Rural Fellows internship helps Quick prepare for graduate work

16 Aug 2023    

Meet Maycee Quick, who recently earned her bachelor’s degree in hospitality, restaurant and tourism management. A native of Alliance, Maycee spent her summer as a Rural Fellows intern in Knox County. The Rural Fellows program places university students in Nebraska communities for seven weeks each summer to work with local leaders on community-designed projects. 

What made you interested in applying to be a rural fellow for the summer? 

After graduation, I will be starting an assistantship with Dr, Kristin Malek and working toward completing my MBA. My assistantship is funded through the USDA placemaking grant awarded to Knox County in the Northeast Nebraska region.  

My plan post-graduation is to be Dr. Kristin Malek’s graduate assistant while completing my MBA. Through this graduate assistantship, I will be working on the USDA placemaking grant awarded to the Northeast Nebraska region, specifically Knox County. When I heard Knox County was doing the rural fellowship, I thought it would be only right that I apply so I can begin my journey with Knox County. I thought that living there would kickstart my graduate work as I familiarized myself with the area and people.   

How were you able to connect what you’ve learned in classrooms to what you did this summer? 

In my previous classes, I have had to use Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe Photoshop, and Canva to create marketing material. I did this frequently during my Rural Fellowship as a lot of my work was focused on marketing Knox County. I created social media marketing posts and numerous print materials using skills I had previously attained. When applicable, I was also able to contribute towards event and meeting planning and it has been a focal point of my undergraduate career.   

What have you learned during your time as a rural fellow that will help you as you move forward in your academic career and beyond? 

Working in a rural community far from my friends and family was challenging to me and brought me out of my comfort zone. As I faced these challenges independently, I have learned different ways and methods to get through challenges with perseverance to accomplish my set goals. The skill of perseverance will be vital in moving forward in my academic and professional careers.   

What advice would you give to students thinking about applying to be a rural fellow in the future? 

I would encourage rural fellows to become familiar with the program and see how the experience can positively impact them. There are many skills and much knowledge to be learned working in one’s field in a rural community. It is also important to stray from what one previously knows and to go where things may feel uncomfortable. Anyone applying for rural fellows must be open to healthy challenges and to growing as an individual, leader, and peer.