At St. Olaf, our advisors and career coaches connect students to a menu of 5,000+ internships, undergraduate research experiences, and other hands-on opportunities at a breadth of organizations ranging from nonprofits to Fortune 500 companies, often with the support of the Piper Center for Vocation and Career.
Below, current St. Olaf students share where their internships and research experiences are taking them. Are you an Ole with an experience of your own to share? Tell us about it here!
Calvin Keesler
Sports Performance Intern
Elon Sports Performance at Elon University in Elon, North Carolina
how did you get this internship or research opportunity?
I got this internship opportunity through St. Olaf’s Assistant AD for Athletic Performance, Coach John Waters. I interned with Coach Waters during the previous J-Term, and we both believed that in order for me to fully understand what it is like and what it takes to be a successful coach, I would need to experience the lifestyle and learn under some of the best. This is what landed me at Elon University.
How does this connect with the career path you're interested in?
This connects with the career path I am interested in because this internship gives me great insight into the many aspects of being a strength coach. Elon Sports Performance has an impressive track record of producing many knowledgeable, well-rounded, and high performing coaches. This is done through providing interns with many opportunities for success and autonomy in the weight room, the classroom, and by connecting interns with a multitude of other successful strength coaches nationally.
Boon Yang
Marketing Intern
Education First Marketing Intern Tokyo Office in Shibuya, Tokyo Japan
how did you get this internship or research opportunity?
The Japanese depart as St. Olaf has provided an opportunity for students to go to Japan to intern at a study abroad company.
How does this connect with the career path you're interested in?
I have always wanted to go to Japan to make correlation with the art courses that I’ve studied at St Olaf. This internship allowed me to visit memorable places and experience a new culture in new light. With the experience and exposure I received, I can understand a better connection between how the culture inspired my studies of Art History.
Jean Butler
Climate Resilience Fellow
Intern
Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Muesume Of Design in New York City, NY
how did you get this internship or research opportunity?
Meghan showed me the smithsonian Internship portal ane I applied there.
How does this connect with the career path you're interested in?
I have been interested in pursuing museum work or work that aims to make learning more accessible; this internship has allowed me to combine these two passions. Through this internship, I have reviewed exhibition plans, future museum labels, and educational content and helped interpret them to be more accessible to the public. Pursuing interpretation combines my interest in historical research, art history, and social science, and my writing tutor training.
Haylee Johnson
Undergraduate Researcher
Hong Kierkegaard Library and Søren Kierkegaard Research Center Partnership Program in Copenhagen, Denmark
how did you get this internship or research opportunity?
I got this opportunity by applying to do undergraduate research at the Søren Kierkegaard Research Center (SKC) in Copenhagen, Denmark. As a part of an interim trip (Kierkegaard in Copenhagen), I had the chance to visit the SKC at the University of Copenhagen. I started working on a research thesis once I got back to the States, sent it to the university, and the rest is history!
How does this connect with the career path you're interested in?
At St. Olaf, I study philosophy with a focus on Søren Kierkegaard. I am fascinated by his authorship and biography, and particularly the intersection between the two. My research focuses on this idea, as it highlights the relationship between his fictional texts, authorial methods and his failed engagement with his fiancé, Regine Olsen. After graduating from St. Olaf, I hope to attend a graduate program where I can continue to study Søren Kierkegaard. Ultimately, I would love to become a professor, so that I can continue to show others how influential his life and works are!
Aiden Kocian
Voice Fellow
Lutheran Summer Music Festival & Academy in Valparaiso, Indiana
how did you get this internship or research opportunity?
Professors at St. Olaf encouraged me to apply for the Bass Choral Fellow at Lutheran Summer Music because they had valuable professional experiences here and encouraged me to engage in it as a pre-professional experience for myself.
How does this connect with the career path you're interested in?
At the Lutheran Summer Music Festival I’ve been able to explore diverse styles of choral pedagogy, engage in weekly voice lessons with wonderful faculty, and have opportunities to lead sectionals and engage with the high school students that are studying here. This experiential learning serves me as I look forward towards a career in choral conducting and professional choral singing after St. Olaf.
Romina Soto-Solari
Program Coordinator
MacPhail Center of Music in Madeline Island, Wisconsin
how did you get this internship or research opportunity?
