Leadership Leverage

Ethan Linder ’20, Cloquet, Minn.
Major/Minor: Business-Organizational Leadership; Environmental Studies

Please tell us about your internship at Sanford Health.

I interned in community relations at Sanford in Fargo. My main role was to assist with Sanford’s United Way of Cass-Clay campaign. As an intern, I worked with around 60 employee-ambassadors from many different departments, clinics, and locations across the Sanford Fargo region. I assisted ambassadors in setting up and running fundraising events and talking about United Way to Sanford employees.

The internship allowed me to meet a ton of different people across the Fargo community. The community relations department attended and hosted Sanford-sponsored events in Fargo, so I met business leaders who attended those events. Overall, it was a great experience and provided me with a lot of connections in the community.

What was your favorite aspect of your internship at Sanford?

My favorite part was getting to see all the areas of Sanford and how it is run from different perspectives. I had the privilege to meet different types of employees in various departments – from dock workers to nurses to administration. Each employee had their own outlook on how Sanford is run and why they chose Sanford for their career. I also got to meet some Minnesota Vikings players and Carson Wentz, which was pretty cool.

What motivated you to get involved with Concordia’s Hockey Club?

Concordia’s Hockey Club has been around for many years. When I joined my freshman year, it was just a bunch of guys that played pick-up hockey in Fargo. When I took over as president my sophomore year, I wanted to make it more competitive. I talked to the club leaders at NDSU, UND, MSUM, UMD, etc., and just started planning games and practices. It became more successful as we continued, and last year we were in a league in Fargo and continued to play against MSUM. I hope the club continues to be competitive and for many years.

What do you enjoy about being a part of a student organization?

I really enjoy meeting new people and getting to know them. Being in a group allows me to connect and befriend those who share the same interests as me and create a community. It was a great way to get away from academics and do something that I love to do.

How has your campus involvement benefited you?

I think it has benefited me greatly. Athletics has provided me with a chance to work on my leadership skills with my peers. I think being in groups has helped me develop different skills and helped me become who I am in a way that a classroom can’t.

^{Published April 2020}