Casey Spivey was named Intern of the Year at the annual IMPACT Awards luncheon in 2013. Today, she is a full-time employee with the Indiana State Personnel Department – the same organization she worked for as an intern when she earned the award.
Indiana INTERNnet: What have you been up to career-wise since graduation and earning an IMPACT Award?
Casey Spivey: I started my internship with the State of Indiana the day after I graduated from college. Thankfully, the Indiana State Personnel Department (SPD) offered me a Benefits Specialist positon before the conclusion of my internship, so I was able to transition directly into full-time employment with the State! I spent about a year in SPD’s Benefits Division before transferring to a Generalist position supporting the Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC). Currently, I manage Human Resources for the Pendleton Correctional Complex, which consists of three IDOC facilities.
IIN: How did your internship and the experiential learning it offered help you get to where you are today?
CS: The experience I gained throughout my internship with the State of Indiana certainly laid the groundwork for the career that I have built with the Indiana SPD. During my internship, I was exposed to many different state agencies and created relationships that have assisted me in every position I’ve held.
IIN: What beneficial projects did you work on during your internship?
CS: The Indiana State Personnel Department allowed me to play an active role in their talent acquisition initiatives. I was able to design templates for their social media web pages, build custom QR codes used the for the Indiana Summer Celebration Career Fair and create an advertisement displayed in the Indiana Government Center showcasing the multitude of positions available throughout State government.
IIN: What would you say to college students about the value of internships?
CS: Internships are an incredible opportunity to gain meaningful experience and build lasting relationships that could be beneficial throughout your career. Seek internships that will challenge you and provide the opportunity to learn new things. Internships not only allow you to gain experience and build your résumé, but they also give you the opportunity to show an organization why you would make the perfect addition to their team.
IIN: What are your career plans for the future?
CS: I certainly plan on continuing to develop my career in human resources. I take advantage of every opportunity to gain new experiences and strengthen my skill set. Ultimately, I would like the opportunity to direct human resources for a large agency or organization.