I found my summer job through talking to the Piper Center, more specifically Meghan McMillan. She saw the internship area that I was interested in, and helped me find related positions. Amongst the ideas she had, she found Madeline Island Chamber Music, which combined 3 passions that I have, music, management and nature. I get to spend this summer in Madeline Island, Wisconsin, and do arts management operations. I think Meghan really found a hidden gem, as I had never heard of the opportunity despite it being known throughout the country.
How does this connect with the career path you're interested in?
I am incredibly interested in arts management, more specifically orchestral managerial operations and chamber music operations. Working for a music festival during the summer would be my absolute dream career path, and I am more than grateful to be here. As the program coordinator, I get to foster and engage the Chamber Music Festival with the local community in Madeline Island and the Bayfield area.
Noah Faas
Data Engineering Intern
Edina, MN
how did you get this internship or research opportunity?
I applied through Handshake and was lucky enough to be chosen.
How does this connect with the career path you're interested in?
As someone who loves data and aspires to build a career in data science, this opportunity has been incredibly exciting for me, allowing me to jumpstart my career and gain hands-on experience with each component of the data lifecycle. I’ve gotten to work with everything from the databases where data is housed, to the pipelines that transport it, and finally to the dashboards and models that use the data to drive decision-making.
Ian Holtz-Hazeltine
Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
how did you get this internship or research opportunity?
I talked to Nathan Jacobi of the Piper Center about summer internship opportunities and he recommended that I look into REU programs. I looked through a lot of the open programs on the NSF website and found an interesting program offered by the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Iowa. The research projects aligned with my interests so I applied.
How does this connect with the career path you're interested in?
I want to pursue a PhD in microbiology, so this was the perfect opportunity for me. I’m interested in host-pathogen interactions, so working with viruses reinforced my desire to study infectious diseases in graduate school. Working in an academic research setting let me connect with so many PhD students and professors who all had great insights and advice on careers in academia. Overall, it was great for preparing for graduate school and an awesome growth experience.
Olga Zubarieva
Douglas and A. Yvonne Mendenhall Pharmaceutical Chemistry Research Fellow at University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas
how did you get this internship or research opportunity?
My academic and research advisor Professor Brezny shared this opportunity with me and I applied via their website and got an offer after completing an interview.
How does this connect with the career path you're interested in?
I want to pursue a PhD in Chemistry followed by either work in industry or academia. I enjoy research and I wanted to see if applications of Chemistry in a Pharmaceutics setting is what I’m interested in exploring even further during my PhD degree
Lara Oliveira Cutrim
IT Core Banking Intern at BTG Pactual
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
how did you get this internship or research opportunity?
I was made aware of this internship through a BRASA (Brazilian Students Association) post; this institution supports Brazilians studying abroad. I went through a couple of interview rounds, alone and in groups, where I talked about my previous experience in Computer Science and how I wanted to apply it to a real life context! It was pretty stressful to wait for the decision but it was rewarding to realize I would be interning in the biggest investment bank of Latin America.
How does this connect with the career path you're interested in?
I am a Computer Science major, so being a SWE intern at a bank’s IT division has been great for experiencing a work environment that blends technology with another area; in this case, investment funds. It has been incredible to experience a corporate workplace that uses the latest technology although not being a big tech company. We are actively creating technologies for other parts of the bank that maybe are not so tech savy, so we need to be clear and efficient to help them achieve their objectives.
Jordan Vickers
HEP Research Assistant at FermiLab
Batavia, Illinois and Lincoln, Nebraska
how did you get this internship or research opportunity?
I found this opportunity by looking for research opportunities for international students. I believe I found it posted on Pathways to science and noticed that the deadline was closing soon so I applied as soon as possible.
How does this connect with the career path you're interested in?
I am planning to pursue graduate studies in Physics or Applied Mathematics so I believe this experience gave me a better perspective on what research is like and what areas I would like to pursue. I am more familiar with working in a small group on projects so taking a more self-directed path has been eye opening and a time of constant growth with an array of ups and downs.
Emma Wieseler
Department of Energy Program Student at the Pacific Northwest National Library
Richland, Washington
how did you get this internship or research opportunity?
