Career Path Internship Program Celebrates 15 Years of Offering Transformative Student Opportunities

Idaho State University (ISU) is proud to celebrate the 15th anniversary of its renowned Career Path Internship (CPI) program, which has been nationally recognized for its innovation and effectiveness in preparing students for professional success. Established in 2010, the CPI program is a pioneering model that has transformed lives and careers, providing more than 11,000 real-world internship opportunities to students across all ISU campus locations.

Each year, ISU invests over $2 million in CPI internships, empowering students from every academic discipline to gain professional, paid internships. These opportunities not only enhance students’ academic studies and skill development but also help them build strong professional networks and advance toward their career aspirations.

“The CPI program is one-of-a-kind in the nation, helping students stand out among their peers and confirm their academic paths,” said Emily Jahsman, ISU Career Center associate director. “By connecting students with meaningful, hands-on experience, we’re enriching both our campus community and the workforce across Idaho.”

CPI students benefit from partnerships with more than 300 community organizations statewide and numerous academic departments and offices within ISU. Many CPI alumni are offered permanent positions with their host organizations after graduation or are accepted into prestigious graduate schools, including health care education and medicine programs, filling a critical gap in patient care for the state of Idaho. CPI students have also contributed to research featured in academic journals and presented at national and international conferences.

Studies consistently show that students who complete internships are better prepared for life and careers after graduation. They are more likely to secure employment, report greater job satisfaction, and earn higher wages than their peers. ISU’s CPI program allows students to integrate classroom theory with hands-on practice, cultivating essential transferable skills that benefit graduates for years to come.

“As we mark 15 years of the CPI program, we celebrate the many students whose lives have been transformed along with the countless organizations and communities strengthened by their contributions,” Emily Jahsman added.

For more information about the CPI program, visit their website.

Featured CPI Alumni

Austen Hunzeker (from Pocatello)
Austen Hunzeker is currently studying multiplatform journalism at ISU and will be graduating in May 2026. She is a CPI for the Idaho State Journal in Pocatello.

“I was initially interested in this CPI position with the Idaho State Journal because it offered me an opportunity to gain real-world experience in print journalism and get paid for it while still maintaining a full-time course load at school,” Hunzeker said.  

A highlight for Hunzeker at the Journal has been learning about the editor’s side of things. She’s been co-editing for The News-Examiner, a sister paper to the ISJ, and The Business Journal, a monthly publication through the ISJ. In doing so, she is learning more about how to better her own journalistic writing as well as honing a sharp eye for detail, which can be applied to any focus of journalism. 

“This internship will absolutely help me find employment upon graduation,” Hunzeker added. “It’s provided me with a solid base of resume-worthy experience as well as helped me build fruitful relationships.”

After graduation, Hunzeker hopes to pursue a career in print journalism, beginning here in Southeast Idaho. Further education in journalism also interests her, and she has begun preparing applications for master's programs.

PC: Mistie Hurley Photography 

Presley Arrowood (from Pocatello)
Presley Arrowood was a CPI for the Small Business Development Center, housed in the College of Business at ISU. She is now the Director of Marketing and Communications for the College of Business, a jump up the career ladder she credits the CPI experience for providing. 

“My personal CPI through the College of Business was incredibly important to my career,” Arrowood said. “While my resume and past work experience, of course, helped me get my job, I believe it was the decisions I made years ago, before I even had my degree, that made the difference.” 

Arrowood said she interned and took classes within the College of Business, and maintained a working relationship with the supervisor from her internship, Ann Swanson. When the director position opened, Swanson encouraged her to apply and supported me throughout the interview process. 

“When I went to campus for an in-person interview, I met with several professors I had had while taking classes, and they remembered me,” Arrowood said. “Did I ever think the impression I made on my College professors and internship supervisor would directly influence whether I got a job years later? No. Am I thanking my past self for all the hard work and networking she did? You bet.”

