From Early College to corporate aspirations: How NCMC Career Services helped Jaxon Kingma gain hands-on experience at Kilwins

When Jaxon Kingma sought help securing an internship in economics and information systems, he didn’t turn to his current school, Central Michigan University. Instead he returned home to North Central, where he’d graduated from the Early College program in 2022, knowing the support from his alma mater would set him on the right path. 

Kingma worked with NCMC Career Development Specialist Wendy Kresnak to land a summer internship at Kilwins in Petoskey. In his role as Junior Business Systems Analyst, he gained hands-on experience working alongside the IT department, immersing himself in systems critical to Kilwins’ business operations: its Customer Relationship Management, Enterprise Resource Planning, and Point of Sale systems. 

George Fabis, Kilwins’ director of IT, praised Kingma’s enthusiasm and the valuable contributions he made to the company’s digital transformation.  

 “Internships are a vital part of the college experience, especially when there’s strong collaboration between the student, their college, and the company,” Fabis said. 

Now Kingma looks toward his future with a clear focus: securing a full-time job in a corporate setting after he graduates from CMU in the spring. His preparation includes attending career fairs, gaining relevant certifications, and staying active in student organizations.  

His experience underscores how NCMC’s Career Services extends its reach beyond current students, helping alumni navigate their evolving career paths.

“I’m grateful to NCMC Career Services for connecting me with such an incredible opportunity while allowing me to stay close to home,” he said. “This position has been nothing short of amazing — I’ve learned so much and gained valuable experience in exactly the kind of career I’m looking forward to after graduation.”

North Central Michigan College’s Career Services provides personalized support to help students and alumni achieve their career goals. To explore opportunities and get expert guidance, schedule an appointment with Career Development Specialist Wendy Kresnak today.

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