I saw an opportunity on Handshake to apply to a cancer research project and decided to throw my name in the ring. I had an interview with the lab’s PI (an Olaf alum!) after the application and then was offered the opportunity to join the lab for the summer.
How does this connect with the career path you're interested in?
I am interested in pursuing medicine, particularly with an integrative and translational focus on clinical work and research. Working on a lymphoma project in this lab for the summer, I had the opportunity to develop new wet lab skills, gain experience with academic practices, and learn about the mechanisms behind diseases and their treatments. Each of these areas will be directly connected to my prospective career in the medical field!
Otto Schmidt
Engineering Intern at Consulting Engineers Group
Lakeville, Minnesota
how did you get this internship or research opportunity?
This summer I am working as an intern at Consulting Engineers Group (CEG) in Lakeville, Minnesota engineering Battery Energy Storage Systems. I got this internships through connections in the St. Olaf physics department who has a strong relationship with the battery team at CEG.
How does this connect with the career path you're interested in?
Passionate about the transition to renewable energy to address the climate crisis, this internship allows me the opportunity to implement sustainable change through expanding my skills in engineering, physics, collaboration, and consulting as well as developing connections in the industry.
Jane Spading
Camp Counselor at CAMP ANDY Clinical Internship
Seattle, Washington
how did you get this internship or research opportunity?
I was interested in finding research/an internship working with children with neurodevelopmental disabilities. I used Linkedin!
How does this connect with the career path you're interested in?
I am on a pre-medicine track and am interested in working in developmental pediatrics. The first two weeks of this internship involved a didactic session learning from specialists from UW Autism Center. For the next five weeks, I will be working as a counselor for this summer treatment program where I will be working with 6-7 year olds with autism/adhd/other neurodevelopmental disorders. I will teach them social skills and sport skills. I am on the women’s tennis team so I am able to use my athletic skills with them. This internship is allowing me to collaborate with medical students who are also interested in pediatrics on research projects involving the data we will be collecting over the term of the summer treatment program.
Emily Galo-Castellanos
Cross-Cultural Health Internship at Concordia Language Villages
Moorhead + Bemidji, MN
how did you get this internship or research opportunity?
I discovered this internship through the Asian Studies department at St. Olaf.
How does this connect with the career path you're interested in?
I am interested in both East Asian languages and how the body works. This internship is an excellent starting point for me to explore possible career paths after graduation.
Kalle Munger
Sports Therapy Intern at Training Haus, Twin Cities Orthopedics
Eagan, Minnesota
how did you get this internship or research opportunity?
I had prior connections within Training Haus and applied for the internship online.
How does this connect with the career path you're interested in?
I am very interested in pursuing a career in sports medicine and physical therapy, and this internship was a fantastic opportunity to immerse myself in an exceptional clinic setting and help athletes return from injury.
Jordan Menz
Physical Therapy Intern at
Wieber Physical Therapy
& Chiropractic Intern at Family Chiropractic Wellness
Faribault, Minnesota & Lakeville Minnesota
how did you get this internship or research opportunity?
I was able to gain access to these amazing experiences through some of my own research, but more so, generous recommendations from staff! As a kinesiology major, I communicate with department chair Cindy Book often, and when I reached out to see if there was any work available, she checked for me and found something I could do after talking with Wieber Physical Therapy in Fairbault! From there, I coordinated with the clinic directly, but was able to get my foot in the door because of Cindy. Similarly, for Family Chiropractic and Wellness in Lakeville, I was suggested by Marietta Ruppe, one of the Piper Center Career Coaches whom I work for and with. She mentioned having gone to FCW in the past and loving it! Also, she thought my supervisor Dr. Jake and I would get along well because of our similar interests.
How does this connect with the career path you're interested in?
I am interested in the healthcare field and have narrowed down my search to a few options, of those being physical therapy and chiropractic! I know I want to work with people and help them return to their daily activities, whether those be sport, work, or hobby related. Whatever I can do to get them feeling better! I’ve also worked with both physical therapists and chiropractors in the past as a patient and have loved the care that I received, so I would love to be able to give that back!
Emma Sahly
Lab Science Student at Mayo Clinic
Rochester, Minnesota
how did you get this internship or research opportunity?
