a new appreciation for the opportunities I’m afforded, both at school and outside of it. I think this experience has also made me even more grateful for the opportunity to learn hands-on and in-person at KMA this summer!
What has your summer internship experience been like?
I’ve had an amazing experience at KMA this summer — not only has everyone been incredibly nice and welcoming, but I’ve learned so much! I’ve had no prior experience with HR, so it was really interesting to learn more about the field and what an HR consulting firm actually does. It’s also been incredibly inspiring to work at a female-owned company alongside so many amazing and talented women!
What have you been working on, and is there a project that you enjoyed the most?
I’ve been working on a variety of projects over the course of my time at KMA, including preparing client materials, digitizing old files, and creating surveys for both internal and client use. I think my favorite project that I’ve worked on, however, has been creating internal manuals for technology like NetSuite and Microsoft Teams. As we’ve all learned over the past several months, technology can be difficult, so I’ve been working to create internal manuals in order to detail how best to navigate and utilize these platforms so that KMA employees can get the most out of these available resources.
What advice would you give a college student wanting to get the most out of an internship?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions! Internships are all about learning, but it’s hard to do so if you’re afraid to look stupid by asking a question. It sounds cliche, but there is no such thing as a stupid question! You’ll get so much more out of your internship experience if you do so. Other than that, be willing to try new things. An internship is a great opportunity to learn in a safe environment, so don’t be afraid to give something new a shot. Much of what we do in the classroom is theoretical, but sometimes the best learning comes from getting your hands dirty — just don’t be afraid to ask for help!
What are your plans for the future?
I’ll be returning to school this fall to attend a mix of online and in-person classes. As for more of the long-term (while I’m not sure what area of business I’d like to major in yet), I’m thinking of going into either Economics, Accounting, or Finance. In addition to this, I’m looking to possibly continue my education with an MBA after getting my undergraduate degree.
Thank you for your superb work, and all the best to you this semester, Emma!