Internship Experiences

Boyo Amuka
Human Resources at Pathlight Property Management
Plano, Texas

“I created a performance evaluation system, conducted preliminary interviews, and set out training programs for employees about payroll and benefits, using the payroll processing system ADP Workforce Now. The experience prepared me for life after college, and now I know for sure that human resources is the field I want to go into. I came back to Principia for my senior year as a more polished individual and am excited to make the most of my classes as a business and philosophy double major.”

Courtlyn Reekskin
Marketing at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa
Acme, Michigan

“I did something new every day! One of my big projects was to create and implement a strategic marketing plan for the resort’s online store. I also wrote story starters for the resort’s media page, planned and carried out a 5K event, designed a customized plastic cup in collaboration with Pepsi, wrote articles for the annual magazine, and contributed to social media platforms. In addition, I worked on a group project to develop a revenue enhancement plan for the resort.

Everyone I worked with is very well-connected to major hotel chains and smaller resorts. If I decide to go into marketing or public relations in hospitality, I know there will be many people at the resort who can help me.”

Micah Stevens
Aviator PPG
Lake Wales, Florida

Aviator PPG is a premier powered paraglider training and equipment company. “From growing my previous knowledge of filming and editing to learning how to fly and maintain paramotors to digging into the nitty gritty of how the business operates—the skills I acquired are vast! I helped with paramotor maintenance (taking apart and putting together two-stroke engines) and even helped the staff teach paragliding classes. I learned from people who are passionate about their company, and the connections I made go beyond the four walls of this business. I couldn't be more grateful for the opportunity.”

Leah Schaefer
United States House of Representatives, House Judiciary Committee
Washington, DC

“I researched key bills that appeared on the floor each week, and assisted staff members gather information on a range of projects. I also facilitated correspondence between subcommittees and outside organizations. The experience gave me such a depth of understanding of our government and all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes. I compete for Principia in Model Illinois Government, and that experience helped prepare me for the internship.”

Paige Cooley
Mars 2020 Flight Systems System Engineering Team
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Pasadena, California

“I worked alongside engineers to develop, test, and execute procedures that will meet the requirements of the verification and validation effort for actuators and motor control and for spacecraft modes and configuration.”

Note: The rover aboard the Mars 2020 mission will conduct geological assessments of its landing site on Mars, determine the habitability of the environment, and search for signs of ancient life, among other tasks.

Grant Lee
Wordsworth Trust
Grasmere, England

“I conducted research to help make the Trust’s artifacts even more accessible to the public. I also gave educational tours of Dove Cottage, where William Wordsworth lived, and learned about the administrative aspects of running a nonprofit, such as ticketing and gift shop sales. I was surrounded by hardworking co-workers and learned something new each day.”

Chris Hronek
ManTech Corporation
Vienna, Virginia

“I researched operating system security concepts, evaluated existing tools, and developed code. I gained a better understanding of how programs function and programming languages work, and I learned how to accurately articulate my findings to teammates. The experience helped me hone my programming ability and learn more about cyber security.”

Note: At the conclusion of the summer, Chris was offered a full-time position with ManTech.

Jacky Ebelabena
UNESCO
Yaoundé, Cameroon

“I translated documents and helped the minister of basic education write speeches for workshops and seminars. I regularly met with high-level staff who are working to improve the quality of education in Cameroon. The experience helped me develop my professional skills, and I’m in touch with colleagues about future job opportunities.”

Zach Grennie
Elephant Cooperation
San Clemente, California

“I researched elephant population statistics, migratory patterns, habitat ranges, and future mission trips for Elephant Cooperation, a nonprofit that raises awareness about the African elephant. I worked on data management using Salesforce (an online data archive), learned Jira (a project management software), and became better at Excel. I also developed social media posts for the organization. The experience opened my eyes to future job opportunities.”

Mason Switzer
Continental Automotive Systems, Powertrain Division
Deer Park, Illinois

“I was responsible for supporting the engineering staff on various automotive and powersports transmission systems. I used CREO, a CAD software package, to reverse-engineer testing fixtures and setups as well as to design and model custom fixtures. I also performed statistical analysis on real-life design dimensions to correct a potential quality error in a production part, and I designed a variable moment-of-inertia coupler for a real-world-conditions simulation in the testing laboratory.”

