Hottest Summer Internships: 28 Interns Share Their Takeaways & Advice
“Work hard, believe in yourself and ASK QUESTIONS. When someone makes you think you can’t do it, prove them wrong and exceed their expectations instead. ”
In case you’ve missed it: We’ve been recapping the “Hottest Summer Internships” over the past week. Check out our podcast episodes with 5 of the students highlighted below, plus a conversation with a hiring manager, Aurora Davis, who is a Senior Manager of Corporate Administration at Comcast Corporation.
In the midst of a global pandemic, students have persevered and pushed their professional aspirations further by gaining relevant experience with noteworthy companies. In this article, we’re profiling 28 of those tenacious and talented students below talking about their internship experiences across real estate, aviation, nursing, tech, finance, and more. Keep reading to get their advice and learn their key takeaways from working this summer!
Cadie DiGiambattista,
Rowan University
Internship Organization: Legislative District office for a Senator and two Assembly members in South Jersey
Position: Intern
Advice and key takeaways: Work hard, believe in yourself and ASK QUESTIONS. When someone makes you think you can’t do it, prove them wrong and exceed their expectations instead. I started in an office with no industry experience where I was extremely overwhelmed and felt like I did not deserve to be there, I worked hard countlessly for months on end, refused to give up and over a year later they not only provided me with multiple raises and multiple extensions on my internship, but have asked me to stay on board, I now work two full-time jobs. On top of my normal responsibilities, I directly oversee the training of new interns and I tell them these exact mantras all the time.
Internship Organization: NASA
Position: Launch Services Program Business Office (Contract Management)
Advice and key takeaways: Take the bull by the horns. Get out there, and do it now; stop waiting around. It doesn’t matter if you think you’re unqualified or a little scared. I would say just go for it - you never know.
Pssst… In case you missed it, Mya’s internship was highlighted on the podcast — listen to her experience from her remote internship for NASA here.
Timothy Murphy, Drexel University
Internship Organization: PECO facilities and real estate
Position: Sales and leases/ Acquisition and taxes
Advice and key takeaways: Obviously working remotely is unorthodox. I suggest keeping an open mind when entering any co-op. It may not be the most interesting or involved job but you can learn skills and more importantly life advice and what you want out of a job. You may learn more about yourself through bad experiences rather than good ones.
Christie Lawless, University of Alabama
Internship Organization: University of Alabama
Position: Marketing Research Intern
Advice and key takeaways: My advice for you is to complete as many internships as possible before you graduate. Not only will having more internships equip you with more skills and help you further establish what you want in a career, but it will also help build your network before starting your career search.
Dhillon Welsh
Internship Organization: Ciright
Position: Business Analyst
Advice and key takeaways: Ask lots of questions. More specifically, ask questions to figure out how your job adds value to the company you are working for and why it exists in the first place. If you know the purpose behind your job and the way in which it generates revenue, you can innovate and offer more meaningful contributions in the workplace.
Jessica M. Beck, Rowan University
Internship Organization: Bowman & Company LLP
Position: Intern (Tax Services Group and Commercial Services Department)
Advice and key takeaways: My biggest takeaway from my internship is to always be willing to take on a new task, even if it is something you have not done before. New tasks are new learning opportunities. If you find that you are in over your head, just ask questions!
Corinne Nagle, Temple University
Internship Organization: Office Practicum
Position: Support Team Intern
Advice and key takeaways: Never be afraid to travel outside of your comfort zone, especially in the realm of job searching. Being an introvert at heart, the idea of taking on a position that entailed cold calling clients for 8 hours a day was incredibly intimidating to me. I almost didn't apply for this reason, and as it turns out, I could not be happier that I didn’t let my bounds of comfortability keep me from gaining such a valuable skill. Now, I don't even think twice about picking up the phone.
Anthony Duran, Rowan University
Internship Organization: Centri Business Consulting Inc,
Position: Accounting Intern I & II
Advice and key takeaways: Ask any question you may have about assignments given to you and try to understand why it is relevant to your company’s operations. Be a sponge and absorb all information that all co-workers can give including skills, opinions, and work ethic. Get to know as many people as you can and offer assistance if needed. Networking can open many opportunities that you could use in your professional career. Try to get involved with workplace events and communicate with people as much as you can. Request feedback on your role and any work you have completed to see what you could improve on. Talk to the manager or supervisor about whether your expectations are being met or not. Having an idea of your performance can help you focus on what could use improvement.
