Month: August 2024

My summer internship at Berger Hirschberg Strategies has been incredible, offering me a firsthand glimpse into the fast-paced world of political fundraising and consulting. I was drawn to BHS because of its alignment with my interests in politics, finance, nonprofit work, and networking, and through this internship have had the opportunity to immerse myself in the intricacies of political campaigning, donor outreach, and the strategic aspects of running successful political initiatives.  

One of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences during my time at BHS was a team-based challenge, in which all of the interns were divided into competing groups to simulate a fundraising strategy for a hypothetical client. This exercise was a deep dive in scouring FEC data, demographic data, and creating a financial strategy for our “client”. Although I had some prior experience with the software/tools that we used, this project allowed me to fully understand how BHS manages campaign data and utilizes it to strategize donor outreach. The competitive aspect of the project pushed me to think critically and work collaboratively with my team, ultimately enhancing my skills in data management and campaign strategy.  

Throughout the internship, I was also given the chance to engage in various tasks that ranged from compiling donor lists to visiting the Longworth Offices on Capitol to distribute campaign materials. These hands-on experiences allowed me to develop my interpersonal and soft skills, which will serve me well in any future job. Throughout the duration of the internship, the BHS team brought in guest speakers for the other interns and me to network with. These experiences not only broadened my understanding of Democratic political campaigns but also reinforced my passion for public service and social issues.  

As I reflect on my time at BHS, I am confident that this internship has provided me with the knowledge, skills, and experiences needed to pursue a career in political consulting or finance. Whether it was navigating the DC corporate culture or attending networking events with political leaders, every moment was an opportunity to learn and grow. This summer has solidified my ambition to work within the political realm, and I am excited to apply what I’ve learned as I continue to pursue my career goals. 

Bailey Cornish, Political Science

 

This week, I concluded my 10-week long internship with Church World Service. I cannot even begin to express my gratitude for the people I met as a Children and Youth intern. My coworkers were so patient and kind, truly dedicated to improving the lives of those they serve. Together, we provided services to more than 50 refugee children from around the world, from countries such as Ukraine, Afghanistan, Venezuela, and Syria. Working directly with these children, I communicated in both English and Spanish about their experiences, traumas, and their changing lives. It was an honor to be a part of these children’s journeys towards growth and new lives. 

As head intern, I communicated with the other interns and volunteers to plan out the day’s activities. I also spoke directly with case managers about the progress of the children, or if any behavioral concerns existed. Alongside a youth case manager, I also researched college preparation and learning strategies for immigrants and refugees hoping to attend a U.S college. I am so grateful for all the work I had the privilege of being a part of with CWS.

This experience has certainly prepared me for a career working with children, and I feel confident moving forward with graduate school applications. Thank you to the Roche Family Center for Career Development and all my fellow Royal Experience Interns for the support this summer!  

Madeline Williams, Psychology & Philosophy

During my time as a therapy intern at Island Dolphin Care (IDC) in Key Largo this summer, the most rewarding and fulfilling experience was witnessing the profound impact dolphin-assisted therapy has on our clients and their families. Over the course of six weeks, I saw firsthand how our therapy sessions—both in the classroom and in the water—significantly improved the daily living skills of our clients. Understanding the challenges they’ve faced and seeing how IDC has empowered them to make meaningful progress has been truly inspiring. As a person with a disability myself, it was welcoming to see a fully accessible facility that offers a space where clients and their families can enjoy their time without the usual constraints of their conditions. Having my own challenges daily, and having a lense into what these clients experience, made the experience even more rewarding. I feel deeply proud and grateful to have been part of the IDC family this summer. 

The most challenging aspect of this internship was only having five days to focus on each client’s targeted goals. Most clients participate in a five-day program that combines classroom and swim sessions, and while it’s inspiring to watch their progress, it’s always hard to part ways at the end of the week. It was also difficult to say goodbye to the remarkable clients, dedicated staff, and incredible dolphins I had the privilege of working with. I gained invaluable knowledge from the animal care team about marine life and the complexities of working with dolphins during therapy sessions. Throughout this experience, I’ve interacted and got to know clients from all over the world, including Spain, Poland, and Germany. Learning about their diverse backgrounds and languages has greatly enhanced my cultural sensitivity. It’s amazing to witness how the dolphins leave a lasting impression on everyone they meet. 

