Coming to Montreat College from Zambia meant stepping into a new country, a new community, and a new season of life for Mapalo. Now a senior studying Visual Communication and Experience Design (VCXD), she has learned to see unfamiliar experiences as opportunities to grow. That same willingness to embrace something new eventually led her to an internship with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association at The Cove—an experience that introduced her to a new kind of workplace and gave her a clearer picture of what she hopes to pursue after graduation.
Mapalo first came to Montreat because of her interest in the college’s cybersecurity program, but her path eventually led her toward visual communication and design. As she developed her skills through the VCXD program, she began looking for ways to use her talents outside of the classroom.
That opportunity came when she discovered the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association internship on LinkedIn. She also knew another student in her major who had previously interned with the organization, which encouraged her to explore the opportunity further. Although she had never heard of The Cove before applying, she soon found herself working in an environment where design, communication, hospitality, and ministry all came together.
Throughout the internship, Mapalo was able to experience several sides of the organization.
“I did a little mix of everything,” she said. “I worked on design, helped with social media posts, assisted with general operations around The Cove, and also had the opportunity to shadow my supervisor.”
The variety of her responsibilities allowed her to apply what she had learned at Montreat in a professional setting. From designing flyers to helping with communication projects, Mapalo’s classroom learning became part of her everyday work.
“The way I approached projects and designed flyers came from skills I had been developing at Montreat,” Mapalo said.
By the end of the internship, Mapalo walked away with more than professional experience. She gained a better understanding of the kind of work environment she values, the role faith can play in the workplace, and the ways she hopes to use her skills to serve others. For her, the experience was also a reminder that being open to something unfamiliar can lead to opportunities she may not have considered before. As she looks toward life after Montreat, the lessons she gained at The Cove will continue to shape the goals she sets and the kind of professional she hopes to become.