Co-op: JP Morgan Chase & Co.
Position: Financial Control Analyst
Advice and key takeaways: Do not let this global pandemic deter you from doing well in your next job; it's all about putting your best foot forward, willing to learn, and asking questions. The glass is always half full, not half empty.
Pssst… In case you missed it, Ronak’s internship was highlighted on the podcast — listen to his episode about JP Morgan Chase here.
Internship Organization: Boeing
Position: Reliability and Maintainability Engineer
Advice: Make the most of every opportunity presented to you. Get excited about taking on new challenging tasks, and always be eager to do more.
Pssst… In case you missed it, Avery’s internship was highlighted on the podcast — listen to her experience from her Drexel Co-ops with Boeing and Sunoco here.
Madison Sheeran, Penn State University
Internship Organization: DISH Network
Position: Digital Marketing Media Intern
Advice and key takeaways: I had never seen myself working in the digital advertising space because we just never really learned about it, so when I became a digital advertising intern at Dish I was worried that I was beginning to veer too far from my path. I ended up loving the work I did and, fast forward to now, those experiences set me apart in getting the full-time job I’ve always wanted. My biggest takeaway was that your career path is never going to be exactly what you thought it would be, but if you keep an open mind it just might be for the better.
Tyler McDougall
Internship Organization: Interior Design Startup
Position: Interior Designer
Advice and key takeaways: I learned to always explore your passion professionally. And never settle for anything!
Carmel Monckton
Internship Organization: Cohere
Position: Design Intern
Advice and key takeaways: It's really hard to pick 1-2 main takeaways from my time with Cohere, I’ve learned so much. I think that seeing such a strong, female run, female founded company create such an impact in Philadelphia has been an incredible learning experience. I also have learned the importance of conscious impact within a company, and how important it is to create with intention, especially with design. I’ve learned to always dig deep and connect with the client so you can really go above and beyond when creating a brand identity, because through that you’re really telling their story, and with that you want to tell their truth in the most authentic way possible.
Internship Organization: Accenture
Position: Strategy and Consulting Analyst
Advice and key takeaways: (1) Expand your network and build your brand by developing meaningful connections and putting your best foot forward in even the most menial endeavor (2) Be inquisitive and ask questions—even if you are sure, just to be certain.
Pssst… In case you missed it, Ezenezie’s internship was highlighted on the podcast — listen to his experience from his Internship at Accenture here.
Danielle Mervine, Drexel University
Internship Organization: Independence Blue Cross
Position: Medicare Broker Sales Support Specialist
Advice and key takeaways: A key takeaway that I learned through my co op experience would be adapting to change. I had the opportunity to help plan IBX's annual Broker Kick Off, which is usually hosted in person. With the uncertainty of the pandemic, we had to switch our plans and host the event virtually. Despite this change, the event was a huge success with the highest attendance yet!
Gianna Briglia
Internship Organization: Toll Brothers (America's Luxury Home Builder)
Position: Studio Production Artist
Advice and key takeaways: First, Don't be afraid to step out of your position and ask to work with other departments. It helps you get a better idea of a company as a whole, and you meet a lot more people that can connect you to the perfect role within a company or industry. Secondly, Adaptability and flexibility is key, especially in design and in a time such as now with Covid. Going remote has some challenges, but I've found that it also opens people up to ask more questions and be more willing to make an extra effort to stay connected!
Sami Andrews
Internship Organization: GlaxoSmithKline
Position: Controls Transparency and Operations
Advice and key takeaways: Dealing with any opportunity, especially professional, can be tough during COVID. Things are changing and we’re having to navigate these as an inaugural class. It’s more important than ever now to focus on networking and building relationships while remote and to learn from the experience of adapting to a new landscape.
Carmen DiPippo, Penn State University
Internship Organization: PEOPLE Magazine
Position: Editorial Intern
Advice and key takeaways: The biggest takeaway from my internship at PEOPLE was the connections I made within the industry. To my surprise, everyone at PEOPLE was very willing to help the interns and provide feedback, but I also had enough projects where I felt like I was contributing something to the magazine.
