PaR Systems helps ATC student expand career options with internship
JESUP, Ga. (Oct. 5, 2011) – Altamaha Technical College student Nakia Nixon of Jesup says she discovered her calling, and it’s all because of an internship this semester with Jered LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of PaR Systems, Inc., in Brunswick.
“I plan to go into the field of market analysis and research now,” said Nixon, a marketing management student. “I like the research aspect of it. You have to dig deeper and deeper, uncovering more and more.”
Nixon learned first-hand about market research while working on a special project about wind tunnels during her three-month internship. PaR Systems Human Resources Manager Michelle Smiley said Nixon not only presented the project well to the senior leadership team but earned the opportunity to assist PaR at their corporate office in Minnesota preparing for a celebration of the company’s 50 years in business later this year.
Jered, LLC, headquartered at corporate offices on Sidney Lanier Drive in Brunswick, provides marine customers with specialty equipment/cargo handling systems and deck machinery.
 “We had an absolute positive response from the corporate level about Nakia,” said Smiley. “As a non-traditional student, she brings a fresh view with her life experience. It’s been a positive experience for us all around.”
Nixon, a single parent of three young men, pursued the opportunity to intern with PaR Systems on the advice of her marketing instructor, Chad Swanson, and ATC job coordinator Markisha Butler.
“I had no clue how corporate business ran and its atmosphere,” said Nixon. “If you’ve ever been in a foreign country you’ll understand. There are lots of new terms and codes to learn. But everybody has been great and the experience itself has been very valuable. It’s definitely something I can take with me in my future.”
Nixon’s grandfather, Seth Andrews of Jesup, served on the Wayne County Board of Education in the mid-1990s. He, as well as her three sons, is an inspiration to her. Her youngest son, 17, is a Wayne County High School senior.
“They are the reason I push to excel every day,” said Nixon.
She is a member and active in the youth leadership of Bennett Union Missionary Baptist Church in Jesup. She also works part-time at Altamaha Healthcare in Jesup as a Dietary Cook. She plans to finish her ATC coursework next summer and continue her education, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marketing with a research emphasis.
Expanding ATC student’s job opportunities
Altamaha Technical College Career Placement and Development Coordinator Markisha Butler encourages students to make an appointment with her if they are struggling in finding a job, building their resume with internships and even touching up their interview skills through mock interviews.
“With the economy the way it is, I encourage companies to build more partnerships with the college for internships. It can be a win-win for both the company and the student,” said Butler. “For students like Nakia, since she’s still in school, she’s abreast of the latest technology and trends, and she brings fresh ideas to the organization that a 25 to 30-year employee may not have if they didn’t continue to advance their career with education. In turn, these students gain the experience they need to land a job in today’s economy. Employers are looking for both education and experience these days.”
Butler’s office is located on the Jesup campus in Student Affairs, but she can be available at any of ATC’s five campus locations by making an appointment. Contact her at (912) 427-1969 or email her at
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To learn more about the marketing management and other degree or certificate programs at Altamaha Technical College, visit the college online at www.altamahatech.edu.
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