Author: Stacey C. Laniewski

This summer, I was fortunate enough to have completed my internship at Pardo & Associates CPA’s. Throughout the entire experience, the most rewarding part of my internship was meeting the goals I had set for myself and making strong relationships with the people at Pardo’s. By the end of my internship, my goal was to become more knowledgeable in the finance/accounting field. I have achieved this and now have a deeper understanding of the behind-the-scenes within an accounting firm. I am very fortunate to have built a relationship with the wonderful people at the firm, who made this new and exciting experience run smoothly.

As for the most challenging part of this whole experience, I would say asking for help in certain situations was the hardest. I tried my best to complete tasks on my own without needing any assistance, thinking it showed signs of a good intern without needing to bother them. Toward the last few weeks of this experience, I quickly realized that not asking questions was my biggest mistake, and as an intern, you are there to learn and not have everything all figured out. Overall, I am incredibly grateful for this experience. I had the opportunity to meet great people and learn more about the field I hope to pursue a career in.

This summer I was able to learn more about what it is like to have research as a full time job.  I was able to get more experience in reading scientific literature, as well as running an experiment. I was also able to experience the ups and downs of research. When our first trial did not yield significant results, I was able to dissect out the nerve cord of the crayfish.

The most rewarding part of the internship was constantly learning. I enjoyed learning about crayfish husbandry, the effects of NSAIDs, and data collecting. I also learned how much planning goes on behind the scenes of a new project. This internship allowed me to focus on reading literature without having all the other distractions during the semester.

Some of the challenges I faced during the semester were scheduling and isolation. I found being in the lab to be isolating at times. In this internship, I was able to work at whichever hours I wanted for the most part. I struggled to find a strict schedule of when to go to the lab or when to go to the library. This was also one of the reasons why I found myself feeling isolated. I typically spend a few hours each week cleaning out the crayfish habitats at night which means I would spend a few hours each week being in the lab where no one was around. While sometimes I appreciated the silence, sometimes it felt eerie to be in LSC without seeing other students studying for exams.

I know that labs typically have more people working in them which keeps me hopeful in pursuing a job in research. I did, however, realize that I would like to gain some more experience in a lab setting before pursuing a Ph.D. Overall, I am so grateful to be given the opportunity to experience what full time research looks like, and I can’t wait to continue my work with crayfish during the school year.

The most rewarding part of my time with the Morris County Prosecutors Office Fugitive Unit was contributing directly to investigations that led to locating and apprehending individuals with outstanding warrants. Compiling detailed background workups, reviewing case files, and gathering intelligence gave me a clear sense of how my work supported real operational outcomes. Working alongside seasoned detectives allowed me to learn advanced investigative techniques, both in the field and through digital forensics. I also gained valuable exposure to specialized tools such as Magnet AXIOM and Cellebrite, which enhanced my understanding of modern investigative methods. Seeing my contributions play a role in advancing cases—and knowing those efforts ultimately enhanced public safety—was an experience that solidified my commitment to a career in law enforcement.

The most challenging aspect was adapting to the fast-paced, unpredictable nature of fugitive operations. Each case presented unique circumstances, requiring quick decision-making, strong attention to detail, and the ability to navigate incomplete or rapidly changing information. Balancing the urgency of locating suspects with the need to maintain strict procedural and safety standards was a constant test of my focus and adaptability. This experience taught me how to remain calm under pressure, trust the investigative process, and think critically even in high-stakes situations—skills that will benefit me throughout my career.

I have been interning at Herald Community Newspapers since late May, and have gained so much valuable experience because of it. To be honest, the whole internship was extremely rewarding, and I have never been prouder of myself. However, there are some parts that stick out, one being that four of my stories were chosen by the senior editor to be published on the front page of the newspaper. This is an incredible, sought-after accomplishment in the journalism world and something I did not think would happen while I was interning. It felt awesome to see my front page stories in the newspapers being sold at the delis, diners, and pharmacies in my area. It was also nice to be able to show my family and friends what I have been working on when the articles were published.

The most challenging part of my internship was adhering to a certain type of writing style while working on articles. When writing for news, journalists write in Associated Press (AP) Style, which is very different when compared to writing in standard American English. Sometimes I would forget some of the rules of AP Style, or write in a mixture of AP Style and the standard way of writing. When the senior editor caught these mistakes, she would explain the corrections to me, which helped me improve. Writing is the cornerstone of journalism, and is the most important skill in the profession. Though I am far from a perfect writer, my internship at Herald Community Newspapers helped me achieve my main goal for the internship, which was to improve my writing.

