Major: Global studies and geography
Career goal: “To be a diplomat for the United States.”

Intern with Secretary of Physical Infrastructure Alcaldia de Medellin, Colombia

A student in Clark Honors College, Petrick was drawn to his opportunity with the mayor’s office of Medellin, Colombia, because he is passionate about cultural exchange. While interning, he lived with students from all over the U.S., but his work at the office was conducted entirely in Spanish. In addition to a language “crash course,” Petrick analyzed pothole and public space data, creating representations that city officials could use to identify areas for infrastructure projects.

Q: What skills did you develop during your summer experience?

“I accumulated over 200 hours of GIS practice and increased my level of Spanish tenfold! Immersion is so critical to learning a language and I came to understand that during my eight weeks in Medellin.”

Q: Who made an impact on you?

“I had one supervisor named Juan Tobon who set the tone for the office’s acceptance of my presence and integration into their work, but the culture of Medellin is one that emphasizes community over everything else and I really felt that emphasis, through consistent cultural sharing, during my time there.”

Major: Business administration
Career goal: “To return to my home state and work for a Hawaii-based company that aligns with my personal values.”

Marketing and communications intern with Zippy’s, Honolulu, Hawaii

Ishimine worked in social media and communications with Zippy’s, a restaurant chain in Hawaii and Las Vegas known for local comfort foods. During her 10 weeks with the company, she helped manage Zippy’s social media presence, influencer relations and content strategy. As the capstone to her internship, she presented recommendations of new content strategies for the restaurant’s Las Vegas target market.

Q: What skills did you gain through this internship?

“I gained valuable experience researching social media trends and learning how to adapt them to fit the Zippy’s brand. I got the chance to create content for their social platforms, which helped me develop skills in videography, editing and interviewing. I also gained important soft skills like communication and teamwork, which have been important to my professional growth.”

Q: What was the biggest lesson learned?

“Interning with Zippy’s helped me see the real-world applications of what I am learning in my classes, solidifying my passion for a career in marketing.”

Major: Business administration
Career goal: “I plan to go into operational business analytics.”

Global planner intern with Beckman Coulter Diagnostics, Brea, California

Kunde found her position by first narrowing in on a supply chain role. As someone with family members who’ve benefited from lifesaving diagnostic testing, she was inspired to apply for Beckman Coulter’s competitive internship. Connecting with UO alumni who work at the company helped her ace her application. On the job, Kunde completed data optimization projects and met with associates worldwide to learn about their roles. 

Q: What’s your advice for students seeking similar opportunities?

“LinkedIn, Handshake, job fairs and alumni are all great ways to find opportunities. The selection process does not come down to grades and what you have done on paper. Developing experience through on-campus jobs or opportunities and gaining the ability to communicate with others will set you apart from the competition.”

Q: What was the biggest lesson learned?

“Confidence is key.”

Major: Human physiology and neuroscience
Career goal: “A career where I can contribute to both clinical care and the advancement of medical science.”

Research assistant intern with Sleep & Health Applied Research Program Lab, Portland, Oregon

As a pre-med student planning to become a physician of preventative health care, De Kok has always been passionate about sleep, diet and exercise. The human physiology department connected him with an experiential learning internship in the SHARP lab, which investigates how sleep affects the brain across the lifespan and in disease. He saw how translational research lays the groundwork for improving patient care, reinforcing his commitment to a career in medicine. His main research project involved sleep staging sensors. In addition, he assisted with behavioral testing, data analysis and scoring.

Q: What did your role entail?

“Under the mentorship of Senior Research Assistant Kayla McDaniel, I worked primarily on the pre-clinical side. …Our goal was to explore a minimally invasive method for sleep recording, reducing potential trauma that could affect behavioral outcomes in studies of neurodegenerative models.”

Q: Did this experience change how you think about your chosen field?

“It highlighted the crucial role a physician plays not only in patient care but also in understanding research, particularly translational research.”