I found this internship through talking to a family friend who went to St. John’s and did it a few years ago. I applied just to throw myself out there and was placed in the Infectious Disease Serology lab which has been a fantastic experience so far!
How does this connect with the career path you're interested in?
This internship has been eye-opening because it’s my first time getting to see what a clinical lab looks like and how it operates. It’s been really cool to see what goes on behind the scenes because there is so much work that goes into getting results for patients quickly and accurately. I am interested in working in healthcare in a research or development role and Mayo Clinic has done a great job of showing me just how many different careers are possible for me.
Vianca Dubravcic
Clinical Lab Work Study – Summer Lab Science Program
Rochester, Minnesota
how did you get this internship or research opportunity?
I first saw this opportunity in Handshake. I applied through Mayo Clinic directly. The Piper Center coaches and my professors were very helpful with giving me feedback for personal statements, writing recommendation letters, and giving me general advice.
How does this connect with the career path you're interested in?
I’ve always been interested in healthcare and science, especially the experimental part. As a chemistry major, I sought ways to connect my healthcare and laboratory interests. This internship allows me to combine both and teaches me valuable skills to further apply to a biomedical research or clinical chemistry career.
Alyssa Schumacher
Genetic Counseling Intern at Minnesota Department of Health-Newborn Screening Unit
St. Paul, Minnesota
how did you get this internship or research opportunity?
I asked my Intro to Public Health professor, Mary Beth Kuehn, if she knew of any internships in Public Health or Genetic Counseling. She connected me with the lead Genetic Counselor of the MDH Newborn Screening department who offered me a position!
How does this connect with the career path you're interested in?
I am interested in Pediatric and Prenatal Genetic Counseling, so this internship is perfectly suited to offer me experience in that space.
Olivia Karlen
Dental Assistant at More Smile Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
how did you get this internship or research opportunity?
Last summer, I obtained my Dental Assisting Technical Degree from Madison College. Through connections from that program, I was encouraged to apply as a Dental Assistant at More Smiles Wisconsin!
How does this connect with the career path you're interested in?
Working with More Smiles, a non-profit dental clinic dedicated to providing access to quality dental care for the underserved in Wisconsin, directly connects with my career path in dentistry. By assisting experienced dentists in various dental procedures, I gain invaluable hands-on experience and practical skills that are crucial for my future profession. This opportunity not only aligns with my career goals but also allows me to contribute to a cause I am passionate about—improving dental health in underserved communities.
Ava Craven
Research Intern
MAPS Station
Dakota County, Minnesota
how did you get this internship or research opportunity?
I had done some bird banding with Professor Peterson this fall through BIO 150 and thought it was super neat. When I saw that it was CURI project this summer I applied and was lucky enough to get a spot.
How does this connect with the career path you're interested in?
I have been interested in ornithology for a while so this was a great opportunity to build on that interest. I am also planning to go to graduate school for science communications or something related to wildlife ecology. I am interested in pursuing a career focused on making science and specifically environmental science more accessible/approachable to everyone. This could be through teaching, research, non-profit outreach, literally so much. This position has confirmed for me how much I love the outdoors and how interested I am in learning more about it everyday- especially birds.
Jenna Halverson
CURI Researcher at St. Olaf College
Northfield, Minnesota
how did you get this internship or research opportunity?
I applied online!
How does this connect with the career path you're interested in?
I am still thinking about what I want to pursue – CURI has helped me understand what research could be like as a career!
Cecelia Kivell
CURI Researcher at St. Olaf College
Northfield, Minnesota
how did you get this internship or research opportunity?
I first heard about CURI from other Oles sharing their experiences from the program in years past, and thought it would be a good fit for me. I found the project I was most excited about decided to apply! I just so happened that I also knew the professor leading the research very well from multiple environmental studies classes, so I knew that we would make a great research team.
How does this connect with the career path you're interested in?
Our CURI project this summer is focusing on prairie restoration efforts within a changing climate. As a biology and environmental studies major, I’ve always been super excited about outdoor conservation and restoration work, and CURI has given me great field experience and exposure to the research and conservation process.
Olivia Chapman
CURI Researcher at St. Olaf College
Northfield, Minnesota
how did you get this internship or research opportunity?