Clark Burget
Internship Organization: Ciright
Position: Business Analyst
Advice and key takeaways: It is important that you prepare yourself and have discipline to work effectively from home. However it works best for you, set aside a time and place for applying yourself and getting work done. Having a consistent routine and dedicated workspace makes it easiest to work efficiently, regardless of if you're working in an office or your bedroom
Ashna Singh
Internship Organization: MicroSociety
Position: Business and Content Analyst
Advice and key takeaways: Working at MicroSociety has definitely helped me see the path to my future more clearly and it's been so great working with everyone. I do feel very valued and as a teenager seeing that other people value my advice, ideas, and contributions is an amazing feeling.
Kylee McGuigan, Penn State University
Internship Organization: Philadelphia Magazine
Position: Editorial Intern
Advice and key takeaways: My internship with Philadelphia magazine was one of the most beneficial experiences I had as an undergrad. While at Philly mag, I learned how to write, report, interview, fact check and, most importantly, discover my love for journalism. The passion I have for writing, especially on topics that intrigue me, was really brought to life during this internship, and I’m forever grateful for the experience. My biggest advice to anyone looking for an internship is to truly dedicate yourself, and your time, to the things that make you happiest. In the end, you want to be happy doing what you’re doing so that you can produce the best work possible.
Marissa Hill, Widener University, Delaware Law School
Internship Organization: Vaughan Baio & Partners
Position: Law Clerk
Advice and key takeaways: I know it sounds cliché, but hard work truly does pay off. There is nothing more rewarding than working hard and seeing your final project come together.
Natasha Filipov, Drexel University
Internship Organization: Glaxo Smith Kline
Position: Controls Transparency Operations Intern
Advice and key takeaways: Be open to learning everything and anything you can while interning. Network as much as possible and try to immerse yourself in the culture of the company (even while working remote)!
Gabriella Rizzo, Drexel University
Internship Organization: Cashman and Associates
Position: Intern
Advice and key takeaways: I’ve had the pleasure of working at a PR and marketing Co-Op this summer which was set entirely virtually at the start of Spring 2020. Along with the abundance of information I learned and obtained while working alongside my incredible and skillful mentors, I also had to consider taking on a completely new perspective in how I learn and work when introducing the virtual work environment into my schedule. Luckily for me, I never felt limited from being completely virtual since I was always kept busy with plenty to do and learn. The only true limitations of working virtually when in PR is the absence of human interaction and in-person social connection made between both the client and my teammates. Nevertheless, I have been beyond blessed to work and learn from an amazing and experienced company like Cashman and feel blessed to take all that I’ve learned from those I’ve met and worked alongside. These incredibly skillful and professional individuals and mentors have exposed me to so much throughout my time as a PR and Marketing Intern and I am fortunate enough to have ironically gained such a “hands on'' learning experience while being completely virtual. Forever Grateful.
Grace Petrongolo, Drexel University
Internship Organization: Stamm Development Group
Position: Real Estate Development Intern
Advice and key takeaways: Never stop working towards your goals. In real estate, for example, there will always be “no”s and obstacles. You just have to make things work, identify opportunities, and be your best.
Emily Paulino
Internship Organization: Goldman Sachs: Private Wealth Management Division and Change Management and Global Intelligence
Position: PWM Analyst
Advice and key takeaways: Working in such a fast paced and competitive industry, I learned many things from many different people. However, if I had to choose my greatest takeaway, I would say was learning how to quickly deliver tasks with little instruction efficiently. With this I was also able to gain confidence within my own work.
Internship Organization: Amazon
Position: Amazon Web Services, Demand generation sales intern
Advice and key takeaways: (1) Any experience is good experience. (2) Keep applying to opportunities because someone will take a chance on you.
Pssst… In case you missed it, Joey’s internship was highlighted on the podcast — listen to his experience from his Amazon Internship here.
Kayla Homan, DeSales University
Internship Organization: Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
Position: Nurse Extern - Labor and Delivery
Advice and key takeaways: Treat your patients, clients, coworkers, or anyone you encounter, with respect and dignity. Embrace the differences of others and always be open to learn new things whether it be about one’s culture, religion, or certain way of life.
