Internships are a valuable learning experience during your undergraduate years. These opportunities not only provide students an avenue for learning outside the classroom but also helps them grow in key career-building skills.

Amayah Thompson is a senior studying English with a minor in Women’s Studies. In summer 2022 before Amyah began her senior year she was awarded the Gyo Obata Fellowship (GOF) by the Regional Arts Commission. The Fellowship honors Gyo Obata, an architect, who designed numerous structures across the country, including Priory Chapel at Saint Louis Abbey and the James S. McDonnell Planetarium at the St. Louis Science Center. In the Fellowship, students are paired with arts-centered organizations. Thompson was paired with Consuming Kinetics Dance Company.

We spoke with Amyah to learn more about her experience and get insight into the value of a summer internship. Check out Amyah’s experience below:

My name is Amyah Thompson, but I go by Myah. I am a St. Louis native, born and raised, and the reason I chose Fontbonne is because of how the size of the school. I always feel like I can be unapologetically myself. I will never be the little fish in a big pond here.

I am currently studying English with a minor in Women’s Studies. I chose those fields because I can express my thoughts and emotions not only about life, the world, and other meaningful topics but also about feminism and the experience of being a black woman in society.

Literature has been a part of my life ever since I was in elementary school. I remember being an avid reader. I figured that if writing is what I love to do, so I might as well make a career out of it.

I got involved in the GOF through my professor and advisor, Lisa Oliverio, who was very helpful to me in finding an internship for the summer. She helped me see that this could be my chance to grow as a person and writer by stepping out of my comfort zone.

I was very excited to work with my internship supervisor, Arica Nyamsi (nee Brown), and her company, CKDC or Consuming Kinetics Dance Company. It is this fun and creative dance company that not only hosts classes for both adults and children to learn how to dance. They also host performances and a Dance and Art camp that she and other artists in the company participate in every summer.

I had many responsibilities during my time at CKDC.

• I kept inventory of the costume closet,
• Managed social media on the company’s Facebook and Instagram pages,
• Sent out weekly emails correspondence to clients about events happening at CKDC,
• Researched grants.
• I was even a Teaching Assistant at the Dance camp.

I took on a lot of jobs and projects, which helped me learn a lot.

This internship helped me with my future career as a writer because I learned how to connect with an audience while also learning how to promote brands through the power of social media. This internship opportunity also helped me gain a deeper understanding of my long-term goal to become an author. It helped me understand why I love writing so much.

My overall experience could be summed up with this phrase: The Future Is Female. I got to see a woman run and own a business. I got to be a part of this family that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I learned some very important life lessons about working for a company. I will never forget CKDC and the artists that I have met there. I got to see take on big responsibilities. It made me realize that everyone can achieve their goals.

To all future students who want to do this internship or any internship: Go APPLY! Take that chance and apply as I did. That way, you will have an experience you will never forget.

As my final year at Fontbonne approaches, my experience here is something I will carry with me forever. From gaining my first job to being a part of Sigma Tau Delta to this internship. I can say Fontbonne is the place where you grow take on opportunities you never thought you would have and do things you never thought you would do.

Every student can have an experience like Amyah. If you are interested in finding an internship reach out to our career development department.