Third-year law student
Career goal: “I’m passionate about policy analysis and I aspire to promote movement lawyering.”

Wayne Morse Law fellow with the office of U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, Washington, D.C.

Prior to law school, Martinez worked in border policy with the Texas Civil Rights Project and as a congressional intern for U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley. She applied for the Wayne Morse Law fellowship because it offered policy work. In addition to her role with Bonamici’s office, she also participated in the U.S.-Asia Law Institute’s 14th annual China 101 Series for Congressional Staff and the Federal Bar Association’s Summer Law Clerk Program. 

Q: What did your role entail?

“I attended congressional briefings and hearings on a wide range of issues, prepared briefing memos, letter recommendations and hearing notes. My final memorandum examined the First Amendment implications of misgendering in elderly long-term care facilities.”

Q: What was the biggest lesson learned?

“The significant legal changes that occurred this summer made it an exciting time to study how policy and law should intersect to best serve the public. I encourage other students interested in similar work to explore new policy areas and to view politics as fundamentally about service.”

Third-year law student
Career goal: “I am extremely interested in Indian law and hope to practice in that area.”

Wayne Morse Law fellow with the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, Oregon

After serving as secretary of the UO Native American Law Students Association and competing in the organization’s moot court, Barlowe sought out a summer fellowship providing hands-on experience of exactly what an in-house counsel for a tribe does. Developing skills around contracts, grant review and legal writing, he also continued to learn about areas of law specific to tribes, such as the Indian Child Welfare Act.

Q: What drew you to this opportunity?

“The opportunity to work with an Oregon tribe in-house was too beautiful of an opportunity to pass up. I feel privileged to have been hired for the position. The challenges that tribes face are great and multifaceted but with thoughtful and diligent work from Indian law practitioners there can be a light at the end of the tunnel, we all just have to be willing to pursue it.”

Q: What advice would you give to other students seeking similar opportunities?

“Throw yourself into the work, volunteer to help wherever you can and try to absorb as much of the knowledge that is being shared with you as possible.”

Major: Business administration
Career goal: “[My internship] led me to explore a potential career in diplomacy or international relations.”

Corporate communications intern with Centurion Corporation Ltd., Singapore

As the first student in the newly launched Lundquist Singapore Internship Experience, Erspamer turned his interest in cross-cultural communication into action. Business trips to six countries broadened his worldview and taught him how to craft messages across diverse markets. Working out of a specialized accommodation development and management company Centurion Corporation’s global headquarters also provided valuable insights on adaptability and resilience. It was a positive experience for his employer, too; Centurion has already confirmed that it will host another UO intern in the summer of 2025.

Q: Who made an impact on you?

“My supervisor, Head of Corporate Communications (and UO alum) David Phey, taught me the importance of clarity and precision when communicating with diverse audiences, especially in a global company where a message has to resonate across multiple regions and cultures.” 

Q: How did the internship change your perspective?

“This experience opened my eyes to how much I connect with people and their struggles, history and politics when I travel. It has made me consider how my marketing skills can be applied to more socially impactful work.”

Major: Educational foundations
Career goal: "I want to be an elementary school teacher and start my own nonprofit organization that helps homeless and underrepresented youth."

GlobalWorks intern with SmarterMe, Singapore

Initially, Akabey hoped to participate in a study abroad program before graduation. But when she learned that she could gain professional experience through a summer internship in a different country, she embraced the opportunity. Working with SmarterMe, a nonprofit based in Singapore, helped her develop skills in problem-solving, flexibility and cross-cultural communication. The experience made her feel more confident in herself and her career plans.

Q: Who made an impact on you?

“At my internship site my supervisor Ee Ling had the biggest impact on me. She served as my mentor for the entire duration of my internship and has taught me so much on both a professional and personal level. I am forever grateful to have worked with her."

Q: What advice would you give to other students seeking similar opportunities?

“Be open minded and adaptable. Approach each challenge with a willingness to learn and adapt. Embrace the journey and be ready to step out of your comfort zone.”