Inside the Internship: Real-World Experience, Hartwick Style

Hometown: Unadilla, New York
Major: Business Administration
Minor: Sport Management
Internship Title: Logistics Intern
Internship Site: Amphenol Aerospace in Sidney, New York

What are your main responsibilities in this internship? Finishing projects, creating presentations, sustaining/implementing said projects and other supervisor-style duties.

Does this internship relate to your major, or is it an area you’re simply curious or passionate about? This internship relates to my major quite well and is something I am interested in as far as becoming a supervisor.

What have you enjoyed most about this internship experience? What I have enjoyed most about this internship is completing projects and making sustainable changes to the plant that save thousands of dollars. I also really enjoy interacting with employees and practicing skills that directly translate to supervising.

Has this internship helped confirm your career goals—or has it shifted your future plans in any way? This internship has confirmed my desire to become a manager/supervisor in the near future and operate at a high level.

Advice you’d give to a fellow student about securing/engaging in an internship? Some advice I would offer is that you expect what you experience. You have to go into it with a positive mindset and be open to growth. I can’t explain how much I learned from the great mentors that I have been blessed with. Talking to the people around you is the best thing for you to do, because there is always something they know that you don’t, and you can learn.

Hometown: New York, New York
Majors: Philosophy, Public Health
Minor: Political Science
Internship Title: Urban Agriculture and Food Security Intern (Baker Simpson Fellowship)
Internship Site: New Roots Community Farm in the Bronx, New York

What are your main responsibilities in this internship? My main responsibilities during this internship were any and all tasks required to keep the farm running! Along with other community members, I helped plant, weed and water the farm to help maintain it. I also helped manage our weekly free distribution events and farmers’ market, where I got to meet and get to know tons of people in the neighborhood while sending them home with bags full of fresh, organic produce! Often, our work was interrupted by passers-by looking to learn more about the farm, so I spent plenty of time educating visitors on what we do and how they could get involved.

Does this internship relate to your major, or is it an area you’re simply curious or passionate about? Initially, I found New Roots by looking into food security-related projects, as it has long been a passion and interest of mine. As I progressed in my internship, I had many experiences and interacted with many perspectives that helped me connect the work I was doing more directly to both public health and political science, and of course, philosophy. It’s everywhere you look!

What have you enjoyed most about this internship experience? I walked away from this internship with so much practical knowledge on agriculture and a realization that this isn’t a field I want to walk away from, but rather immerse myself in! I also got to meet so many interesting individuals on a daily basis who all brought their own expertise and backgrounds to the farm in a way that really helps it thrive.

Has this internship helped confirm your career goals—or has it shifted your future plans in any way? It has definitely shifted my plans, as I am now super passionate about urban agriculture and agriculture in general. It is definitely a field I can see growing and becoming more prominent than it is now and I would love to be involved in it in any way possible.

Advice you’d give to a fellow student about securing/engaging in an internship? Allow yourself to embrace the pace of your workplace. It will make everything so much easier! The energy at New Roots is very laid-back and relaxed, and although a lot of the work I did was manual labor, approaching it with patience and care made it feel so much easier and more impactful.

Hometown: Otego, New York
Majors: Political Science, Criminal Justice
Minor: Legal Studies
Internship Title: New York State Supreme Court Clerk Intern
Internship Site: New York State Unified Courts in Cooperstown, New York

What are your main responsibilities in this internship? My main expectations for this internship were to observe the court, discuss with personnel the judicial histories and processes that have led to the criminal justice system we see today, and to create a critical analysis of all that I saw.

Does this internship relate to your major, or is it an area you’re simply curious or passionate about? As a student in Hartwick’s Pre-Law program, the internship perfectly aligned with my interests and was able to gave me an elucidating experience, taking the theory of the classroom and applying it to the real world.

Has this internship helped confirm your career goals—or has it shifted your future plans in any way? Part of this experience was having to face the reality of what happens in the criminal justice system, allowing me to navigate what I am interested in, as well as what I want to stay away from. I believe there is great value in both of these kinds of realization.

Advice you’d give to a fellow student about securing/engaging in an internship? I would recommend that students looking into internships have genuine, humble and open-minded conversations with as many people as they can during their internship. It is an opportunity to see the most intimate aspects of the field you are interested in and have critical discussions with professionals who are willing to teach.

