Month: June 2026

This summer, I am excited to begin my internship with NYS Unified Court System for the 9th district. I have been paired with family court judge Honorable Andrea Composto. As someone who hopes to attend law school and pursue a legal career, I see this as an incredible opportunity to learn about the legal system, especially getting to see the day to day life of a judge and all the work and decisions that they have to handle.

The 9th district of NY serves around 2 million people, so the judges do a lot to serve the community. One of the things I am most excited about is gaining a better understanding of how the court system works on a daily basis. I hope to observe courtroom proceedings, learn about the responsibilities of judges and court staff, and see how legal decisions are made.

Family Court handles matters that can have a major impact on people’s lives, so I am interested in learning how judges carefully consider the facts and law when reaching decisions. I also hope to learn more about how lawyers prepare cases in order to bring these matters up to the judge, and then how the judge uses these facts in order to render her decision.

I believe this internship will have a significant impact on my career path because it will provide valuable exposure to the practice of law before I hopefully attend law school. I hope this experience will strengthen my understanding of the justice system and further confirm my desire to become an attorney.

 

– Liz Ortega, Psychology & Political Science 2027

During my internship with the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office, I hope to gain hands-on experience and knowledge of the day-to-day life working in law enforcement. I have decided that I want to work in law enforcement; however, there are so many different areas, sectors, and levels that I can choose from. I know I want to be a police officer; however, I am unsure whether federal, state, or local law enforcement would be the best fit for me. Growing up in Sussex County, I was thrilled to have been offered an internship with the Sheriff’s Office. This internship will allow me the opportunity to explore a different side of law enforcement, compared to a traditional police department, and specifically see if the work of the Sheriff’s Office is something that I could imagine myself doing. Through this internship, I will also have the opportunity to work in each department of the office, including patrol, K9, home detention, investigations, emergency management, and fire marshal. Getting first-hand experience with these divisions will give me a well-rounded understanding of how a law enforcement agency operates. Observing the unique skills required for each role will help me identify where my own strengths and interests lie and see what best suits me. The possibilities are endless in law enforcement, and this internship will impact my career path by helping me to narrow down that scope. It will provide me the chance to see what the job and lifestyle are like working for a smaller, more local Sheriff’s office and allow me the chance to explore various departments to see what fits me best. Ultimately, this experience will serve as the foundation for my future career decisions, transforming my broad passion for public service into a more specific career plan. By the time I complete this internship, I expect to have the clarity and confidence needed to make a thoughtful and informed decision on what law enforcement career would suit me best.

– Hannah Horn, Cybercrime & Homeland Security 2027

This summer, I am interning as a Cybersecurity Analyst Intern with The University of Scranton’s Information Security team. Through this internship, I hope to gain a deeper understanding of how cybersecurity professionals protect organizations from cyber threats and manage security in a real-world environment. As a Cybercrime and Homeland Security student, I have learned about topics such as network security, cyber investigations, risk management, and cyber intelligence in the classroom. This internship provides an opportunity to see how those concepts are applied in practice while working alongside experienced professionals. I am looking forward to learning more about the day-to-day responsibilities of cybersecurity analysts and gaining exposure to the tools and technologies used to defend organizational systems and data.

During my internship, I am excited to gain hands-on experience with areas such as vulnerability management, security monitoring, threat detection, incident response, and cybersecurity awareness initiatives. I hope to learn how security teams identify potential risks, investigate suspicious activity, and implement solutions to strengthen an organization’s security posture. In addition to technical skills, I am interested in learning how cybersecurity professionals collaborate with employees across different departments to promote security best practices. Developing both technical knowledge and professional communication skills will help me become a more effective cybersecurity practitioner.

I believe this internship will have a significant impact on my career path because it will allow me to apply classroom knowledge in a professional setting while helping me identify areas of cybersecurity that interest me most. As someone who is passionate about cybersecurity and cyber investigations, I hope this experience will provide valuable insight into potential career opportunities and help prepare me for future roles in the field. Overall, I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals, expand my skill set, and continue building a strong foundation for a career in cybersecurity.

I created this tri-fold display for an Information Security event held in the DeNaples Center to educate students, faculty, and staff about the importance of cybersecurity and information security. The display focused on several key topics, including password safety, recognizing phishing attempts, safe Wi-Fi practices, and mobile device security. The goal was to provide attendees with practical tips they could apply in their daily lives to better protect their personal information and online accounts. Through this project, I gained experience communicating cybersecurity concepts to a non-technical audience and learned the importance of security awareness in helping prevent cyber threats.

– Alex Steele, Cybercrime & Homeland Security 2027

Going into my internship in the Emergency Department, I’m really excited to see what social work actually looks like in a fast-paced, real-world setting. I already work in the ED as a tech, so I’ve had a firsthand look at how quickly things move and how many roles come together to care for patients. That’s a big reason why I wanted to intern with an ED social worker.  It feels like the perfect starting point to explore where I want to go with my psychology degree. Classes give a solid foundation, but I’m ready to see how everything comes together in real time. The ED is truly where clinical care and support services meet behind the scenes—it’s not always visible, but it’s incredibly important.

One of my biggest goals is to strengthen my communication and build better connections with patients. In the ED, conversations aren’t always long, but they matter a lot. I want to feel more confident in how I listen, ask questions, and respond, while also paying closer attention to body language and the small cues that can say so much. I’ve started to realize that even simple kindness can make a huge difference, especially when someone is stressed, overwhelmed, or in crisis.

I’m also excited to learn how social workers assess patient needs, whether it’s mental health concerns, housing challenges, or lack of support. Even tools like resource booklets play a big role in helping patients connect with support after they leave.

Overall, I’m really looking forward to everything this experience has to offer. I’m hoping to grow, build confidence, and walk away with a clearer understanding of my path in the helping field.

A resource booklet used to help connect patients with community support and services after their visit.

– Peyton Germaine, Psychology 2029