I had been working with our professor on a similar research project during the academic year and applied to CURI to continue our work through the summer!
How does this connect with the career path you're interested in?
Post-Olaf, I’m planning to pursue further opportunities in habitat restoration research. This field of study had been an interest of mine for a while, but working on this research project has turned interest into passion. Through this opportunity, I’ve not only gained practical research skills, but also invaluable insight and direction for a possible future in the field.
Brooke Ellis
Goat Island Marine Discovery Center Intern at the Goat Island Marine Discovery Center/University of Auckland
Leigh, New Zealand
how did you get this internship or research opportunity?
Last spring, while studying abroad with Environmental Science in Australia and New Zealand (ESANZ), our group had the incredible opportunity to visit the Goat Island Marine Reserve and Laboratory in Leigh, New Zealand. As New Zealand’s first and oldest marine reserve, Goat Island created a lasting impression on me. Witnessing the impactful work conducted at the marine laboratory further fueled my passion for marine science, and I knew I wanted to be part of it. Taking the initiative, I approached the presenters after the lecture and asked about internship opportunities for the future. They were enthusiastic and agreed to have me join them as an intern in May.
Determined to return to Leigh, I maintained close contact with the individuals at Goat Island. I began seeking ways to finance this opportunity and, with support from my advisor Paul Jackson, the Piper Center, and the Johnson Family Opportunity fund, I secured the financial assistance needed to turn this dream into a reality. Upon completing my study abroad experience, I flew directly from Brisbane, Australia to Auckland, New Zealand to embark on the next chapter of my journey as a marine scientist.
How does this connect with the career path you're interested in?
During this internship, I have gained valuable hands-on experience in the field, which has significantly contributed to my personal growth and professional development as a marine biologist. Through this opportunity, I have had the privilege to connect with professionals worldwide and expand my network within the scientific community. Furthermore, the skills and knowledge that I am currently learning will be instrumental as I pursue graduate school to obtain my PhD in marine biology.
Grace Bielefeldt
Summer Intern at the Asian Rural Institute
Nasushiobara, Japan
How did you get this internship or research opportunity?
St. Olaf has been sending students to the Asian Rural Institute for over 10 years! I heard about their long and close partnership via an email from the Piper Center, and eagerly applied.
How does this connect with the career path you're interested in?
II am exploring careers in government, finance, or law, and I feel that this is a great opportunity to learn some practical skills, engage with a global community, and explore totally different ways of life and perspectives. I have been granted many opportunities to learn from other people as well as to critically reflect on my own country and experiences.
Sophia Kormann
Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) Intern at Oregon State University
Benton County, Oregon
How did you get this internship or research opportunity?
I am an REU intern at Oregon state this summer studying grey whale foraging ecologyz I found the application online and my advisor helped guide me through filling it out and gave me advice and tips for the interview.
How does this connect with the career path you're interested in?
It is a great mix of stats and biology! It allows me to apply all of the skills of learned in my stats classes to real data in collecting in the field.
Evgenia Roth
Avian Field Work and Environmental Education Intern at Carpenter Nature Center
Hastings, Minnesota
How did you get this internship or research opportunity?
I had visited Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center in the past to go hiking, but I had never attended the educational programs. I had a family friend who connected me to the director, and then I applied to become an environmental education and avian field work intern. After starting this job, I have been excited to share my love of nature with visitors, coworkers, and students of all ages attending programs.
How does this connect with the career path you're interested in?
In this internship, I am able to work with animals that are unable to be released back into the wild due to injuries or life histories. I am interested in becoming a conservation marine biologist, so having animal handling experience has been very exciting for me. Another part of my job is to learn how to complete bird banding and nano-tagging. As I hope to work in research, learning to work with a team to complete long-term and large scale projects has been very helpful. I am very passionate about protecting native environments, and I am happy that I get to share my joy when I teach camps or assist in outreach programs. I believe that this internship will teach me skills invaluable to becoming a research biologist.
Rachel Du Four
Summer Social Media Fellow at St. Olaf College
Northfield, Minnesota
How did you get this internship or research opportunity?
i asked my boss.
How does this connect with the career path you're interested in?