Hometown: Scarborough, Maine
Major: Environmental Public Health
Minors: Psychology and Biology
Internship Title: Wildlife Rehabilitation and Care Intern
Internship Site: Saco River Wildlife Center in Limington, Maine

What are your main responsibilities in this internship? My main responsibilities involved directly caring for injured or orphaned wildlife. This includes feeding patients, cleaning cages, disinfecting supplies and playing with animals to provide enrichment!

Does this internship relate to your major, or is it an area you’re simply curious or passionate about? This internship aligns with my future goals of pursuing a career in environmental science and conservation.

What have you enjoyed most about this internship experience? I have really appreciated the chance to get hands-on experience caring for wildlife. I have been able to build a detailed understanding of animal behavior that I could never even hope to learn from a book.

Has this internship helped confirm your career goals—or has it shifted your plans in any way? This internship has helped me realize that although I don’t see myself becoming a wildlife rehabilitator, I can still apply the skills I have learned to several other professions. Building an understanding of animal behavior will help me in the future when my research might pull me into the woods, to a coastline or to places where interactions with wildlife are not uncommon.

Advice you’d give to a fellow student about securing/engaging in an internship? There are many lessons to learn from internships that extend beyond acquiring skills and knowledge. In addition to the field experiences I have gained from my internships, they have taught me more about my personal preferences and my non-negotiables in a future workspace and career. Although this internship has revealed to me that I do not want to be a wildlife rehabilitator, I have learned that I thrive in a hands-on workplace where my job responsibilities not only lie at a desk, but also in the field.

Hometown: Yaroslavl, Russia
Major: Computer Science
Minor: Cybersecurity
Internship Title: Security Engineer Intern
Internship Site: RiverMeadow

What are your main responsibilities in this internship? During my internship, I had the opportunity to initiate and take part in several projects. These have included starting from documenting system permissions and user roles for a stronger security standing of RiverMeadow, all the way to helping the quality assurance team perform cloud migrations in preparation for the latest software release. I have also assisted with system and organization controls (SOC) 2 to illustrate RiverMeadow’s compliance with the latest security requirements and enhance customer trust.

Does this internship relate to your major, or is it an area you’re simply curious or passionate about? The internship directly relates to my major in computer science and interest in cybersecurity. I have had a chance to write a script, analyze source code, implement a new Amazon Web Services (AWS) tool and perform regression testing. Although some of those things were new to me, it was a great experience as I got to learn and enhance my skills.

What have you enjoyed most about this internship experience? I have enjoyed having a flexible schedule and working remotely the most. It allows me to work with professionals from Armenia, Canada, the United States and Russia, and choose the time and location for my work.

Has this internship helped confirm your career goals—or has it shifted your plans in any way? My internship at RiverMeadow has confirmed my career goals. Not only have I had the most fun working on cybersecurity projects, but I have also opened a new area in the field that I would love to explore in the future. GRC or Governance, Risk and Compliance is what most of my work at RiverMeadow has been about. I have worked with documentation such as risk assessments and SOC 2 Compliance, to support the company in leveraging its competitiveness in the market and its security.

Advice you’d give to a fellow student about securing/engaging in an internship? Don’t limit yourself to the one subject you are interested in. Take every opportunity you can to learn a new concept, skill or tool. It will allow you to explore other areas, gain well-rounded experience and engage with other teams in the company. Also, try to be useful without creating more work for others.

Hometown: Leland, North Carolina
Major: Business Administration
Minors: Political Science, Digital Marketing, Sports Marketing
Internship Title: Oneonta Outlaws Fan Experience Assistant
Internship Site: Damaschke Field in Oneonta, New York

What are your main responsibilities in this internship? My main responsibilities included ensuring fans had a good time at each game. I also helped run games and other activities during the baseball games.

Does this internship relate to your major, or is it an area you’re simply curious or passionate about? The internship didn’t directly relate to my major, but I love sports and can see myself with a job around sports in the future.

What have you enjoyed most about this internship experience? I got to try a lot of different things during my internship. For some games, I was able to get on the broadcast and for other games, I was able to work the scoreboard. Overall, I gained a variety of experiences and had a lot of fun doing it.