This internship has continued my decision to pursue a career in animal-assisted therapy as an occupational therapist, and I’m excited to see where this path will lead me. I wish I had more time at Island Dolphin Care, as it truly feels like a second home to me. My time there has been invaluable, teaching me so much about myself and how to grow as an occupational therapist. I will always be grateful for the opportunity to work with the incredible team of therapists, animal care specialists, and the seven dolphins I was fortunate to work with, including Fiji, Tashi, Dalai, Squirt, Sarah, Bella, and Grace. Thank you to the Royal Experience Program for making this life changing internship possible. 

Justin Matzner, Occupational Therapy

I have learned so many valuable skills during my internship at Indraloka Animal Sanctuary/NEPA Rescue Clinic. I’ve intubated animals, improved my venipuncture skills, monitored anesthesia, and learned so much more. I think everything I’ve learned and was able to accomplish has been the most rewarding part of my internship. Also, an extremely rewarding aspect has been the animals I’ve helped. We often have shelter pets come in that have been neglected in some way and seeing the help we provide, and their health improve after care, has been very fulfilling.  

Not to say that this also does not come with challenges. I think the most challenging part for me was watching the neglect cases come in and seeing the status of the animals’ health, or lack thereof. We’ve seen some animals come in with severe hair loss due to flea allergy or upper respiratory infections that cause distress. Therefore, it is hard to see these animals suffering from lack of care; however, watching them improve is so rewarding.  

I’ve attached some pictures of recent patients. I also have an update on the little lamb with the broken leg. We were trying to get the leg to heal after a surgery to repair it, but the leg was not showing improvement and needed to be amputated. Indraloka Sanctuary plans to raise funds for a prosthetic for Loni, because as he grows, his back leg will not be able to support his heavy weight on its own.

Julianne May, Biology

I have spent the past few months working with the Community School-Based Behavioral Health (CSBBH) team at a local elementary school. My time with the team has been an incredible learning experience. Not only have I gained and strengthened my clinical skills, but I have also made wonderful memories with the team as we progressed through the Therapeutic Summer Program.  

The most rewarding part of my internship was seeing the growth within the clients. By providing clients with psychoeducation, they can have a better understanding of their condition and work towards implementing effective coping strategies. Seeing clients build their confidence and achieve the goals they set for themselves makes the work meaningful. The attached photos show crafts the children created during the summer program. 

The most challenging part of the internship was working with the complex interconnected system of the clients’ lives. The CSBBH program aims to assist youths dealing with problems that hinder their educational growth, function within their homes, and function within their community. This requires looking holistically at the clients and their environment to understand their behaviors and challenges better. To best serve the clients, it requires not only direct work with the clients but also the cooperation of those within their support network. My time with the clients has demonstrated the truth in the proverb “It takes a village to raise a child”.  

Working alongside the CSBBH team has allowed me to work directly with clients, assist in developing treatment plans, and learn more about the profession. I am beyond grateful to the team because they have given me plenty of opportunities to learn from their expertise. Lastly, I want to express my deepest gratitude to the Roche Family Center for Career Development and the Psychology Department for granting me this opportunity. 

My-Kim Dang, Psychology

 

Over the past few months working at the Bucks County Public Defender’s Office, one of the most fulfilling parts of my experience has been learning from others. I have had the opportunity to seek advice from judges, experienced attorneys, and law school interns about being successful in the legal field. I have learned what motivates people and gained insights into various types of law, the LSAT, and strategies for being successful in law school. Without the guidance and reassurance that I have received from these individuals, I might not have gained such a valuable perspective on my career aspirations.   

Another rewarding aspect of my experiences was being able to observe how attorneys interact with clients and witnessing their success in court. I am so grateful for the opportunity to watch various trials and hearings, as shadowing has allowed me to see each attorney’s unique approach to criminal defense. Although it initially seemed daunting, the internship has left me feeling very enthusiastic about the prospect of litigating and making a difference in someone else’s life. 

The most challenging part has been hearing about the difficult circumstances that people have found themselves in. Despite the complexities of the criminal justice system, I have admired the ability of attorneys to remain empathetic and kind, while consistently putting forth their best efforts for indigent clients. Even with their heavy caseloads, I have met several experienced attorneys who have demonstrated a genuine concern for each client on top of achieving impressive results in short amounts of time. 

Chelsea Curran, Political Science