Social media marketing has been an interest of mine for many years and I have been working with St. Olaf Marketing and Communications for most of my time at St. Olaf. This internship is helping me expand my knowledge about social media strategy while enhancing my skills in content creation, content planning, video production, and editing.
Jade Estling
Archaeological Excavator at Archaeological Research Internship in Antiochia ad Cragum
Gasipaşa, Turkey
How did you get this internship or research opportunity?
I applied to the Archeology in Turkey program through St. Olaf.
How does this connect with the career path you're interested in?
I am a Sociology/Anthropology and Political Science double major, and archeology has a lot to do with anthropology. This internship will allow me to get hands on experience in an anthropology field.
Stella Ross
The Paid Student Internship Program Summer for the U.S. Department of State
Washington, D.C.
How did you get this internship or research opportunity?
The Paid Student Internship Program Summer for the U.S. Department of State is posted on USAJobs in early fall for only two weeks. I filled out the long application with multiple essay response questions and I must of fit the criteria of what they were looking for this summer since they offered me a position. I think what aided me the most was my Study Abroad experience in Morocco, since the MENA region and Arabic speaking students are highly sought after for the Bureau I was selected for. I also believe that our international professors in the Economic Department influenced my interests in international economic policies.
How does this connect with the career path you're interested in?
I’ve been interested in DoS since I was young because my grandfather (St. Olaf alum) was a diplomat. Having an economic background I wanted to see how international policy was influenced by congressional funding. I have also been interested in the governmental side of economics to compare it to businesses in the private sector.
Greta Lindberg
Legislative Intern at U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C.
How did you get this internship or research opportunity?
I visited the Rayburn House Office Building last summer, and I was so inspired by the amount of young people working for Congress. I decided to write a letter to my Representative’s office about my interest shortly after my trip, and I connected with the Executive Assistant. I am so glad that I decided to put myself out there and express my interest because it opened the door to so many incredible opportunities!
How does this connect with the career path you're interested in?
I am studying Public Health Policy, and I have been able to watch policymaking in action through watching House or Senate Hearings, researching new policies, and networking with a handful of Legislative staffers. I came into my Internship hoping to focus on health, but I have thoroughly enjoyed being able to branch out to other issue areas. I had the incredible opportunity to sit in on a House Hearing on my first day with Dr. Anthony Fauci as the testifier, and I hope to continue to have opportunities like these this summer!
Charlie Knieff
Archival Processing Intern at the University of Minnesota Archives and Special Collections
Minneapolis, Minnesota
How did you get this internship or research opportunity?
This past February, my supervisor in the St. Olaf Special Collections and Archives (shout out to Jillian!) invited me to a zine making workshop at the Northfield Public Library. One of the hosts of this workshop was the curator of the Tretter Collection, Aiden Bettine. We talked about my time in the St. Olaf Archives and my interest in archival work, and after I told him I was looking for a summer archival internship he invited me to apply for a summer working within the Tretter Collection.
How does this connect with the career path you're interested in?
This past February, my supervisor in the St. Olaf Special Collections and Archives (shout out to Jillian!) invited me to a zine making workshop at the Northfield Public Library. One of the hosts of this workshop was the curator of the Tretter Collection, Aiden Bettine. We talked about my time in the St. Olaf Archives and my interest in archival work, and after I told him I was looking for a summer archival internship he invited me to apply for a summer working within the Tretter Collection.
Roaya Ghuneim
Legal and Research Intern at the University of St. Thomas School of Law
Minneapolis, Minnesota
How did you get this internship or research opportunity?
Through the Svoboda Legal Program
How does this connect with the career path you're interested in?
This internship provided a set of valuable skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, client-interaction and analytical skills. I am very interested in consulting, but I believe that that I can apply those skills to any future career, regardless of the path I take.
Lily Spoerke
Summer Intern / Paralegal Assistance at Miller Stratvert P.A.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
How did you get this internship or research opportunity?
I used connections I made with attorneys during a high school project.
How does this connect with the career path you're interested in?
I want to be an attorney when I’m older and this internship allowed me to shadow attorneys, paralegals, legal assistants, and even do work for attorneys and work of a paralegal.
Hannah Gaff
Immigration Paralegal Intern at the The Immigration Project
Normal, Illinois
How did you get this internship or research opportunity?