Has this internship helped confirm your career goals—or has it shifted your future plans in any way? The internship has definitely helped me narrow down possible jobs that I’m interested in.

Advice you’d give to a fellow student about securing/engaging in an internship? Take it as a learning opportunity, try to learn as much as you can and meet as many people as you possibly can because it can really help you in the future.

Hometown: Cocoa Beach, Florida
Major: Business Administration
Minor: Political Science
Internship Title: Oneonta Outlaws Fan Experience Assistant
Internship Site: Damaschke Field in Oneonta, New York

What are your main responsibilities in this internship? Facilitate games on the field during the game, sell tickets and help set up the field.

Does this internship relate to your major, or is it an area you’re simply curious or passionate about? It relates to sales, but it mainly deals with sports and entertainment, which I’m interested in.

What have you enjoyed most about this internship experience? Working with friends and watching the games.

Advice you’d give to a fellow student about securing/engaging in an internship? Enjoy it and try to learn something new during the process.

Hometown: Pomona, New York
Majors: Psychology, Religious Studies
Minors: Philosophy, Forensic Science
Internship Title: Volunteer for the Visayans (VFV), (Emerson Scholarship)
Internship Site: Tacloban City, Philippines

What are your main responsibilities in this internship? My responsibility here at the women’s shelter is to coordinate activities for the women and children. These activities could be anything that boosts their self-esteem, teaches them new skills or even just lets them have some fun and take a break from their tasks. These women and children come from situations that range from extreme abuse to human trafficking. My job is to make them feel good about themselves and take their minds off the stresses of their circumstances.

Does this internship relate to your major, or is it an area you’re simply curious or passionate about? Yes! As a psychology and religious studies double major who wants to go into victim services, compassion is a necessary quality for this type of work. My connection with clients at the shelter and conversations with social workers have proven to be extremely relevant to my studies and growth as a person. This is my first empirical experience in the field and I couldn’t have picked a better start.

What have you enjoyed most about this internship experience? I am learning so much! Not only am I gaining experience, but I’m noticing the cultural differences that affect interactions in this field and I’ll soon be able to apply them to my own professional life. Also, the food in the Philippines is amazing!

Has this internship helped confirm your career goals—or has it shifted your future plans in any way? This has absolutely encouraged me to further pursue my goals. This experience has taught me that you can’t really know what something will be like until you try it yourself. And now that I’ve tried it, I’m completely focused on this career path.

Advice you’d give to a fellow student about securing/engaging in an internship? Put yourself out there! I can be a very shy person, so applying for an internship nearly 9,000 miles away was extremely daunting. However, when I started opening up and communicating with both my advisor, Dr. Kowalczyk and Sarah Busche from Global Education, the opportunity just seemed closer and closer. Take a risk. It might allow you to experience things you never thought were possible before. The goal you’re chasing is within reach!

Hometown: Springville, New York
Major: Public Health
Minors: Data Analytics and Religious Studies
Internship Title: Intern at the Rural Outreach Center (Baker Simpson Fellowship)
Internship Site: The Rural Outreach Center (ROC) in East Aurora, New York

What are your main responsibilities in this internship? At the ROC, I transform data related to the organization’s programs into clear, visually engaging materials for potential funders and grants, as well as public use. One example of this is creating capability statements that highlight the impact and success of the ROC’s work. I’m also helping with Dream Big, which is a summer program for children affected by poverty. The program provides a safe and supportive environment where kids can learn, play and feel celebrated for who they are. Additionally, I’m working on strengthening the ROC’s broader network by building connections with other organizations that share similar goals.

Does this internship relate to your major, or is it an area you’re simply curious or passionate about? This internship closely aligns with my public health major. The ROC addresses the social determinants of health and works to reduce health disparities in rural communities, which are two major parts of public health. The ROC offers services like mental health counseling, play therapy and housing support. Their mission is to break the cycle of rural poverty by accompanying people towards self-sufficiency through assistance, empowerment and elevation. To do this, the ROC uses key public health practices of community-based approaches.

What have you enjoyed most about this internship experience? One of the most meaningful parts of my experience has been working hands-on with the children in the Dream Big summer program. I’ve loved building connections with them, offering a listening ear, and being someone they can trust and feel safe with. It’s been incredibly rewarding to witness their joy, creativity, and resilience. I’ve also gained a deep appreciation for all of the behind-the-scenes work of nonprofits (especially smaller ones) and all the dedication and heart involved in what may seem like small victories from the outside.

