Truman Looks to Expand Internship Opportunities with New Director Position

In an effort to bolster opportunities for students, Truman hired Kim Sprought to serve as director of internships.

Sprought has been tasked with enhancing, facilitating and promoting meaningful internships and enriching career-related experiences for Truman students. She will collaborate with students, faculty, employers, alumni and other stakeholders to create and sustain a diverse range of internship programs and external partnerships that support Truman’s mission and the career development of students.

“Internships are an invaluable component of a student’s education because they provide practical experience that can’t always be gained in the classroom,” Sprought said. “They allow students to apply their academic knowledge in real-world settings, develop professional networks and gain clarity about their career paths. Employers increasingly value candidates who have internship experience, so participating in one can make students more competitive in the job market after graduation.”

Much of Sprought’s career has been dedicated to developing systems and programs that enhance student career outcomes. She comes to Truman having most recently served as director of the Dyson Career Management Center in the SC Johnson College of Business at Cornell University. She was previously the associate director of experiential programs and professional development at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology.

In addition to managing existing internship programs, Sprought will seek to build partnerships in key metro areas including Kansas City, St. Louis, Columbia, Jefferson City, Chicago and Washington, D.C. This should help strengthen enrollment, retention and post-graduate placement in those markets, as well as develop alumni, governmental and corporate networks.  

“My role is to support and guide the development of internships, and there is a lot of flexibility in what an internship can look like. It’s not one-size-fits-all, and we’re working to create opportunities that meet the diverse needs of our students,” Sprought said. “My goal is to ensure that every student who wants an internship has access to quality opportunities that align with their career aspirations.”

Because much of her work will involve collaborating with external partners, Sprought will operate in a hybrid capacity. Remote work will take place as needed, and she will work out of the Academic Affairs Office when on campus. In addition to fostering relations with employers, Sprought will coordinate with faculty and staff to create opportunities.

“Internships are a partnership between students, faculty and employers. My role is to facilitate and strengthen these relationships to ensure that everyone benefits from the experience,” Sprought said. “I’m excited to collaborate with the Truman community to build a robust, impactful program that prepares students for their careers.”

While Sprought plans to interact with students through informational sessions, most of the direct, one-on-one student services will be provided by the Career Center.

Sprought began her duties at Truman, Sept. 30. She can be reached via email at ksprought@truman.edu.