Finding Balance: Managing Work and Life as a College Student Interning in Baldwin County

May 2024

Hello, everyone! My name is Kate Bezeredi, and I am a marketing intern with the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance and a junior at Mississippi State University studying Integrated Digital Marketing. As a born and raised Baldwin County native, I always knew this was my forever home and where I wanted to start my professional career. To me, Baldwin County isn’t just a place to work – it’s a place to live, thrive, and find that elusive balance between career and leisure. My favorite way to spend my time off is exploring, eating, and shopping, so here are my recommendations so you, too, can achieve work-life balance in Baldwin County! 

Let’s jump into my favorite activities in Baldwin County. I have always been a lover of the outdoors, and it just so happens that Baldwin County is home to some very picturesque settings. I love to go biking in Gulf State Park down their 28-mile trail. This trail goes through nine different ecosystems and connects Gulf Shores to Orange Beach. It is the perfect way to get a good workout while enjoying the gorgeous scenery. I cannot talk about my favorite activities without mentioning our famous beaches. White sand for miles and crystal-clear water makes Baldwin County’s beaches some of the best in the country. I love to grab a good beach read and sit in a chair for hours listening to the waves. I am guilty of hopping on the pickleball train, which is convenient because Baldwin County is home to 40+ pickleball courts all over the county. The Track in Gulf Shores, Tortuga Adventure glow-in-the-dark mini-golf in Spanish Fort, and the many art festivals year-round, such as Arts and Crafts in Fairhope, make Baldwin County a hub of activity! 

Of course, no discussion of work-life balance would be complete without mentioning everyone’s favorite pastime – eating! Baldwin County is a foodie’s paradise, boasting a diverse culinary landscape that caters to every palate and preference. If I am looking for some fresh seafood straight from the Gulf of Mexico, you will find me at Felix’s Fish Camp, located in Spanish Fort, AL. Felix’s, along with Sunset Pointe in Fairhope, AL, and Street’s Seafood in Bay Minette, AL, are award-winning restaurants for the quality of seafood and how they utilize fresh catches. If it’s date night and you want to get all dressed up, I would recommend checking out Local and Company in Foley, AL, or Food Craft in Gulf Shores, AL. Both locations offer delicious upscale meals and a romantic vibe. Want a view while you eat? Then, you need to check out Boudreaux’s in Daphne, AL, or The Gulf in Orange Beach, AL. Both spots offer some good bites while taking in the gorgeous scenery. The food is awesome, but it is the coffee scene that makes Baldwin County stand out. It seems that every corner has a trendy coffee shop that serves equally delicious coffee. Want a picture of fabulous coffee that’ll be good for your Instagram? If so, stop by The Drowsy Poet in Foley, AL, Southern Grind in Orange Beach, or Press and Co. in Daphne, AL. All three of these coffee shops have aesthetics, everything from couches to wall art, that would make any influencer stop and take a picture. My two personal favorite cups of joe come from Refuge in Fairhope, AL, or Sweet Home Coffee in Robertsdale, AL. I recommend a lavender latte at both locations to let the smooth espresso shine! 

If I haven’t spent all my money on food or coffee yet, the rest would be spent shopping at all the local shops and boutiques. The Tanger Outlets in Foley, AL, is home to H&M, Aerie, Kate Spade, and lots of other stores that could fill your whole day with shopping. Some of my favorite local shops include Pink Velvet in Spanish Fort, AL, Christina Lynn’s in Fairhope, AL, and Wildflowers Boutique in Orange Beach, AL. All these locations offer jewelry and clothing pieces that are to die for, all while being locally owned! 

Ultimately, all these exciting activities, restaurants, and shops are a great way to spend my free time as an intern. However, what makes Baldwin County the best place to live is the people and their Southern hospitality. The community here makes Baldwin County the clear choice for where I wanted to intern and hopefully start my professional career! Here’s to finding balance, chasing dreams, and savoring every moment along the way. Welcome to Baldwin County – where work and life are in perfect harmony. 

– Kate Bezeredi

Intern, Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance

Student, Mississippi State University 

If you’re looking for an internship in Baldwin County, check out our Internship page.