Bridget Heindl

Majors: Global Studies, Spanish Language and Culture
Minors: Communications, Human Rights Studies

East Kentucky Case Management Intern at Appalachia Service Project

How did you learn about this internship opportunity?

I was part of a youth group in high school that participated in a volunteer week with Appalachia Service Project (ASP). Although I was unable to go on the trip, I was looking for an internship at an organization with a service-based mission, so in the summer of 2025 I applied for and accepted a position on their summer staff. This summer, I reached out about potential departmental internships and learned about the opening in the East Kentucky office!

What is a piece of advice you would give someone in your major looking for an internship?

Find an organization with a mission that you are passionate about! I’ve always known that I wanted to work somewhere where I cared about the impact that I was helping create. Whether you are passionate about disaster recovery, human rights, education, or something else, figure out what your passion is and pour into it.

What key responsibilities or projects have you taken on during your internship?

During my internship with ASP, one of my main responsibilities was working with ASP's grant department to qualify homeowners for different federal grants. Throughout this process, I was the main point of contact for communicating with and collecting documents from homeowners who were interested in applying for our new build and home repair services. One of my additional projects was streamlining the East Kentucky hubs intake and referral processes into one cohesive system.

How has your internship helped build your skills and clarify your career goals? How did being a Liberal Arts student at Purdue apply to your internship?

My internship with ASP has helped me see a different side of nonprofit operations and opened my eyes to different careers in the field. The College of Liberal Arts at Purdue emphasizes the importance of tackling issues with an interdisciplinary lens, something that I was able to translate to my internship.

In what ways has the College of Liberal Arts at Purdue University supported your internship journey? How has your participation in our Job-Ready program specifically aided your professional development?

The College of Liberal Arts has supported my internship opportunity by providing me with transferable skills, particularly in communication and problem-solving. Through my discussion based classes, I’ve strengthened my ability to come up with effective ideas within a team setting. One of the benefits of the Job-Ready program was that it helped me put into words the impact that I made at my internship this summer.

Could you highlight a standout aspect of your experience in the Job-Ready program that you find particularly noteworthy?

One of the highlights of my summer experience was having the opportunity to meet Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear. He visited one of our high-ground communities and announced an additional $2.5 million investment for 25 new homes in the community!