Shaping and providing guidance to the next generation of professionals and leaders in the Midlands is a key part of the Columbia Chamber's mission. Through the Chamber's internship program, students are able to gain valuable insight into the Midlands business community and develop skills to help them succeed in the workplace. The Columbia Chamber provides our interns with experiences designed to strengthen their professional skills and instill in them a passion for enriching the community.

Anna Bennett is a junior Mass Communications & Honors College Student at the University of South Carolina and assists the Chamber with communications, marketing, and event planning. Anna hopes to attend law school in the future and specialize in media law. In her free time, Anna enjoys cooking homemade vegetarian meals and scouting out the best vegetarian-friendly restaurant spots in Columbia.

"Working at the Columbia Chamber of Commerce has given me the opportunity to apply the communication skills I have been developing in the classroom to real-world situations in the workplace. I've made invaluable connections to local leadership and expanded my professional network in ways that I couldn't have imagined. I am incredibly thankful for the wonderful mentorship the Columbia Chamber has provided and am excited to continue helping to build a thriving business community in the Midlands."

Matthew Goins is a sophomore Public Relations major with a concentration in Sports Media and a minor in Law and Society at the University of South Carolina. He is a member of the Bateman Team, a sportswriter for The Daily Gamecock, a member of the Public Relations Student Society of America, and a brother of Phi Kappa Tau.

Matthew serves as the Public Policy Intern for the Columbia Chamber. He hopes to attend law school or some form of graduate school, with the aspirations of either working in law, government affairs, corporate communications, or sports communications. Matthew is a former citizen and junior counselor of Palmetto Boys State.

In his spare time, he enjoys working out, playing golf, fishing, and watching his favorite sports teams.

"It is an incredible honor and opportunity to work at the Columbia Chamber of Commerce. This position allows me to apply everything I have learned while also allowing me to connect with and gather insight from the best leaders and business professionals in the region. I am proud to be a member of the team that is working to bring economic opportunity to a city that means so much to me."