Fall 2023 Internship Spotlights
Written by: Olivia Harris, Student Assistant for Student Outreach
Over the winter break, we contacted students to understand their internship. We are sharing their stories to highlight their experiences and the knowledge they gained from it for you to get inspiration from for your own internship search.
Alyssa Bruce
Major: International Studies with an International Certificate in Europe
Year: Senior
Internship Site: City of Pittsburgh Mayor’s Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs
Pronouns: she/her/hers
What did a typical day at your internship look like?
Every day was different, but my responsibilities were writing briefings for the mayor for events he was invited to and attending delegations from different countries to hear about refugee crises in Europe.
What was your favorite part of the internship?
I really liked seeing the impact that a city government could have on constituents and how different departments could work together to achieve a goal.
Do you feel that your internship has helped you obtain a better understanding of future jobs/internships?
Yes! I gained knowledge about how city government works, and I want to work in city government in the future. I also gained networking opportunities through the office and agencies I’m interested in.
What advice do you have for someone who does not know what to look for in an internship/site?
Keep trying to find something that fits for you! It’s really important to learn about the company culture because that shows what you’ll get out of the internship. I felt that my bosses respected my ideas and cared about my learning. Also, apply to opportunities even if you think it’s a reach or you’re not qualified. This specific position applied to a graduate position, but I ended up getting it.
Stephanie Rios
Major: Immersive Media
Year: Sophomore
Internship Site: Tin Drum
Pronouns: she/her/hers
What did a typical day at your internship look like?
I was on a design team where we were making a prototype of a case to transport headsets. There was research involved, as well as 3D printing and supervisor meetings to discuss ideas and logistics.
What was your favorite part of the internship?
I loved the atmosphere of the company itself. It was very laid back, and I felt like part of the company.
Do you feel that your internship has helped you obtain a better understanding of future jobs/internships?
Yes. Seeing my major in a professional sense outside of Chatham was interesting to me, as was seeing other people in my major and their potential with their degrees.
What advice do you have for someone who does not know what to look for in an internship/site?
Find ways to make connections. Ask around, ask your professors, and people related to the field. My friend got me this internship through someone they met. We created the connection from there. Connections like this may not be what you expect.