VI junior Shelly Mathews has been chosen as the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) intern at Strongwell Corporation in Bristol, Va. She began March 22 and will complete 100 hours at the manufacturing company. In her temporary role, Mathews reports to the Marketing Manager and is responsible for assisting with the company’s new website launch, research projects and various marketing activities within the organization.
Mathews earned an Associate of Arts degree from Southwestern Community College and is currently pursuing a Business Administration degree at VI with a concentration in Marketing.
“I always had the dream of being a business woman, working for a Fortune 500 company in the city and going to work every day in formal business attire,” said Mathews. “I never knew what aspect of business I wanted to study until I took a marketing class and realized marketing is what makes me happy. Strongwell has been an amazing opportunity. I will finally have real world marketing experience.”
Mathews is also gaining experience and insight into how manufacturing, marketing, management, entrepreneurism, e-commerce, communications, economics, and science collaborate in relation to STEM.
“Strongwell has been a valuable community resource and partner with VI for several years,” says VI business professor David Hite. “We have introduced students to Strongwell’s manufacturing and successful business models with activities ranging from company tours and guest speakers to internships.”