Natalie Storm
Royal Bank of Canada Wealth Management
Seattle, Washington

“The internship gave me insight into how the corporate world works. I worked alongside a team of investment advisors, updating the client database and creating analytical spreadsheets. I also thoroughly enjoyed meeting and talking with clients. The experience gave me real-life perspective on the financial industry and its significance in people’s lives. I learned so much about the importance of financial independence through retirement planning.”

Leigh Weathers
Brookfield Zoo, Bird Department
Chicago, Illinois

“This experience gave me an understanding of the latest husbandry standards for a collection of over 70 bird species. In addition to hands-on animal care, I learned about collection management, exhibit design, incubation, anatomy, and behavior. I also developed communication skills by participating in keeper chats to share the important role zoos play in animal conservation. The internship culminated in a project that furthers animal husbandry and welfare practices at the zoo.”

Brie Burns
Environmental Law Institute

“During my internship in Washington, DC, I managed volunteers, coordinated a biweekly environmental peacebuilding update (sent to over 2,000 individuals), and helped draft lectures on environmental peacebuilding for the organization’s Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) in partnership with the United Nations Environment Program, Duke University, Columbia University, and the University of California, Irvine.” (Brie is in the front row, third from the right, with her intern colleagues.)

Michael McClelland
Enterprise Rent-A-Car

“I couldn’t have asked for a better outcome or experience this summer.” Michael was offered a Sales Management Trainee position at the conclusion of the summer. During his internship, Michael placed third in total sales among more than 30 interns, and his three-person group presentation—including an innovative proposal for customer service—earned first place, winning the members of his group seats at the invitation-only Top Performers Dinner. “I learned the basic skills of management, fact finding, and customer service, while finding success in a competitive sales environment. Managers were always willing to help refine, improve, and execute sales techniques, which contributed to my success.”

Jeff Lewis
Up Top Acres and Elevation Greenroofs

After creating a roof garden on campus, business major and sustainability minor Jeff Lewis interned at two organizations in this growing field: “At Up Top Acres, I learned how to profitably grow organic vegetables on a commercial farming scale. During the internship at Elevation Greenroofs, I learned how to build green roofs from the ground up—the design and structural composition. The two internships gave me the experience and confidence to make an impact in sustainable agriculture after graduation.” Jeff earned his LEED Green Associate certification shortly after completing both internships.

Zeke Ouellette
WBAL-TV11

"While interning in the sports department, I learned how to manage the station's production system, researched statistics to complement stories, logged video to prep for edits, and wrote scripts for some of the sportscasts. Working with the station's sports director and Baltimore Ravens radio broadcaster, Gerry Sandusky, was very rewarding. His experience and mentorship taught me more about the industry than any book could, and networking with him was extremely valuable.”

Samson Myers
Saint Louis Zoo

“Education is a large part of the Saint Louis Zoo’s goal, and I participated in daily tours and educational talks for everyone from young children to graduate school students. I also spent many hours maintaining the enclosures for the animals. I will continue as an intern/volunteer in the Herpetarium over the next year.”

Martin Soemarsono
Mandiri Sekuritas in Indonesia

A computer science and music double major, Martin interned in the securities industry in his home country of Indonesia. “My liberal arts background at Principia has made me a very versatile individual, enabling me to learn everything I needed for the internship during the first couple of weeks. The internship exposed me to the capital markets industry and taught me how to navigate through situations at work.”

Sophia Hathaway
University of Primorska in Slovenia

Sophia Hathaway, an environmental studies and global perspectives double major, interned with the Turtlelife project, a European Union funded program for the conservation of loggerhead sea turtles in the northern Adriatic Sea. “Field expeditions included tracking bottlenose dolphins off the coast of Slovenia and Italy and catching and marking butterflies in the Karst region of Slovenia. I also helped review and revise research papers and conducted tourist surveys about sea turtles to help determine how to best protect these magnificent creatures!”

Truett Sparkman and Timon Keller
Department of Environment in the Turks and Caicos Islands

“The experience was transformative and put my education into perspective,” Timon says. “It led me to apply to graduate school within weeks of returning to campus.”

