Donor Support Helps EWU Communications Student Gain Career Experience

For Eastern Washington University senior Mia Blomgren, learning doesn’t stop when class ends. Thanks to scholarship support, internships, student leadership and community work, the 21-year-old from Edwall, Washington, has found opportunities to gain real-world experience and build professional skills she’ll carry into her career.

Blomgren, a communications major with a public relations emphasis, works at a local coffee stand and as an assistant at a yoga studio. Balancing work with classes and studying, she recently completed an internship at Numerica Credit Union.

For the past three years, Blomgren has also served on the board of the Eastern Washington University chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). Through her involvement with PRSSA, she has strengthened her leadership and communication skills while building connections across campus and in the community. As the holidays approached, she organized a community-service project that collected handmade cards featuring positive messages for residents at the Cheney Care Center.

“I joined [PRSSA] when I was a sophomore, and I was looking for ways to get more involved on campus and create a community here,” Blomgren says. “It’s been really great for me to just create connections, not only on campus, but also off campus.”

Financial support played a pivotal role in helping Blomgren gain professional experience while completing her degree. Last spring, a stipend provided through the Krumble Foundation allowed her to accept an unpaid internship with the EWU Advancement unit. During this experience, she honed her communication, interviewing and storytelling skills, which helped prepare her for her position at Numerica.

The Numerica internship aligns with her long-term goal of working in corporate responsibility after graduation. Blomgren says both Eastern and Numerica helped her with “learning to communicate effectively with larger teams.”

Through her work with PRSSA and EWU Advancement, Blomgren has seen firsthand how scholarships can make a difference for students. She has heard, written about and shared stories from fellow students who couldn’t have finished college—or participated in internships—without donor support.

“I just want to express my thanks. I really deeply appreciate it,” Blomgren says.

Help Build Futures Through Applied Learning

When students have the financial resources to pursue internships and other hands-on learning experiences, they can focus on building the knowledge, skills and connections they need for career success. Support EWU’s $100 million Build Our Future campaign to make these valuable opportunities possible. Your gift can provide scholarships and other resources that help students afford college, stay enrolled, gain meaningful professional experience and prepare for their futures.

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**Photo by Aaron Weer.