Jenna Hopkin (from St. Anthony) 
Jenna Hopkin is another long-term ISU employee whose career began as a CPI in the College of Technology.  She is now associate director of admission, recruitment, and outreach at Idaho State.

“My internship with the College of Technology was an incredibly formative experience that gave me real-world exposure to marketing, recruitment, customer service, and leadership,” Hopkin said. “I was fortunate to be mentored by Stuart Summers and worked closely with Corinne McCullough, both of whom challenged me with meaningful projects that strengthened my skills and enriched my professional portfolio.” 

During the internship, Hopkin also met Nicole Joseph, the Director of Admissions — a mentor whose guidance had such a lasting impact that she now works for her full-time in the Office of Admissions. Hopkin said one of the major highlights of the internship was creating real marketing materials for several College of Technology programs and assisting with broader recruitment campaigns across email and print. 

“I was also able to attend meetings with key stakeholders throughout the college to help them better understand their audiences and shape effective messaging for their programs,” said Hopkin. “In addition, I gained valuable hands-on experience in event planning and coordination with the Undergraduate Office of Admissions. I also had the daily opportunity to interact with prospective students and their families, sharpening my customer service and communication skills in ways that continue to benefit me today.” 

Now, Hopkin credits many of the people she met and collaborated with during the internship as professional colleagues, and is grateful for the strong foundation and relationships this experience provided.

Kaylee McKay (from Twin Falls) 
Originally a CPI, Kaylee McKay is now the marketing and communications coordinator for the College of Arts and Letters at ISU, a promotion recently obtained. Before joining the CPI program, McKay said she didn’t even know it existed. After graduating in May 2022, she was offered a position with the college. Without the CPI program, McKay said, her life would be very different.

“One day, I received an email from the then-marketing and communication director of the College of Arts and Letters, saying that one of my professors had shared my first assignment of the semester with her—and that he thought I was exactly the person they were looking for,” McKay said. “After a few emails and samples of my writing, I was offered the CPI position, which I gratefully accepted.”

However, just as she was completing the hiring paperwork, the marketing director left ISU, and the position was left vacant. McKay was told she could still move forward with the internship, but there wouldn’t be anyone available to mentor her. 

“I like a challenge, so I stayed on—and took on everything I could—from writing and graphic design to marketing strategy and brand management,” McKay said. “That decision changed my life. I learned more than I ever expected. The CPI experience gave me the chance to grow in ways I hadn’t imagined, and it completely shifted my career path.”

Erika Richards (from Meridian)
Erika Richards worked as a CPI for the sociology program, collecting data to help inform the United Way of Southeastern Idaho on where resources were most needed. She also worked for ISU Public Safety to expand training protocols as well as work with the CLERY Act over the summer of 2018 to learn about the CLERY Act and its importance. 

She continued her education and earned a master's in sociology from ISU in 2020 with thesis research focused on the mental and emotional experiences of probation/parole officers supervising sex offenders in Bannock, Twin Falls, and Canyon County. 

She then went on to earn a Doctor of Arts in Political Science in 2024 with a research focus on public opinion held towards sex offenders and the efficacy of sex offender management protocols.

“The CPI program helped connect me with individuals and entities on campus that provided me with real-world experience in the field I was interested in,” Richards said. “Without these experiences, I would not have had the opportunity to learn about the importance of the CLERY Act and how it works to help inform and minimize crime on campus, which led me to my interest in sex offender politics/research.”

Richards also credits her experiences as a CPI for her discovering a love for research and higher education, which propelled and motivated her to pursue further education after graduating with a bachelor's degree. 

“Since beginning my employment journey at ISU with the CPI program in 2017, I have discovered a deep love and desire to remain within the Bengal Community, and since then have remained employed on campus and proudly serve as the program coordinator for the TRIO McNair Scholars Program where I continue to promote access and opportunity for students seeking graduate education,” said Richards.