Our Wildwood, Volume 53

“” INTERNSHIPS ALSO GIVE STUDENTS A CHANCE TO APPLY THE SKILLS WE EMPHASIZE AT WILDWOOD—COLLABORATION, COMMUNICATION, CRITICAL THINKING—IN AUTHENTIC ENVIRONMENTS. —PHIL McFARLAND

give students a chance to apply the skills we emphasize at Wildwood—collaboration, communication, critical thinking—in authentic environments.

OWW: Jacob, what stands out to you about that internship experience?

JACOB: It was a huge turning point. At Wildwood, I was deeply involved in the theater program—but the internship took it to another level. Suddenly, I was working alongside professionals, helping spec out audio systems and contributing to technical documents for a major performing arts center. I had to dig through construction drawings, figure out dimensions, power loads, rigging specs—it really forced me to level up. It was an early crash course in what the work actually entails.

OWW: What advice would you both give to students heading into their first internship?

JACOB: Stay curious. Ask questions—especially the small ones. If something happens in a meeting and you don’t understand it, follow up and ask why. That’s how you learn. Also, apply yourself. The more you put in, the more you’ll get out. And if you find it’s not your thing? That’s okay. Be honest with yourself and use it as a chance to pivot or explore other interests. PHIL: I always say: bring passion. Nobody wants to work with someone who’s disengaged or negative. People are usually happy to teach someone who’s excited to learn. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes—it’s part of the process. Just show up ready to grow.

OWW: How did that experience impact your sense of what you wanted to pursue?

JACOB: Before the internship, I wasn’t quite sure how to connect what I loved doing with a future profession. Seeing real people doing this work every day made it feel attainable. I also saw how broad the field really is—it’s not just about plugging in lights or running sound cues. It’s business strategy, client relationships, logistics, and problem-solving. The internship gave me a model and a direction.

OWW: Jacob, you’re now in a leadership role. Have you had interns of your own?

JACOB: I have! What I appreciated most was seeing that same curiosity and eagerness to learn that I had during my internship at Wildwood. It really drove home how formative that early experience was for me. I try to pay it forward by creating the kind of environment I had: one where learning is hands-on, questions are encouraged, and even mistakes are part of the process. The foundation Wildwood gave me still informs how I work and how I support others today.

OWW: Phil, from your perspective, why is the internship program so important to the Wildwood experience?

PHIL: Real-world learning builds confidence and resilience. It pushes students out of their comfort zones and gives them a sense of what it means to show up, contribute, and navigate professional expectations. It’s called work for a reason—it can be challenging. But those challenges are what help students grow. Internships also

OWW SUMMER 2025

5