Looking back on my internship at the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education (CFSRE), I found both rewarding moments and challenges that shaped my experience. The most rewarding part of my internship was defending my 53-page case report in moot court. I compiled all of the results from the procedures I had done and took time analyzing and interpreting the data. Additionally, I researched relevant scientific articles about my mock case sample to gain a deeper understanding of my findings. In the courtroom setting, I had to communicate the technical lab results in a way so that people without a science background could understand clearly, such as a jury. Furthermore, I defended my work and answered challenging questions under pressure, just as a real expert witness would in a trial. Throughout this experience, I was able to stand in the shoes of a real forensic scientist, from the moment I obtained the evidence all the way to the end when I testified my results.

The most challenging part was meeting the high expectations required in both the scientific and legal aspects of toxicology. Every step in the process had to be performed with precision and accuracy, from instrument calibration to result documentation and everything in between. I quickly came to understand that producing results which are both scientifically valid and admissible in court requires meticulous attention to detail. Successful forensic work depends on maintaining integrity, applying critical thinking, and demonstrating strong organizational skills throughout the scientific process.

Reflecting on my time at CFSRE, I realize how much this internship has pushed me to learn and grow. I built valuable technical skills, grew more confidence, and experienced what it means to work as a forensic scientist. This experience truly gave me a sense of accomplishment and self-assurance I’ll carry into my career, and I feel well prepared to take on the next chapter.

Interning with the Mobile Response Stabilization Services was truly an amazing opportunity. Between going on dispatches and court cases, completing various typed documentation, filling information into databases, and completing follow up calls to track the progress of families, I am grateful to have learned so much and gained these type of professional experiences. Interacting with families in crisis provided a new perspective on the diversity of support and services that each individual needs. While I feel that all the work that I did benefitted me in some way, whether it be strengthening my skills or expanding my knowledge on social services, I have to say that the most rewarding part was getting the opportunity to see clients progress and stabilize. Attending a dispatch for a youth in crisis and later receiving a follow-up call that they are doing better is a meaningful reminder of why this work is so important.

One of the most challenging parts of this internship was the amount of detail that goes into documentation and databases. The procedures can be extremely tedious, and I often found myself with case-specific information that I would have to ask questions about. Over time, I was able to find confidence in my work. I would develop strategies, such as making notes inputting specific details so I could refer back to if I encountered it again.

Following this, I am proud to say that I was also given the opportunity to collaborate with other interns on a project that would benefit both the staff and the families they work with. The first part of the project was a detailed handout for families to understand certain terms or acronyms commonly used in crisis intervention.  We not only wanted to improve the effectiveness of communication between families and staff, but increase the trust and confidence that clients have in our services. The second part of the project was a log of outpatient services in Morris and Sussex counties. We made it extremely thorough, providing details relating to location, specific specialties, what insurance was taken, if they provide virtual treatment, and more. Our goal was to provide a faster and more effective way for staff to locate a suitable therapist or behavioral assistant for the families they serve. I am extremely grateful to have been given the opportunity to have a lasting impact on the department. This internship benefitted my professional, academic, and personal developments, and I deeply appreciate the experiences I’ve gained and staff and supervisors who supported me.

I have successfully completed my internship with the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office, and I am incredibly grateful for the experience and the memories I made there. I had the opportunity to meet and connect with amazing attorneys and interns who all share my passion for the law. Being surrounded by like-minded individuals was truly inspiring and has only strengthened my desire to become a lawyer.

This internship was extremely rewarding, as it allowed me to fully immerse myself in the daily responsibilities of a lawyer. I quickly learned that being a lawyer isn’t just about being present in the courtroom. There is a long and detailed process that takes place before a case even goes to trial. As prosecutors, we hold the burden of proof and must demonstrate, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the defendant is guilty. There are many rules, deadlines, and procedures that must be followed to meet this standard. I also came to understand how much research and paperwork is involved behind the scenes. Attorneys must be overprepared than underprepared, because you never know what a judge might ask for. I also came to understand how essential time management and organization are to being an effective attorney. Many Assistant District Attorneys juggle multiple cases at once, so they must stay within strict time limits and keep track of every case detail. Paying close attention to even the smallest elements is crucial to building a strong case.

