Hope College Economics & Business Department

09/04/2026

This summer, we’ve enjoyed taking an inside look at the day-to-day of Economics & Business students who put their skills and knowledge to work at various internships in West Michigan and beyond. We couldn’t be more thrilled to wrap up this series with Blake Bendon (’27), a business major who spent his summer as a finance intern at Haworth.

As an intern in a project-based role, Blake spent much of his time working cross functionally across the entire finance department. He applied his analytical skills to data, identifying key trends and insights. He also built core technical competencies through frequent work in Excel, SAP, AI, Python and Power BI.

But even beyond the technical skills, Blake says the networking and professional development he gleaned as part of the experience was truly invaluable. He enjoyed the opportunity to participate in training events, vocational speakers and 4x30s (conversations between interns and individuals in a variety of roles throughout the company).

Blake says that networking with Hope alumni employed at Haworth is what made his summer experience possible. Not only was he able to discuss their work and Haworth experience with them, but he even went on a company tour with a HR rep before being hired for the internship role.

He says every internship is about creating value -- using the skills you already have, while also being eager and willing to learn the skills you don’t yet have.

Looks like it was a great summer of learning and growth, Blake. Congrats!

08/27/2026

08/24/2026

From in-class marketing project to an enriching summer experience, Gale Mercado (’27) is thankful for the journey that led her to her Branch Office Administrator internship at Edward Jones.

Working as part of the George Lee Halvorson Wealth Management Group, Gale has been spending these last few months working on assignments from the 3 financial advisors and 2 Branch Office Administrators that make up her team. She built marketing and event plans, coordinated social media, managed data and completed numerous trainings. She’s gotten a first-hand look at broader company strategy, team culture and the financial planning industry along the way too.

As part of a highly regulated industry, Gale says this summer has been all about precision and compliance – even when it comes to planning her next social media post.

She is quick is reflect on the summer of learning and growth – one that she says began right here at Hope. While taking a Marketing Practicum course with Professor Jackie Nickel, she first became connected with branch as part of the client project. From there, she was able to explore opportunities and secure the internship position.

Thanks for allowing us to share in your journey, Gale!

08/17/2026

Come along for the day with Bella Mast (’28), a business and psychology major who says that working as a Human Resources Intern at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa has made for the best summer experience she could have asked for.

It’s a role that has given her the opportunity to try her hand at many things: creating benefits packages for new hires, updating job descriptions, training staff, mediating conflicts, overcoming cultural differences and even navigating the process of hiring seasonal employees on H-2B and J-1 visas.

Working at such a large organization has provided exposure to the vast array of roles that are critical to the hospitality industry. From marketing professionals to accountants, front desk agents to banquet servers, Bella has enjoyed a behind-the-scenes look at what makes one of Michigan’s largest destination resorts run so smoothly. She even gets to work alongside other interns on a project simulating running their own hotel and attend panel discussions led by resort leaders.

Behind every project and task, she has been grateful to be part of a tight-knit team that promotes a positive and motivated work environment. That’s why you’ll often find Bella going the extra mile planning events like staff movie night. Because in the end, it’s the people who make all the difference.

Reflecting on the summer, she is thankful for the learning and experiences she has gained in the HR role.

“Finding an internship can be stressful, but jump for as many opportunities as you can and trust that God will open the right door,” she says.

It’s neat to see how you’ve thrived in this opportunity, Bella!

08/11/2026

Meet Caleb Clinger (’27), a business major who is spending his summer as a Credit Analyst at Mercantile Bank. As part of his internship experience, he is taking part in an 8-week credit college designed to take a deep dive on cash flow, collateral and guarantor support.

The course is a key step for Caleb as he prepares for work in commercial lending. After completing credit college, he will be spending his final weeks of summer working alongside a full-time analyst as they conduct thorough assessments of client financial information.

But even beyond the technical experience, Caleb says this internship is also about staying curious, asking good questions and building relationships. That’s why much of his role this summer has also been about people.

Whether it’s networking with colleagues, checking in with other Hope students and alumni employed at the bank or simply having fun over an after-work game of pickleball, Caleb says it’s so important to connect with those around you.

Caleb, it’s so exciting to see not only your work, but also your community. Thanks for showing us around!

08/06/2026

Recently, our faculty gathered for a research workshop – an opportunity to share ongoing work, gather feedback and spur continued excellence in scholarship. Not only are our faculty invested teachers and mentors, but they also generate knowledge in their scholarly areas of expertise, applying it to a variety of topics ranging from the global economy to the everyday human experience, and often at the intersection with the Christian faith.

Learning from each other in an interdisciplinary setting – including student research collaborators and faculty in accounting, business and economics – is one core element of our academic community in the Department of Economics and Business, and a significant opportunity for our faculty to live out their callings as supportive colleagues, recognized thought leaders and faithful Christians.