"It was a fantastic opportunity to build experience in conservation, environmental management, and marine research,” Truett comments. “It also brought home the challenges we face in advocating for sustainability in developing countries, and it reminded me that protecting the environment requires equal attention to complex socioeconomic realities.” (Both students earned their scuba diving credentials, loved exploring the clear Caribbean water, and found that they excelled at hunting invasive lion fish!)

Connor Fiddler
Capitol Hill

“I shadowed Congressman Rodney Davis for a whole day, following him to committee hearings, constituent meetings, and even to the House Floor. The experience allowed me to see the legislative process up close and personal. His staff also encouraged interns to pursue their policy interests. For example, I helped find possible bills to co-sponsor on issues regarding defense, energy, and the growing opioid crisis. My time on Capitol Hill changed my perspective on how our government runs and the people behind it. I would encourage others to pursue a summer internship in Washington, DC.”

Ben Robinson
Brinkmann Constructors

“I worked on bid solicitation, which involved contacting subcontractors to ask if they’d be interested in bidding on projects. I learned that I particularly like field work—being on-site with construction projects in process. It was fast-paced once the permit process lifted and we hit the ground running. I found that my engineering classes at Principia (offered in partnership with the University of North Dakota) prepared me, particularly Mechanical Design, Statics, Mechanics of Materials, and Business Analytics. Brinkmann is a great company with a friendly work environment. Just being around founder and CEO Bob Brinkmann inspired me to work hard and make the most of each day on the job. I learned how be a self-starter because the company culture strongly encourages that.”

Riley Capp, Hannah LePoidevin, and Alden Williams
Westcliffe Performing Arts Theatre

Performing as Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, Riley noted, "The tale was rendered as a timely story, not just a spectacle of costumes and poetic language. We told a story, yes, yet also taught a lesson." The trio honed valuable off-stage skills, too—Hannah choreographed the production, Alden worked on sound design, and they all taught in the kids' creativity camp.

Nika Magradze, Esteban Rojas-Acura, and Emma Halsey
Adventure Tours in St. Lucia

“I worked for the finance department of the company, doing financial analysis and learning about budgets and investments,” says Esteban (pictured in the center). “I also got to rate the tours that the company offers, so some days I went on tours and then wrote reports on them.”

Cha Cha Fisher
EuroDev Business Development Group in Holland

“This Dutch company helps American businesses expand into European markets through sales and human resources outsourcing and mergers and acquisitions. I learned about their strategic approach as I dove into the nitty gritty of marketing—planning and executing mailings to potential clients, conducting correspondence for a sales vice president, and helping to increase the company’s social media presence, especially on Instagram. I loved the company culture, and working alongside interns and employees from across Europe was a learning experience in itself!

“The experience was an outstanding follow-up to my internship in Washington, DC, the previous summer. Both offered practical experience that I’m confident will help guide my next steps after graduation.”

Liz McAloney
Seattle Seahawks

“Principia's Career Options class was a great place to start the internship process. I made a series of connections at the Seahawks organization through a Principia alum, and then an adviser in the Academic & Career Advising Class coached me as I prepared for a Skype interview, which led to the internship offer. Once in Seattle, I worked on multiple events to help build the team’s fan base as part of the Seakhawks’ Street Team (pictured here). My communication and organizational skills skyrocketed because of this opportunity. Now I know what to expect working for a major league sports team.” 

Nohemy Johnson
New Light in India

While interning, senior Nohemy Johnson (third from left) met a group of women working on a project called Mukti, which means liberation and freedom in Hindi. “They create products to enable women to earn money as a way to escape the sex industry and the abuse that comes with it. I helped them so I could get to know them and understand their efforts. After that, when I looked at them, I no longer saw women with a tough past, nor did I pity them. They are strong, independent, and selfless women.”

Britteni Kayser
PowerChord Inc.

As a sales and marketing intern in St. Petersburg, Florida, Britteni Kayser created content for press releases, researched case studies for clients, and worked with Photoshop and InDesign to create images for social media posts. “I learned what it's like to work full time and how important it is to love the people you work with. Everyone was so welcoming—I didn’t want to leave!”

Sierra Hussey
Breakthrough Collaborative

“I loved every minute of my teaching internship with Breakthrough Collaborative Manchester,” which serves students from under-resourced communities on their pathway to college. Every day was fun, humbling, unique, and full of growth. I have a newfound love and appreciation for teachers and teaching beyond what I expected to gain.”