This summer, our IEW team grew by a few more people—college interns who have been helping in a variety of ways around the office. One of these special people is Kaitlyn Butts. Enjoy reading a little about Kaitlyn and how IEW bolstered her college communication experiences.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m blessed to be the eldest daughter of two incredible parents and older sister of five delightful little siblings. I grew up near Charlotte, North Carolina, where I was homeschooled for my entire life. During my years at home, I was an avid reader, curious student, speech competitor, and piano teacher.
What do you do now?
I enrolled at Grove City College, a private Christian liberal arts college located an hour north of Pittsburgh, in the fall of 2017. I’m pursuing piano and speaking, my two most deeply rooted passions, through a double major in music and philosophy. Aside from extensive accompanying work, I provide music for various college functions, work in the admissions office, and participate in several extracurricular activities. This summer I’m working on a variety of curriculum-related tasks as an intern at IEW’s office in Oklahoma.
What grade were you in when you used IEW?
I believe that I was in middle school when I used IEW’s Student Writing Intensive* and Fix It! Grammar materials. My mom utilized these two programs as the base of my language and writing studies and incorporated tips from IEW’s conference seminars into some of my other studies.
In what ways has IEW helped you in college?
I’m confident that habits formed early have benefited me throughout the almost perpetual communication demanded by the collegiate atmosphere. IEW’s model taught me to view writing as a process that one could methodically unlock as well as an art to be improvised. This flexibility is critical for navigating a variety of writing assignments. Secondly, IEW has assisted me in my career goals by offering me the opportunity to record podcasts and work in their office as a summer intern. Revisiting the seminars and brushing up on some finer points of grammar as I assist them has been beneficial in ways I couldn’t have anticipated prior to beginning my internship.
Do you see any connection from your IEW training to your ability to communicate beyond writing?
When I began to pursue skills in public speaking seven years ago, IEW’s mindset was certainly attuned to the lessons I learned competing in the NCFCA organization. And now IEW has partnered with NCFCA in the effort to help students experience the same increased confidence in their oral communication skills that I did. I have found my comfort with public speaking and ability to formulate thoughts clearly in conversation to be invaluable.
Do you have any plans for the future where writing and communicating will be needed?
My primary career goal is to be deeply involved in the field of communications as a professional public speaker and advocacy worker, which makes the answer to that question a certain yes. I’ve always enjoyed writing and hope to continue updating my blog, investing in term papers at college, and perhaps even pair writing alongside my speaking efforts.
What one piece of advice would you give your younger self?
Please don’t worry so much about how other people perceive your communication, written or oral. Caring deeply for the things you have communicated and how they can be used to glorify God is more important than trying to ensure everyone else is satisfied.
Kaitlyn has been a delight to have in the office, and we have appreciated the work and insight she has shared with our team. Kaitlyn, we are confident you will succeed in your goals. Thank you for sharing your summer with all of us. We wish you the best as you continue your studies!
*The Student Writing Intensive series was discontinued in November 2019 and replaced by the new Structure and Style for Students program.