07/28/2026

This summer, Hailey Baker (‘27) is not only building knowledge and skills, she’s also helping to give back. As a Community Partnerships & Giving Intern at Meijer, she’s getting an inside look at one of West Michigan’s largest companies while witnessing the incredible impact they are making in the communities that they serve.

She’s working each day on a strategic project to strengthen food bank partnerships, ultimately supporting Meijer’s commitment to serving communities that face food insecurity. Through analyzing data, collaborating with internal and external partners, and building a playbook, she is helping to shape Meijer’s hunger relief efforts.

Hailey says the role is all about developing ideas and recommendations, improving engagement and ultimately making an impact. It has also allowed her to learn more about food banks and their critical mission to distribute food to those who need it most.

For Hailey, it’s an experience that has sparked a passion for Philanthropy and serving communities.

And speaking of community, she’s thankful for her community right here at Hope too. It’s how she first became connected to Meijer and an incredible mentor, Beth Snyder, who encouraged her to apply for the internship program.

“Surround yourself with people who challenge and inspire you,” Hailey says. “You never know how those relationships might shape the next step in your career.”

Thanks, Hailey, for inspiring us with a look into the incredible work you’re part of!

07/21/2026

For Carter Goodyke, a junior with a double major in economics and business, curiosity is key. As a Global Trade Intern supporting supply chain at Amway this summer, he’s gaining a wide range of insights into the broader business world.

He’s using trade data and his understanding of tariff classifications and free trade agreements to bring value, but he’s also gaining an appreciation for how cross-functional teams can tackle even the most complex challenges.

Carter is grateful for how this rich experience is building a strong foundation for him in the supply chain field. While global trade wasn’t initially on his radar when he first came to college, he says that networking and building relationships can help one think about career paths that might have otherwise been missed.

“Building genuine connections with professionals can provide valuable insights, help you learn about different career paths, and open doors to opportunities you may not have otherwise discovered. Staying curious and being willing to explore roles outside your original plan can lead to valuable experiences and help shape your career interests,” he said.

Thanks for giving us a glimpse into your internship role, Carter! We are excited to see where this journey continues to take you!

07/13/2026

In honor of our country's 250th year, we’re celebrating alumni, business leaders and innovators who are making a difference across America.

We’re starting with Hope College Alum Randy Cross, someone who says the journey is all about helping people thrive and grow. As a 1992 business graduate, Randy remembers his own growth during his years as a student at Hope.

Now serving as the President of Fish Window Cleaning Services, the largest window cleaning franchise in the country, Randy is quick to remember how his faith was formed right here at Hope. In the years since, it has been faith that guided his every step. That’s why, when God presented him with an opportunity to become a franchisee for Fish Window Cleaning after 10+ years in computer sales and purchasing, Randy followed.

Fish Window Cleaning, named after the Christian fish symbol, was a place where Randy could fully live into his beliefs and callings in many ways. After years of hard work building his own West Michigan franchise, Randy was called upon to head up the corporate operations in St. Louis in 2014.

Honoring God and family is a top priority for the firm, and providing a franchising model is one of the key ways that Fish Window Cleaning allows business owners to do just that. By coming alongside franchisees with long-proven systems and processes, Randy says the company is able to provide them with a platform for success and growth (without sacrificing the dream of business ownership).

It’s something that brings Randy joy in his work every day, and has even brought him to Washington D.C. many times in recent years. Serving as a board member of the International Franchise Association, Randy has testified before Congress and even met personally with Vice President JD Vance as he advocates for the power of franchising.

And whether he’s sharing his story in the Capitol, mentoring up-and-coming franchisees, or even leaning into the lives of current Hope students, Randy’s love for helping others grow and thrive is always at the forefront.

07/07/2026

Come along for the day with Evan Morrison ('27), a business major spending his summer as a Marketing Strategy & Analytics Intern at Gordon Food Service!

This summer, Evan is learning how marketing and data analytics work together to support business decisions. His role directly supports the Limson Imports & Commodities team, helping to identify trends and expand digital presence.

Evan says he has enjoyed learning from experienced professionals, meeting new people and experiencing Gordon Food Service’s collaborative and welcoming culture. Even beyond the technical skills and knowledge, it’s the experience of building relationships, asking questions and adapting in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment that stands out to him.

His advice for other students pursuing a role like this one? Be open to learning and don’t be afraid to highlight experiences outside of the classroom. Having a mix of marketing experience (including in-class client projects he worked on at Hope!) – combined with prior work running his own business – equipped him with just the right balance of creativity and analytical thinking for this role.

So exciting to see your work, Evan!