Has this internship helped confirm your career goals—or has it shifted your future plans in any way? This internship has confirmed that I want a career where I can bridge both data and direct service. Public health offers many pathways and I’ve learned that I don’t have to choose just one. I want to be someone who identifies community needs through data and listening and then rolls up my sleeves to help meet those needs firsthand in a way that is most beneficial for that community. This balance of analysis and human connection is what excites me most about this field.

Advice you’d give to a fellow student about securing/engaging in an internship? Put yourself out there and talk to people, even if there is no immediate goal or opportunity in mind. Some of the most valuable connections I’ve made came from simple, honest conversations rooted in curiosity. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or sit and listen because you learn so much that way, not just about others but about yourself, too. And lastly, travel. Even if it’s just 10 minutes down the road that you’ve never really been to. This internship has allowed me to meet people who live differently from me and to see the world from a different angle. This kind of exposure teaches you more than any textbook can. It’s in the moments where you’re uncomfortable that you grow.

Hometown: Randolph, New Jersey
Major: Public Health
Minor: General Education
Internship Title: Student Assistant
Internship Site: NYS Department of Health, Oneonta District Office

What are your main responsibilities in this internship? As an intern with the New York State Department of Health, my main responsibility is conducting health inspections in food service establishments to ensure compliance with the New York State Sanitary Code. This includes assessing food handling practices, cleanliness, equipment maintenance, and overall facility conditions to help protect public health.

Does this internship relate to your major, or is it an area you’re simply curious or passionate about? This internship directly relates to my public health major. It provides real-world experience in environmental health and disease prevention, both of which are core aspects of the public health field. It also aligns with my interests in education, as I’m able to educate food service employees about safety standards and practices during inspections.

What have you enjoyed most about this internship experience: I’ve really enjoyed the hands-on experience of being out in the field and applying what I’ve learned in the classroom to real-life situations. It’s rewarding to see the direct impact of the work that the department does. I also appreciate how much I’ve learned from the professionals in the department. They’ve been great mentors.

Has this internship helped confirm your career goals—or has it shifted your future plans in any way? This internship has taught me that I enjoy working in an environment that balances working in an office with working directly with the community in the field.

Advice you’d give to a fellow student about securing/engaging in an internship? Start applying to internships early and apply to every one you see that interests you. Don’t be afraid to apply to internships that are out of your comfort zone. That is where you will learn the most!

Hometown: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Major: Public Health
Minor: Social Work
Internship Title: Student Assistant Intern
Internship Site: New York State Department of Health, Oneonta District Office

What are your main responsibilities in this internship? As a student assistant at the New York State Department of Health, I support both the food service and water operations programs across Otsego, Delaware and Greene counties. In food service, I assist with inspections at restaurants and other establishments, observing for violations that may pose public health risks and helping communicate corrective actions to operators. In the water operations program, I handle data entry of monthly and yearly water quality results, such as total coliform and nitrate levels, into the New York State database. I also help monitor incoming lab samples each morning and assist with issuing boil water advisories when positive results are found. I’ve started training for field water inspections and have already shadowed one in preparation for future site visits.

Does this internship relate to your major, or is it an area you’re simply curious or passionate about? Yes, this internship directly relates to my major, which is public health. Since I’m working at the New York State Department of Health, all the work I do, whether in food service inspections or water operations, is centered around protecting and promoting public health. Public health is a broad field and before this experience, I wasn’t sure which area I wanted to focus on. But through this internship, I’ve gained a clearer understanding of my interests, what kind of work I enjoy and the direction I want to take moving forward. It’s helped me realize where I’d like to dedicate myself within the field.

What have you enjoyed most about this internship experience? What I’ve enjoyed most about this internship is getting real-world experience in a field I’m truly passionate about: public health. Every day feels like a learning opportunity, whether I’m working in the office or out in the field doing inspections. I’ve learned so much about public health through hands-on work and it’s helped me grow both personally and professionally. This internship also motivated me to finally get my driver’s license, since I needed it for fieldwork. It was something I had been putting off. I’ve also really appreciated the connections I’ve made along the way. My coworkers are incredibly kind, friendly and supportive, and shadowing them during inspections honestly felt like going on mini adventures. The experience has been both meaningful and fun.

