Share Your Journey: David Haines

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David Haines

Story by Soe Wai Lyian Toe

Alumni Spotlight: David Haines, '16, Business Administration

What off-campus opportunities did you seek out while you were a student? What did you learn?
I got an internship at Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO). EDCO is a great local team that fostered my professional career and supported my passions for student and workforce development. I worked in lots of different area: events, working with local companies, data entry, and work as a marketing coordinator. We had the biggest business venture conference in the Pacific Northwest when I interned there, and we did a Civil War Rally Auction for the local Boys & Girls Club.

Can you tell us more about your current job?
I am the Youth Career Connect Internship Coordinator at the Bend Chamber of Commerce. My job is to make it easier for both businesses and students to get internships. It is really hard for businesses to get the talent they are looking for. Many students coming out of school, whether high school or college, don’t have the soft skills that they really need to get into the industry they want. We try to use internships to close that gap between industry and education by giving students opportunities.

How did OSU-Cascades help and prepare you for a career in Bend?
When I was in school, the Career Development Center was very helpful to me. I would not have gotten my internship with EDCO if not for Laura Kloss reaching out to me about the opportunity, and working with me on my resume and cover letter. Classes like professional development and personal selling equipped me with skills that have helped me succeed in my career. Also, faculty members like Todd Montgomery and Kimberly Vierra pushed me in the classroom and supported me outside the classroom to pursue areas of interest to me.

Do you have any advice for current students?
Students should try to get engaged in their areas of interest while still in school. The local network here is very friendly; they welcome students. Use the resources you have in OSU too. Go talk to your professors about what you want to do and ask them how to get involved in that area. Don’t wait to build connections, start volunteering, and find summer internships. Last but not least, don’t be afraid about not knowing what you want to do. As long as you chase your passion and know what you are good at, you will reach your goal.

What’s the most common misconception that you see in students?
It’s true that companies want you, but you also have to want them. You have to reach out to them. Your degree is a tool to get what you want, but you have to be persistent.

What’s next for you?
My next step is developing the regional internship system (Youth Career Connect) and getting more involved in the Central Oregon community.