Internships—the Ultimate in Networking
Many Principia College students reaped the benefits of interning this summer, enabling them to build professional skills and career networks while also bolstering their résumés. Here are just a few examples of internships—and one research experience—from this past summer.
Junior Gage Edgar, a physics and math double major, and senior Matt Herman, a physics major, interned at the SETI Institute in California. They worked on the broadest optical SETI search yet undertaken, using cameras designed to detect extrasolar laser pulses from across the sky. Working alongside senior-level research scientists, Gage and Matt optimized the camera design for functionality and affordability and helped write computer software. “At SETI, I saw the practical application of scientific theory,” Gage says. “Now I have ideas about graduate school and steps for pursuing a career in scientific research.” Matt concurs, adding that the experience was a “hugely valuable networking opportunity.”
Senior Shontee Pant interned at The Christian Science Monitor, honing her research and writing skills. A political science and history double major, Shontee also refined her ability to select story angles. “The only way to win at this game is to be first or notably distinct,” Shontee says.
Senior David McClelland, a business administration major, interned in the Finance Department of Nestlé Purina, analyzing prepay purchase orders and accrual accounts, building historical files, and testing pricing tools. “My biggest takeaways,” David says, “were seeing how important it is to seek new and creative avenues for accomplishing tasks, ask questions when you need clarification, and value a good company culture.” Evidently, David’s skills and work ethic fit the company culture quite well—he was offered a job as a financial analyst upon his graduation in 2016!
Senior Annika Fredrikson, a computer science and mathematics major, interned at Innovasia, a US-owned textile company operating throughout Asia. She worked with web development and other marketing projects primarily in Hong Kong, but she also traveled to company offices in Singapore, Tokyo, and Dongguan, China, where she conducted customer service interviews. “It was a great experience to apply what I’m learning in my course work at Principia and see how it relates to the international workplace,” she says.
Junior Shane Witters-Hicks worked as an undergraduate researcher in space weather forecasting at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Boulder, Colorado. A computer science major, Shane began his research experience for undergraduates (REU) with a preparatory “space physics school” and attended seminars throughout the summer. Shane also discovered the rigors of a research environment: “I went to a meeting with my mentor to hear a discussion of a paper. As it turned out, the attendees spent the hour heavily critiquing the paper, really tearing it to shreds. I left a little startled but glad that I'd witnessed a fundamental part of the scientific process. Intelligent yet sharp critique leads to the reformation of old ideas and the generation of new theories.”
Junior Annika Erickson interned at Cyan (now part of Ciena) in Petaluma, California. A computer science major, Annika built a web application to simulate the hardware of a single node in a communication network. “My boss provided me with constant challenges so that I always felt purposeful in my work, whether it was adding new features or improving existing ones,” Annika says. “I also got a better understanding of the value of a company’s culture. Executives made time to meet with the interns throughout the summer, and it felt special to be accepted as a part of a huge team with a great attitude.”
While these—and many other—students were interning, 13 current College students and recent grads stayed on campus, conducting research with Principia professors. Watch a video about the summer research assistants in the Biology and Natural Resources Department.