The Royal Experience Summer Internship Program

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.

Rachael Beehler

Forensic Chemistry, 2026

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.

Amelia Alfano

Criminal Justice, 2026

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.

Liz Ortega

Psychology & Political Science, 2027

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

Sally Hopkins

Advertising & Public Relations, Journalism & Electronic Media, 2026

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

I recently began my summer internship at Herald Community Newspapers (or The Herald, as many call it) and have learned so much already. So far, I have written six news articles (two have been published and the remaining four will be published within the next week or two). I have been to my internship six times so far for a few hours at a time, and I’ve done some remote work on days I am off and did not go in. Though I have been attending my internship for less than a month, I feel that I have already learned a lot about journalism and the newspaper industry. However, I still have a lot of room for improvement and cannot wait to learn more from my assigned mentor, Kelsie, and the other reporters and staff at Herald Community Newspapers.

The skill I hope to improve on the most as a result of my internship is my writing. Writing is the main component in reporting. Whether I am simply typing about an event that happened earlier in the week on my computer at my desk or standing up at a local newsworthy event scribbling on a notebook, I know I need to be a good communicator through my writing. Through improving my writing skills, I hope to strengthen other areas of my life as an aspiring journalist, such as interviewing skills, critical thinking, vocabulary expansion, and communication with others.

My internship will impact my career path by exposing me to all aspects of the newspaper and reporting industry. So far, I have learned about the different jobs that keep a newspaper running smoothly and the various skill sets needed to do each job. Examples of these jobs are reporter, social media coordinator, editor, and graphics worker. This will help me tremendously in the future. I know I want to work in the news industry, and I am learning about all the potential news career paths at my internship, as well as the educational and professional steps I need to take to obtain each one.

Jane Bagatta

Advertising & Public Relations, Journalism & Electronic Media, 2027

I am currently interning at the Mobile Response Stabilization Services (MRSS) division based in Rockaway, NJ. The MRSS is a program designed to aid families in crisis and provide resources, support, and encouragement to better their situation. As an intern with the MRSS unit, I’ve been responsible for attending dispatch, shadowing Crisis Intervention Specialists, and completing follow up documentation. After more experience with this program, I will be tasked with providing follow ups on the families we provide service to. Additionally, I’m excited to say I will be getting involved with some of their outreach programs and legal department, assisting them with paperwork and attending court proceedings on behalf of Center for Family Services programs.

Through my responsibilities and things I will experience, I strive to achieve greater understanding of how to apply my learned knowledge of social injustices and issues in a real-world setting. Similarly, I would like to continue to broaden my knowledge of the systems used to identify, address, and resolve domestic problems and families in crisis. Finally, I have goals to further my personal development by enhancing my critical thinking, leadership, communication, and networking skills.

After I complete my time at the university, I am committed to attending law school and using my education to pursue a career in family and juvenile law. Achieving these goals at the MRSS will help me tremendously with my future career plans. Acquiring those first-hand experiences of the crises that families and children experience is crucial to preparing me for the social and domestic issues relating to the systems in the family that I will potentially have to face as a lawyer.

I truly love and appreciate the work that is done at this program, and I am extremely grateful that I get to be a part of and contribute to the cause and services that this division provides.

Amelia Alfano

Criminal Justice, 2026

Through my internship with the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Fugitive Unit, I hope to gain real-world experience in law enforcement and the criminal justice system. I’m especially interested in learning how the Fugitive Unit works with local, state, and federal agencies to locate and arrest individuals who are actively avoiding prosecution. Seeing how investigations, surveillance, and legal steps come together in these cases will give me a much deeper understanding than classroom learning alone can provide.

I also want to learn how case files are created, organized, and managed, as well as how legal documentation supports every part of the fugitive apprehension process. I’m curious about how the team balances the need to protect public safety while still respecting individual rights. By observing the day-to-day responsibilities of investigators and assistant prosecutors, I hope to better understand the challenges, ethical decisions, and attention to detail that this work demands.

This internship will play an important role in helping me decide which direction I want to take in my future, whether in law enforcement, prosecution, or another part of the criminal justice system. Being part of a team that plays such an important role in community safety will teach me valuable skills like report writing, communication under pressure, and critical thinking. I believe this experience will not only strengthen my commitment to a career in public service, but also give me the tools and confidence I need to succeed in it.

Anthony Knof 

Criminal Justice, 2026

This summer, I am interning at the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office. Each intern is assigned to an Assistant District Attorney. I’ve been assigned to ADA Deluca. In total, ADA Deluca is mentoring four interns, including myself. Three of them are currently in law school. I am excited to start this internship, as it offers me the opportunity to gain firsthand insight into what being a lawyer truly is like. Additionally, I get to learn about legal procedure.

So far, I’ve attended various arraignments and have begun learning courtroom terminology, such as bench warrants, arraignments, and orders of protection. One of the first things I noticed is how different the courtroom is from what we typically see on TV. There are no big dramatic entrances, everything is conducted with a high level of respect, and the process moves much slower than I had expected. I was allowed to sit in the jury box, where I had a direct view of the judge, the prosecutor, and the defense attorney. This perspective has given a look on how each role plays a part in our justice system.

I hope to learn as much as possible from this internship. By shadowing ADA Deluca and observing her daily life as a practicing attorney, I will be able to see what being a lawyer is truly like. I also benefit greatly from interacting with my fellow interns who are already in law school. They offer me advice and I often ask them questions about their experiences. Since I plan to attend law school myself, I like picking their brains about what life looks like as a law student.

Ultimately, this internship will have a significant impact on my career path. It is reinforcing the idea of committing and going to law school, as well as giving me the practical knowledge of our justice system.

Liz Ortega

Psychology & Political Science, 2027