Exploring Community Roots and Career Growth: One Poole Student’s Journey With a Rural Works Internship

For many college students, summer internships mean heading to bustling cities filled with opportunity and resources. For senior Meredith Dellinger, a student from Mitchell County, North Carolina, her high-impact experience summer was rooted a bit closer to home.

Through NC State’s Rural Works Internship Program, she found a way to contribute to her hometown community while gaining valuable business experience at Bark House, a local business known for its unique regenerative manufacturing process.

Dellinger’s decision to pursue this rural internship was deeply personal. “I have lived in this county my entire life and have always had a passion for it,” she shares. “I knew that I wanted to come back home this past summer, but I didn’t want it to be a hindrance to my future career.”

Through a collaboration between the Rural Works program and Bark House, Dellinger was able to merge her academic pursuits with her love for her community, something she hopes to continue beyond graduation.

“People from rural communities are such hard workers, yet do not necessarily have all the resources available to them that other places may have,” she says. “My goal has always been to use my college experience and knowledge to then come back and benefit my rural community.”

In her role at Bark House, Dellinger’s typical day began with emails and desk work, but was filled with dynamic opportunities to engage in the business processes she’s studying in Poole College.

“While at my desk, I worked on social media drafts, created spec sheets, documented sales and responded to emails,” she says. One highlight for Dellinger was guiding local teachers on a tour of the manufacturing facility, where she introduced them to Bark House’s regenerative manufacturing process. This experience gave her insight into how businesses in rural communities can support and uplift each other, a concept she’s eager to explore further.

Through her internship, Dellinger gained practical skills in communication and adaptability. She noted the importance of being teachable and unafraid to to ask questions — a mindset that will serve her well as she moves forward in her studies and career. “This internship influenced me to learn how to work on my own, but also to not be scared to ask questions,” she says. “This will benefit me in the future by having more confidence in myself to get work done, but also to understand that I don’t have to know everything in an academic or professional atmosphere.”

“Find where your passion lies and follow that passion”

Working with Bark House founders Chris and Marty McCurry was especially meaningful for Dellinger. Their guidance and willingness to share insights into the business process left a lasting impression on her, as did the mentorship from Samuel Sanger, rural outreach coordinator at NC State, who ensured Dellinger was placed in a role that aligned with her goals. This support network made a big difference in her experience and helped her maximize her time with Bark House.

For Dellinger, her summer internship was a glimpse of what it means to grow and thrive professionally in a rural community. She encourages other students to consider opportunities outside of urban centers, where passion and hard work can lead to fulfilling career paths.

“Find where your passion lies and follow that passion,” she advises. “If there’s a resource you need to reach your goals, don’t be afraid to ask for help, and be willing to step out of your comfort zone because that’s where you can grow the most.”

Through her Rural Works experience, Dellinger gained skills and confidence that she’ll carry forward into her academic and professional journey. More importantly, she reconnected with her roots and reinforced her commitment to supporting rural communities — a commitment that she will carry with her as she takes the next steps in her career.

Looking for a paid summer internship similar to Meredith’s? Gain hands-on experience while making a difference next summer in a rural community with the Business HIRE (High-Impact Rural Experience) program, a collaboration between Rural Works and Poole College of Management. Applications are due by Nov. 24.