One of the biggest challenges of the job was the emotional toll it can take. I worked closely with an attorney who specialized in special victims’ cases, which meant I often had to review very graphic and emotional material. It is essential to separate your emotions from your responsibilities. As difficult as it may be, objectivity is a key element of being an attorney. Overall, I am very grateful for the opportunity to intern at the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office. I learned so much during my time there and feel proud of everything I was able to accomplish. This experience helped me better understand the legal field and confirmed my passion for becoming a lawyer.

One of the most rewarding parts of my internship is completing many projects that I can use for the future and just be happy with. I loved being able to watch back the videos I made throughout the summer and see my portfolio build up. It was really a fun journey to see all the different recipes Christina had in store and slowly build my style into the videos. At first, I tried to stick to the template very literally, but by now I’m able to add my own ideas to the videos (and Christina has loved the input!).

It was also rewarding to see myself get so comfortable with Premiere Pro. I’ve been editing videos since high school, but I never tried Premiere (it’s daunting and expensive!). Having skills in the industry standard is crucial in giving me the confidence and comfortability in being able to say I can work in the program most professionals would expect.

The most challenging part of this internship would be the eventual repetitiveness of it. I followed the same format for every video and created 3-4 videos a week. Because of this challenge, I was able to find new and creative aspects to add to each project, but in the end, I had a template to follow. I’m sure there are many people in the creative industry that are able to use their skills to create similar projects repeatedly, so I enjoyed the chance to incorporate some new and different things into my internship.

Overall, I had a great time working for Christina for my internship with It Is A Keeper. It was something different for me and I really got in the groove at times. The one big lesson I learned this summer is that I love to socialize and collaborate with my work. I love to hear input from those around me and be inspired by what others in my field are doing. With that said, I would love to do editing work as a side job or personal gig, and to create my own projects!

Here are a couple of my favorite videos I’ve made this summer:

California Sushi Roll Salad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tii5qbOr4IY

Pineapple Fluff: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHyK7CLis5Y

Through my research in Dr. Randich’s lab, I hope to continue developing the skills and experiences that will help me build a future in biomedical research. I’ve been working in her lab since the beginning of the Fall 2024 semester, nearly two semesters now. During that time, I’ve gained a solid foundation in basic lab techniques and grown more confident working in a research setting. This internship will allow me to take my involvement a step further and allow me to build upon my laboratory skills.

One of my goals is to strengthen my understanding of specific techniques we use in the lab, including WGA staining, the Kirby-Bauer assay, electroporation for bacterial transformation, microscopy, and more. I also hope to improve my ability to think critically about experiments and data collection, which is something I’ve already started learning through my time in the lab.

I also hope to learn how to structure a research investigation, including writing an abstract, collecting and analyzing data, and presenting my findings. With Dr. Randich’s guidance, I plan to present at the 2025 Phages Conference, which would be a really exciting chance to share my work with the scientific community.

Overall, this internship is helping me take foundational steps toward my long term goal of working in molecular and cellular biology research. It’s giving me the tools, confidence, and direction I need as I continue preparing for a career in medicine and science.

Eduardo Diazgranados

Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, 2026

This summer, I am interning at the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education (CFSRE) with a discipline in Toxicology. For the first two weeks, I completed an educational online course which gave me an in-depth background of different toxicological practices. For the next four weeks, I will be working individually on my own mock casework in the lab, performing analytical tests and using instrumentation that is used in actual forensic laboratories. Lastly, I will be testifying my results in a moot court to gain insight as to how forensics applies in a court of law. I am looking forward to this opportunity because it allows me to dive deep into the realm of forensics and will allow me to gain a broader understanding of various disciplines in the field.

During my internship, I am excited to gain hands-on experience in the lab by experimenting with various equipment and instrumentation, such as GC-MS and LC-MS (Gas/Liquid Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry). Additionally, learning how to identify and quantify substances in biological samples using these instruments will give me an understanding of how it can be interpreted both medically and legally. I also will learn how forensic labs maintain accuracy through quality control, and how they maintain legal requirements through chain of custody. My goal is to develop these numerous skills and become more knowledgeable through this learning experience. Additionally, gaining a sense of how the field works day to day will help me figure out what area of forensics I would like to specialize in. Overall, I am excited to see where this internship takes me as I prepare for my professional career as a forensic scientist.

Rachael Beehler

Forensic Chemistry, 2026