Before pursuing medical school and a career in psychiatry, PennWest student Alex Keller is learning the importance of prevention in a different setting.

A native of Edinboro and graduate of General McLane School District, Keller is serving as a safety technician on the PennWest Edinboro campus while pursuing dual degrees in biology – pre-medical science and psychology, along with a minor in entrepreneurship.

Through the internship, Keller is gaining hands-on experience in fire safety, damage prevention and facilities operations while helping protect the campus community.

“Some of my responsibilities during this internship are fire extinguisher and AED audits, damage prevention and light maintenance work,” Keller said. “Every month, I move from building to building checking the conditions of the fire extinguishers and portable AEDs.”

In addition to preventative inspections, Keller assists with maintenance and repairs involving fire safety systems.

While the internship differs from the classroom setting, Keller says it has helped him strengthen communication and teamwork skills in ways he did not expect.

“In terms of coursework, I'm learning teamwork and communication in a one-on-one setting,” Keller said. “So many places teach skills in groups of people, but not many people learn how to work and depend on just one person at a time.”

He believes those interpersonal skills are valuable both personally and professionally.

“Being able to talk and hold a conversation with a single person is psychologically helpful to a person and learning how to do it without being anxious is extremely useful,” he said.

The experience has also given Keller insight into how organizations function.

 “Observing how roles, responsibilities and decision-making processes are organized has helped me better understand how organizations function on a day-to-day basis and how individuals contribute within that structure,” he said.

Keller believes internships provide students with the opportunity to test career interests and gain practical experience before entering the workforce.

“Completing an internship is valuable because it allows someone to explore a potential career path before fully committing to it,” he said. “When an internship aligns with a person’s interests, it provides an opportunity to gain hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of that field.”

He also noted the importance of building professional relationships and references that can benefit students throughout their careers.

After completing his bachelor's degree, Keller plans to continue his education at LECOM to pursue a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), followed by a four-year psychiatric residency.

For now, Keller is focused on maintaining a safe campus environment and making the most of an experience that is teaching him the value of communication, responsibility and preventative care – lessons that will continue to benefit him long after the summer ends.