Has this internship helped confirm your career goals—or has it shifted your future plans in any way? Yes, this internship has definitely confirmed my career goals. I chose to major in public health because I’m a compassionate person who cares deeply about helping others. Through this internship, whether I’m working in food service or water operations, I’ve seen how my work directly impacts the health and safety of the public by helping prevent food-borne and water-borne illnesses. This experience showed me that public health is not just something I’m interested in. It’s something I can see myself doing long-term. It has strengthened my commitment to building a career in this field. I’ve also been offered the opportunity to continue working in this position until I graduate, which will allow me to keep learning and explore different aspects of the program.

Advice you’d give to a fellow student about securing/engaging in an internship? Go for it. There’s no loss in trying. I had doubts, especially as an international student, and didn’t think I’d get an internship. My advisor, Dr. Budwitz, encouraged me to apply. A few weeks later, I was offered the position. I was so happy that I took the chance! This internship has been an amazing opportunity to learn from professionals who are passionate about what they do. I’ve made great connections and gained real-world experience in a field I care deeply about: public health. Even if you’re unsure about your future, internships help you figure out what you like and whether you see yourself working in that field. Studying something is one thing, but actually doing it shows you if it’s right for you. So take the chance. You won’t regret it.

Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Major: Theatre Arts
Minor: Art History
Internship Title: General and Technical Associate
Internship Site: Pendragon Theatre in Saranac Lake, New York

What are your main responsibilities in this internship? My main responsibilities in this internship were making sure the transition between shows and lighting designers was smooth and the designers got everything they needed before coming to the theatre to start working. I was essentially the main point of communication for anything lighting-related.

Does this internship relate to your major, or is it an area you’re simply curious or passionate about? The internship relates to my major, of course, but I also have a genuine curiosity about not only theatre, but the entertainment world in general, and how things work behind the scenes.

What have you enjoyed most about this internship experience? What I’ve enjoyed most are the people. Pendragon is such a community-focused theatre, and being part of that has been amazing. Locals come in to help clean between shows, strike sets, run concessions, work the box office and usher. Sometimes, even mow the lawn. It’s really special to see how much the community cares about the space, and it’s been so cool to be part of that kind of environment.

Has this internship helped confirm your career goals—or has it shifted your future plans in any way? Working this internship for a second summer has both confirmed and expanded my career goals. It reaffirmed that I want to be part of a smaller theatre with strong ties to its community; places like Pendragon, where collaboration is central. At the same time, it’s shown me that I don’t have to limit myself to lighting design. I’ve had the chance to explore sound, administrative work, and even house management. And now I’m excited by the idea of wearing many hats in a theatre setting.

Advice you’d give to a fellow student about securing/engaging in an internship? Don’t let a “no” discourage you. I got eight rejections before I finally heard one “yes.” Not hearing back or getting turned down doesn’t mean you’re not good enough. It just means that the opportunity wasn’t the right fit for you. You just have to keep looking. The right internship is out there and it’ll come. The biggest thing is to stay confident and trust yourself through the process.

Name: Dylan Dwyer ‘26

Hometown: Monroe-Woodbury, New York

Majors: Biology and Psychology

Minor: Chemistry

Internship Title: Medical Shadowing (Emerson Scholarship)

Internship Site: Barcelona, Spain (Hospital El Pilar and Hospital Universitari General de Catalunya)

What are your main responsibilities in this internship? I spoke with physicians of all sorts of specialties (general surgery, urology, oncology, cardiology, etc.) and was able to shadow them in action. I was in the room with patients and the doctor as they discussed their cancer prognosis and recent imaging results. I was shoulder-to-shoulder with a general surgeon as they pointed out different blood vessels and muscles in a patient’s neck during the removal of their tumor-occupied thyroid and surrounding lymph nodes. I was able to listen to a patient’s artificial heart via stethoscope and so much more cool stuff! As a pre-med student and as part of the Atlantis program, I made sure to follow Association of American Medical Colleges guidelines, which make clear that I have no active role in patient care. Nevertheless, I was still able to be fully engaged and present throughout my time shadowing.