After being a part of the Public Affairs Conversations courses, I was able to apply to their internship funding program. This program gave me the ability to have a summer internship in a position that would otherwise be unpaid, and not feasible for me. The opportunity led me to a deeply meaningful legal nonprofit organization in my home community of Normal, Illinois. Given the opportunity of an internship in public affairs, I contacted legal and social service connection from my hometown, all of which pointed me to The Immigration Project. I was accepted as an intern doing legal work with a DOJ accredited paralegal to work on Immigration cases.
How does this connect with the career path you're interested in?
Interning in legal services at The Immigration Project has given me the ability to broaden and better understand my interests in potential career paths. It has grown my interest in developing my Spanish skills as well as working in public affairs, nonprofits, legal work, and specifically Immigration law. I went into the internship knowing that law and public policy were high interests of mine, and have been able to truly refine what I am interested in through emersion in the field, experience from my fellow interns, and conversations with legal staff.
Piper Berg
Summer Intern at LCS and Partners Attorneys at Law of Taiwan and Foreign Legal Affairs
Taipei, Taiwan
How did you get this internship or research opportunity?
My internship is at LCS and Partners. Funny story actually, my friend’s mom’s middle school classmate’s coworker was my sponsor for an interview. I made it through the interview, and so I went.
How does this connect with the career path you're interested in?
I’m an economics major but my internship is at a law office. However, there is major overlap in between finance and law, so it has been a great experience seeing how it all works together.
Annan Grace
Business Analyst Intern at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis
Minneapolis, Minnesota
How did you get this internship or research opportunity?
I applied through the Handshake platform, and I then had a couple of interviews following. The internship is titled “Business Analyst” Intern at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.
How does this connect with the career path you're interested in?
The Federal Reserve Bank is central to both of my majors, economics and political science, with its focus on price stability and maximum employment. The Bank’s Board of Governors in D.C. also collaborates closely with the government and Congress. This connection aligns with my interests in economic and public policy analysis and public service.
Blue Muyunda Nawa
Book and Media Participating Student at the New York University Summer Publishing Institute
New York, New York
How did you get this internship or research opportunity?
I am doing the prestigious New York University Summer Publishing Institute. It is a 4-week intensive program about all things related to book and digital media publishing. This opportunity is funded by a Penguin Random House Scholarship, a Sigma Tau Delta Scholarship, and the Johnson Family fund. We learned about the details of how a book gets published from it’s conception in an authors’ mind to it reaching the hands of it’s readers. I was able to compliment my abstract, literary understanding of the book world with an applicable, business understanding of it, giving me to tools to navigate the media landscape more nimbly as a consumer and producer of writing.
I learned about my internship through Leslie Moore at the Piper Center! She sent out an email forwarding the opportunity to all the English majors. I passed it up for like 9 months thinking it’s too far out of what I want to do. Then, with like 3 weeks left until I graduated, having not yet solidified post-graduation plans yet, I was scrolling through my old emails all the way down to 650 – 700 section of my inbox, and then I found the opportunity and told myself, “might as well!” And then I got the opportunity and it was one of my most fun summers yet.
How does this connect with the career path you're interested in?
I am interested in becoming an English professor or working in Writing Centers in higher education so I can teach literature in an intensive, scholarly setting. I also dream of one day pursuing by own MFA in Creative Writing so I can publish my own book! I love the artforms of writing, reading, and teaching, and this summer program gave me a more complex understanding of literature, publishing, the writer’s life, and how to make it as a creative. It was amazing to meet a whole cohort of other creatives, book-lovers, and industry professionals that made my dreams of working in the world of books and editorial seem this much more achievable.
Grace Lankas
Sales Training Intern at GF Building Flow Solutions (formerly Uponor)
Apple Valley, Minnesota
How did you get this internship or research opportunity?
After researching a variety of companies, I found the job on LinkedIn and applied through a virtual interview platform. From there we interviewed virtually and I got the job.
How does this connect with the career path you're interested in?
I am interested in the manufacturing industry and I would like hold a role within sales training/support. This opportunity allowed me to gain experience working with sales effectiveness and content creation as well as hands-on experience in the plumbing, heating/cooling and fire protection world. All of these opportunities were filled with valuable lessons I will take with me as I begin my career.
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