Summer internships bring BW students closer to career goals

It's an accomplishment that's fist-bump worthy. The prestige of being selected for the Johns Hopkins Neuroscience Scholars Program was the perfect way for Grant Smith '23 to cap off his first year at BW.

The Centerville, Ohio, resident came to BW ready to tackle his career goal of one day pursuing an M.D./Ph.D. But, like many students, he had a hurdle to overcome.

"The first half of the first semester was a struggle for me like it is for so many other students," admitted the neuroscience-biology major. "I didn't have very good study habits, and I just couldn't figure out why I wasn't having the success I had in high school. A BW professor really helped turn things around for me. She would meet with me on a regular basis to discuss class material and study habits, and she really helped me with the transition to college."

Now, Smith has found his stride. The Johns Hopkins program is a multi-year, National Institutes of Health-funded program that provides students across the U.S. in-depth exposure to the neuroscience field. This summer, Smith will attend professional development workshops, perform 10 weeks of intensive research and network with other students. Throughout the academic year, he will receive individualized advising in his path to graduate and medical school.

Owning the Land

The Native Americans called it "The Smiles of Gods." Today, the stretch of picturesque nature goes by the name of Modoc National Forest. But for Neil Randall '23, the remote area in northeast California that is accessible only by a dirt road is his immersion into a potential career field.

The Manhattan Beach, Calif., native, who is majoring in physical activity and recreation administration, is interning with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service. He believes the internship will give him "direct job experience in wildland firefighting and prevention to determine if the Fire Service is the right career path."

Dazzling Start to Her Career Path

Hanah Walker '21 made the A-list among college students interested in law. This summer, the criminal justice major from Independence, Ohio, is among a select group of 13 undergraduate and graduate students from colleges across the U.S. to be named an intern with The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland.

Achievement is second nature to the hard-working student who graduated high school in 2018 and completed two associate degrees at Cuyahoga Community College in one year. And to make the kudo even more impressive, she's been working full time while being a BW student and proudly admits she funded her college education 100%.

"The faculty at BW have shown a genuine interest in my goals. I have a personal connection with many of my professors. It feels amazing to walk into their office or see them outside of class and have them recognize who I am." she noted with earnest appreciation.

Fortune Top 100 Workplace

Canton resident Camille Ross '21 knew she was facing tough competition to secure an internship with industry leader Hyland Software of Westlake. But being in small classes at BW gave Ross the confidence to speak her mind, ask questions and initiate leadership actions.

"Hyland is ranked one of Fortune's Top 100 Places to Work," noted Ross. "I wanted to experience working at a high revenue global tech company. The department I'm working in is the Center of Excellence, which is in charge of internal communications globally.

"I definitely credit my time with Hyland to BW. Hyland is full of bright and creative people, so naturally many of them are BW graduates," emphasized Ross, who is studying public relations at BW.

"As I start my last year of college, the experiences I've had helped me realize I need to work somewhere constantly developing and shaping. I plan on working for a media company or publication, but my end goal is to amplify the voices of others," she concluded.