Does this internship relate to your major, or is it an area you’re simply curious or passionate about? My experience abroad shadowing doctors directly relates to my goal of going to medical school and becoming a physician. More specifically, this opportunity gave me experiences in a range of medical fields, which have already helped me narrow down my choice for when I need to decide on my residency program towards the end of medical school. Additionally, my choice to pursue this experience abroad in Spain was very intentional. I was captivated by Spain’s geography, culture, language and history while studying abroad during my sophomore year through a J Term course and I wanted to return. While I have no direct goals of living or practicing in Spain, I am passionate about understanding outside culture and healthcare systems outside of the United States, which will undoubtedly aid me in my career as a physician.
What have you enjoyed most about this internship experience? I really enjoyed learning from experienced doctors and listening to patients. I also got to enjoy the area, people, and culture.
Has this internship helped confirm your career goals—or has it shifted your future plans in any way? This internship has further solidified my goal to be a doctor.

Advice you’d give to a fellow student about securing/engaging in an internship? Go for it! If you have an idea, there is a path and people to help you get there.

Name: Megan Bryla ‘26

Hometown: Endicott, New York

Majors: Environment, Sustainability & Society, French and Art

Internship Title: Riparian Buffer Steward

Internship Site: Tioga County Soil and Water Conservation District

What are your main responsibilities in this internship? My main responsibilities at this internship include planting and monitoring trees, and maintaining buffer sites. Riparian buffers are the areas of vegetation by streams or other waterways, so the overall goal of my internship is to restore these areas. I also participate in community outreach events with the office.

Does this internship relate to your major, or is it an area you’re simply curious or passionate about? Yes, this internship relates to my Environment, Sustainability & Society major, which is also something I’m very passionate about.
What have you enjoyed most about this internship experience? One of my favorite parts of this internship is getting to see so much wildlife, from foxes and fawns to bald eagles and butterflies. I’ve also gotten to eat lunch by some beautiful places, by lots of creeks under willow trees.
Has this internship helped confirm your career goals—or has it shifted your future plans in any way? This internship has helped confirm my career goals by showing me what the field of conservation looks like. It’s also very encouraging to know that what I’m doing is making a difference.

Advice you’d give to a fellow student about securing/engaging in an internship? Be confident in what you’ve learned and open to learning new things on the job!

Name: Raven James ‘27

Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts

Majors: Psychology and Sociology

Minor: Social Work

Internship Title: Violence Intervention Program (VIP) Summer Intern

Internship Site: Opportunities for Otsego VIP

What are your main responsibilities in this internship? To shadow advocates as they provided services to clients. I would shadow intake calls for clients who wanted compensation for expenses that occurred due to abuse. This included attending court cases with advocates where their client had to testify to the abuse they’d suffered. I also had some responsibilities around the office. I designed social media posts and every intern has to create a “passion project.” My passion project was centered around hope and I came up with the idea of vision boards. This was a way for survivors to visualize the things they want in their lives that they didn’t think were attainable. Everyone was able to come to this event. To prepare, I had to create four separate social media posts, gather supplies, as well as print photo collages that people could add to their vision boards. 

Does this internship relate to your major, or is it an area you’re simply curious or passionate about? This internship is in the field of human services, which relates to both psychology and sociology, but leans more toward sociology. The advocates at the Violence Intervention Program are similar to social case workers, but they don’t hold a master’s degree in social work. They are trained to listen to survivors and direct them to the correct services. I am passionate about the human services field, especially as it relates to the livelihood of children and adults who need support. This organization allowed me to be on the giving side of support for families when I’d only seen this system from the receiving end.

What have you enjoyed most about this internship experience? I enjoyed being on the frontline and being able to provide support to those in immediate need. Clients would come into the office and I would hear what they were going through and empathize with them. That’s what I loved most about the VIP. No case was ever sheltered from me and they treated me as an equal instead of just an intern doing busy work. This organization made my summer worthwhile. Being able to laugh with clients as they were going through big life changes meant a lot to me, and I could see the relief and comfort on each client’s face. 

