GRAMBLING, La. – May 18, 2021 – Mikayla Jackson, a rising junior at Grambling State University, has been awarded an internship with State Farm in the claims management area.
“I’m looking forward to representing Grambling State University well in my upcoming internship,” she said. “I’m excited to be an example and show the business capabilities of an HBCU student. My studies have prepared me to make a positive impact in the State Farm workspace.”
The computer information systems major applied for State Farm’s national 2021 Summer Claims Internship posting in December 2020. The company was seeking college sophomores majoring in liberal arts, marketing, business, management, or finance who would want to convert to full-time positions after multiple internships. Applicants had to have a minimum grade point average of 3.0, submit a resume, and undergo a series of pre-interview coaching sessions and a recorded interview.
The Monroe, Louisiana native was awarded the paid internship which includes an additional stipend. In April, she was featured in two nationwide company meetings highlighting HBCU students who were selected for the internships.
Jackson credits Dr. Sharon Johnson and Dr. Karl Norman, who taught fundamentals of business and public speaking courses, respectively, among others for preparing her to enter the stringent process with confidence. She said business communication instructor Susan Wiley taught her a lot about business etiquette and procedures.
“Mikayla has distinguished herself as a very conscientious, goal-oriented, meticulous, and engaged student leader,” Wiley said. “She is also a critical thinker and problem solver; these are skills that I am sure she will use often as a claims management intern.”
She said that the State Farm internship will provide Jackson with valuable work experience and help to prepare her for permanent employment after graduation.
As an incoming freshman in the fall of 2019, Jackson was awarded the GSU Academic Achievement Award and was one of 10 inaugural recipients of the TechTour scholarship. She has not only maintained these awards but has excelled academically and has received honors recognition for the last three semesters.
Jackson has been selected to serve as a community assistant in GSU’s Office of Campus Living and Housing for the 2021-22 academic year and looks forward to joining other campus service and social organizations as the campus reopens post-pandemic.
She is the daughter of Tiffany and Milton Jackson who are alumni of Grambling State University.
About State Farm
State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent company of several affiliates and subsidiaries that provide property and life insurance, and financial services. State Farm is a mutual company that makes its primary focus its policyholders. Its more than 58,000 employees and more than 19,000 independent contractor agents service 83 million policies and accounts throughout the U.S.
About Grambling State University
Grambling State University, located in Grambling, Louisiana, is a historically black university founded in 1901. The University has been accredited by 13 accrediting associations and holds accreditations in all programs required by the Louisiana Board of Regents. The 590-acre campus offers 43 undergraduate and graduate academic programs. Grambling State University is a member of the University of Louisiana System. For more information, visit gram.edu.