This summer, Ship students from diverse academic backgrounds are gaining internship experiences across various fields, from art museum curation to political science research and environmental education. The projects that students are working on this summer exemplifies how internships enhance students’ knowledge and skill sets within their chosen career paths.
Patricia Gaydar
Patricia Gaydar is currently interning at the Susquehanna Art Museum, located in Harrisburg, PA. Her responsibilities include art handling, which involves setting up and taking down paintings, drawings and photographs for exhibits. Her supervisors have been imperative to her experience, helping her to gain knowledge in museum curation and exhibit design. So far, Gaydar’s experience at the museum has broadened her understanding of creating engaging exhibits that tell stories about artists and their works. She appreciates the museum’s mission to preserve a wide range of art forms – from modern sculptures to pieces dating back to the 1970’s.
Ali Sina Sharifi
Ali Sina Sharifi, a political science major with an international concentration, is spending his summer as a senior research analyst at the Strategic Studies Institute of the US Army War College in Carlisle, PA. This internship builds on his previous experience as a research assistant at the same institution last summer. His work focuses on enhancing his knowledge of leadership, politics, international security and technology at the Army War College. He also focuses on examining government success or failure intrastate conflicts related to the study of internal conflict. This summer, he is studying the Paraguayan Civil War and the Casamance conflict in Senegal, and analyzing Colombia’s demographic shift from rural to urban. Sharifi’s role requires him to complete research and provides him with the opportunity to attend lectures and participate in field trips. His findings will be presented in a decision brief to senior leaders at the War College.
JJ Miller
JJ Miller is interning at the Historic Arch Street Meeting House in Philadelphia, PA. As a history major and a quaker, Miller found this internship to be the perfect fit. Their tasks include visitor engagement, collections inventory and developing interpretive programs. Miller independently secured this internship by contacting the executive director, Sean Connolly. They appreciate the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge from their coursework in a real-world setting. Miller’s responsibilities also include maintaining the site, assisting with public programs and handling historic textiles. At the Historic Arch Streeting Meeting House, Miller hopes to learn more about conveying complex historical narratives and the intricacies of museum operations.
Malu Takahashi
Malu Takahashi is interning as a research intern at the Strategic Studies Institute of the US Army War College in Carlisle, PA. Her role involves contributing to the Study of Internal Conflict project, which examines factors influencing government success or failure during insurgencies. Takahashi, who has lived around the world due to her father’s work, brings a unique perspective to her research. Recommended by fellow student Ali Sina Sharifi, she is excited to deepen her knowledge of international politics and military-civilian relations.
Allie Keeling
Allie Keeling is currently interning for the Rocket City Trash Panadas minor league baseball team, located in Madison, AL. Her internship involves a variety of tasks ranging from working with concessions and merchandise to participating in promotions and fan engagement activities. As a psychology major, she applies her knowledge of group interactions and child behavior in her daily work. Keeling’s responsibilities include everything from running games during the matches to assisting in the executive office when the team is away. Overall, she aims to learn about the business side of sports, community engagement and personal growth through this diverse and dynamic experience.
Page McGovern
Page McGovern’s internship with Franklin County Planning, involves compiling agricultural security area data and job shadowing within the department. As a geo-environmental science student, McGovern uses skills from their coursework, such as GIS and map reading, to contribute to local government planning. This opportunity, suggested by Dr. George Pomeroy, is particularly meaningful for McGovern as it allows them to work close to home and engage with their local community. Their tasks include attending various planning meetings, understanding the intricacies of agricultural preservation, transportation and community development. McGovern hopes to develop a comprehensive understanding of planning processes and enhance their technical and professional skills.
Click here to check out the area maps that McGovern has created during her internship.
Madilyn House
Madilyn House is an interning at Canoe Creek State Park in Hollidaysburg, PA. Her role includes teaching environmental education programs and hosting “bat watches” at one of the state’s largest bat hibernaculums. This internship, related to her geography and environmental studies coursework, was recommended by her academic department. Madilyn’s responsibilities also involve collecting GPS data and educating the public about the park’s ecosystem. She hopes to gain insight into the operations of Pennsylvania’s state parks, the role of each employee and ways to engage citizens in outdoor recreation.
Luke Rainey
Rainey is interning with the Senate Appropriations Committee in Harrisburg, PA. Throughout the course of his internship, Rainey has been applying the knowledge that he has gained from his public administration courses, and from his communication, journalism and media coursework. He aims to effectively communicate budget processes to the public. Rainey earned an internship with the Senate Appropriations Committee by leveraging his connections from his previous internship with Senator Joe Pittman, and through attending university job fairs. Now, Rainey’s goal is to broaden his understanding of state politics and expand his professional network, all while contributing to the operations of state government.
Isabel Cox
Cox is interning as an operations manager at the Target Distribution Center in Chambersburg, PA. As an Operations Manager, on a daily basis she must apply the leadership and communication skills that she has acquired from her graduate program in organizational development and leadership. Her internship responsibilities include managing team members, enforcing policies, meeting distribution goals, creating daily plans, running startups and ensuring safety standards. Cox values the mentorship and team camaraderie that she has gained through interning at Target.
Josh Myers
Josh Myers, an electrical engineering student, is an intern at Volvo in Shippensburg, PA. His responsibilities include working on AGV robots to improve workflow efficiency, building apps for data tracking, constructing speed radars for plant safety and engaging in 3D modeling and printing. Josh independently found this internship and has been able to apply knowledge from his circuits and coding classes to his projects. He aims to become more proficient with software like AutoCAD and CREO, participate in more meetings and gain a deeper understanding of engineering processes.
Click here to view some the projects Josh is working on at Volvo.
Andrew Chesnut
Andrew Chestnut, a graduate student in SU’s applied history program, is interning at the Ethan Allen Homestead in Burlington, VT. Balancing his career as a senior supplier quality engineer, Chestnut is diving into museum education and historic preservation. His work includes sorting and cataloging artifacts from an archeological dig, creating an annotated bibliography for future preservation efforts, and engaging with museum visitors as a lecturer. Chestnut is excited to explore the operational aspects of non-profit museums and to experience the rich history of Vermont.
While this article highlights just a few of the summer internships taken on by Ship students, these stories serve as an example of the diverse internship opportunities available across all majors. From Gaydar’s work at the Susquehanna Art Museum to Rainey’s role with the Senate Appropriations Committee, the professional paths that students can explore are endless.
If you are a Ship student that would like to share your story, please reach out to Emma Durnin at ERDurnin@ship.edu.