Has this internship helped confirm your career goals, or has it shifted your future plans in any way? It gave me a lot to think about. The way I interacted with clients made me take another look at pursuing a career in human services. Talking to clients face-to-face was my favorite part of this entire internship. This internship also makes me think about my interest in research and data. I can do both. I don’t have to choose one path: psychology and sociology go hand in hand. It’s important to understand both. 

Advice you’d give to a fellow student about securing/engaging in an internship? DO IT! It’s not just something to put on your resume. It’s real-world experience that you can get before going into your prospective career. Don’t go in blind. Test the waters and see where you are most comfortable. If you think of it as a chore, that’s what it’ll be. Treat your internship like it’s your job. Get up early, put effort into your appearance and SHOW UP! 

Name: Hannah Gilliand ‘27

Hometown: Trenton, Michigan

Majors: Criminal Justice and Political Science

Internship Title: Business Assistant (Baker Simpson Fellowship)

Internship Site: Boustead Apex in Singapore

What are your main responsibilities in this internship? I was the assistant to the CEO. I help organize the company’s files, assist with meeting scheduling, note-taking and preparing him before large conferences. 

Does this internship relate to your major, or is it an area you’re simply curious or passionate about? Although it doesn’t relate to my major, I believe financial literacy is something everyone should learn about. I was able to discover more about economics, trading and listing companies on stock markets, which helps inform me on how to invest myself!

What have you enjoyed most about this internship experience? Singapore, overall, is an amazing country. It’s very small and yet very innovative. My boss and coworkers made it a priority to show me around the country and have me try all of the local cultural dishes. 

Has this internship helped confirm your career goals, or has it shifted your future plans in any way? Being able to intern outside of my interests was extremely eye-opening. Although I want a career aligned with my majors, I realize that there are so many unique jobs and workplaces that I would love to be involved in as well. Having a more ‘liberal arts’ approach to my summer showed how beneficial a well-rounded education is. If I had done an internship within my major, that would have been fine, but being able to explore the world of business surrounded by experts was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.   

Advice you’d give to a fellow student about securing/engaging in an internship? Be honest and be curious. Companies want to help you and are invested in watching you grow. Ask questions to understand what is happening around you, even if it is intimidating. Diving straight into trying to understand financial lingo was not easy, but by being engaged and wanting to learn, my bosses helped me every step of the way until I understood everything they were saying. 

Name: Ireayooluwa Otoki ‘26

Hometown: Lagos, Nigeria

Major: Nursing

Internship Title: Nursing Assistant

Internship Site: Fresh Air Fund in Fishkill, New York

What are your main responsibilities in this internship? As a nursing assistant at the camp, I support camp nurses, monitor campers’ health and safety, and support infirmary operations. I assist with health checks, medication distribution, record-keeping and enforce infirmary policies. 

Does this internship relate to your major, or is it an area you’re simply curious or passionate about? This internship is directly related to my major. As a senior nursing student with only one year of college left, I was eager to experience a healthcare setting outside the hospital. After recently completing my pediatrics rotation this spring, I wanted to dive deeper into that world and see what it had to offer.

What have you enjoyed most about this internship experience? The way it has pushed me. Taking on this internship was a challenge. It was outside my comfort zone and any experience I had. Now, I can say that I have really enjoyed working here. The kids are amazing and their imagination and view of the world are remarkable. I have also gained more skills than I would have imagined. I have met great people with whom I have connected on many levels.
Has this internship helped confirm your career goals—or has it shifted your future plans in any way? This internship has confirmed my love for this profession. Nursing is really for me. While I’m still open to other specialties, I know that pediatrics is a good one.

Advice you’d give to a fellow student about securing/engaging in an internship?

Don’t just rely on your resume.’ Your voice is your biggest asset. Speak up for yourself, even when it feels intimidating. Take that leap into the unknown and immerse yourself in the experience. Document your journey and most importantly, have fun along the way.

Name: Grace Torto Asamoah ’26

Hometown: Kumasi, Ghana

Major: Public Health 

Minor: Healthcare Administration 

Internship Title: Student Assistant Intern

Internship Site: New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), Oneonta District Office 

What are your main responsibilities in this internship? As a student assistant intern, I support the administrative and environmental health teams at the NYSDOH. My main responsibilities include organizing and filing health inspection records, scanning documents and naming each document appropriately within the department’s computer system. I also handle shredding documents that contain confidential or sensitive information to ensure privacy and data protection. These administrative tasks play an important role in supporting the Environmental Health Division’s day-to-day operations. 

Does this internship relate to your major, or is it an area you’re simply curious or passionate about? Yes, this internship closely relates to my public health major. It provides me with real-world experience in administrative functions that support environmental health and key areas in public health. It has allowed me to apply concepts I have learned in class.

What have you enjoyed most about this internship experience? What I have enjoyed most is working in a professional public health setting and understanding how the administrative side of environmental health contributes to community well-being. I have also appreciated the opportunity to observe how the department handles inspections, communications and documentation. The team has been supportive and their mentorship has made the experience even more valuable.

Has this internship helped confirm your career goals—or has it shifted your future plans in any way? This internship has definitely confirmed my interest in pursuing a career in public health, specifically in administration and epidemiology. It has also inspired me to consider roles that involve health data management. I now feel even more confident in my plans to pursue a master’s of public health degree after graduation.

Advice you’d give to a fellow student about securing/engaging in an internship? Take the initiative and don’t be afraid to reach out for opportunities even if they are outside of your zone. Internships are a great way to apply what you have learned in class and gain new skills. Use the resources available at Hartwick, like career services and faculty advisors, to help you find a good fit. Once you are in the role, treat it professionally and be open to learning from every task, no matter how small.

Hometown: Frisco, Texas

Majors: Psychology and Sociology

Minor: Criminal Justice

Internship Title: Research Assistant

Internship Site: Remote/ University of San Diego Public Health Department

What are your main responsibilities in this internship? Receiving training in qualitative research methods and scientific writing via weekly mentorship meetings. Assisting with data collection, including pilot testing interview guides, managing data and supporting transcription, conducting qualitative data analyses (e.g., coding and thematic analysis) focused on illicit substance use behaviors.

Does this internship relate to your major, or is it an area you’re simply curious or passionate about? It relates partially to my major, but it is a broader interest in learning about vulnerable populations, understanding the barriers and what the communities are like.

What have you enjoyed most about this internship experience? I have loved having the opportunity to truly get a broad understanding of what it is like to partake in research at every single step. But my absolute favorite part was the opportunity to go out to San Diego and get in-field experience to see what it’s like on the ground where the research was taking place and interact with both the target population and the organizations we have been working with throughout the entire experience.

Has this internship helped confirm your career goals—or has it shifted your future plans in any way? A bit of both. It has confirmed and strengthened my interest in research. It has sparked my interest in vulnerable populations and to try and unearth the truth behind stigmatized gazes and learn what is hurting these people.

If applicable, is your supervisor a Hartwick alum, or do you work closely with one? Yes. A Hartwick alum named Will Eger ‘19.

Advice you’d give to a fellow student about securing/engaging in an internship? Take every opportunity you hear, even if you think you’ll eventually get another chance later on. Put your name out there and be greedy for every job fair and every connection event. And talk to your department about anything they might know or be able to give you a chance on.

Name: Cassidy Miakisz ‘26

Hometown: Duanesburg, New York

Majors: Business Administration and Digital Marketing

Minor: Data Analytics

Internship Title: Marketing Sampler 

Internship Site: Pepsi-Cola of the Hudson Valley 

What are your main responsibilities in this internship? Sampling free products at local events, grocery stores and gas stations. Promoting the products and participating in marketing campaigns to engage consumers and boost sales for the company. 

Does this internship relate to your major, or is it an area you’re simply curious or passionate about? This internship has allowed me to explore opportunities in the marketing field, which aligns with my interests and correlates with one of my majors. 

What have you enjoyed most about this internship experience? Meeting new people and forming new connections that can help me achieve my future goals. I’ve also formed strong friendships with my coworkers.

Has this internship helped confirm your career goals-or has it shifted your future plans in any way? This internship has been a great experience for me. I would like to explore the digital side of marketing and gain more behind-the-scenes insight than the tasks included in this internship. 

Advice you’d give to a fellow student about securing/engaging in an internship? When looking for an internship, it is great to know people in the field in which you are looking. Networking is one of the most important things when it comes to your future career. Also, don’t be afraid to try things outside of your comfort zone. That’s how you learn about yourself and figure out what path you want to go down.