At St. Olaf, our advisors and career coaches connect students to a menu of 5,000+ internships, undergraduate research experiences, and other hands-on opportunities at a breadth of organizations ranging from nonprofits to Fortune 500 companies, often with the support of the Piper Center for Vocation and Career.
Below, current St. Olaf students share where their internships and research experiences are taking them. Are you an Ole with an experience of your own to share? Tell us about it here!
Anna
Secor

Medical Intern
Mayo Clinic in Rochester
“As a nursing major, this internship gave me confidence in all the skills I will be performing as a nurse post-grad!”
Ioana
Popa

Undergraduate Researcher
Quantum Computing at the University of Rochester
“…this experience has allowed me to gain valuable knowledge about the experiences of graduate students at Rochester.”
Julia
Newman

Climate Resilience Fellow
Climate Generation
“This internship allowed me to understand how policy, climate change education, and community action can intersect to create meaningful change.
Matthew
Pointer

Corporate Audit Intern
Medtronic
“I will pursue a career in finance, so being exposed to the corporate and operating unit finance functions at such a large and successful company was an incredible opportunity to kick-start my career.”
Grace
Bielefeldt

Undergraduate Researcher
REU at Brown
“I’m a math major exploring postgraduate study opportunities…”
Ella
Homan

Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow
Mayo Clinic SURF Program
“I had the opportunity to work in an oncology/immunology research lab where we looked at the similarities of immunosuppression between pregnancy and cancer.”
Brian
Nevin

Intern
HealthScape Advisors
“I am passionate about making changes in a far from perfect healthcare system that exists within the United States.”
Huy
Vo Huynh

Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow
Mayo Clinic SURF program
“My dream is to become a pharmaceutical scientist in the future working on medicine, so I think this experience will help me explore my research interests and set up my path better.”
Cheng Vang, Meraf Haileslassie, Sonam Gurung, Prasiddha Shrestha

Research Assistants
CURI Program
“This research experience connects with our career path as we all have an interest in attending graduate school.”
Rinchen
Sakya

Research Assistant
North Star STEM Alliance
“I believe this trip aligns with my career goals because it offers so many ways to look at biodiversity and research.”
Abigail
Shanahan

Empowerment Center Intern
A Precious Child
“This opportunity gave me experience working with people in need in my community as well as improving my interpersonal and critical thinking skills.”
Gio
Dumont

Research Assistant
Cancer Research Project
“I am interested in pursuing medicine, particularly with an integrative and translational focus on clinical work and research.”
Azeez
Khudeeda

Project Coordinator
Progress in Peace NGO
“This invaluable experience has melded my scholarly pursuits with pressing real-world imperatives.”
Charlotte
Thomson

International Affairs Intern
The Fund for American Studies
“…I got to not only gain experience in the field of politics and international relations, but also make connections that would further me afterwards.”
Bailey
Larson

Intern
University of Nebraska State Museum
“I hope to go into paleontology in the future, and this opportunity gave me my first dig experience and hands-on experience in preparation.”
Ella
Wiggenhorn

Research Assistant
University of Nebraska Lincoln
“This summer cemented that interest and gave me experience working on developing vaccines. I would love to work in virology in the future – vaccines especially!”
Jim
Chun-Chen Lin

Research Assistant
Taiwan NextGen Foundation
“I have been working extensively toward public policy as I aspire to contribute to my country Taiwan as a policymaker in the future.”
Marissa
Lindaman

Research Assistant
Cancer Research Lab at the University of Minnesota
“This experience not only underscored the significance of research in the medical field but also provided me with the space to nurture my curiosity and gain practical insights through conducting my own research project…”
Kate
Zhylinskaya

Research Assistant
CURI Program
“CURI provided me with a two-month preview of what lies ahead, reinforcing my certainty in my chosen path as a Biotechnology and Gene editing specialist.”
Clemente
Arcuch Puig

Intern
Refresh Mental Health
“… the M&A field has been something I wanted to get into and learn more about.”
Lily
Moreschi

Intern
Jacob’s Pillow
“I hope to work in fundraising for a dance organization after graduation”
Chelsea
Hurtado

Research Intern
MAPS Station
“I have always wanted to work with animals firsthand for a very long time, and being able to work on this amazing project is a huge stepping stone for me.”
Brooke
Edberg

Data Analyst Intern
Heart of America Foundations
“This internship is a Data Analyst internship, which is one of the career paths I am interested in pursuing.”
Maia
Maras

Research Assistant
Sleep and Neurophysiology Research Lab, Mayo Clinic
“…this research gave me so many incredible opportunities, that made me realize I know what I want to do with my life.”
Emily
Hagel

Youth Learning and Enrichment Fellow
Ampact
“…I have explored what research looks like and what it could look like as a vocation. I would like to pursue a career in research and working in the Lee Lab has been a great introduction to research.”
Rachel
Christensen

Chamber Music Student
Green Mountain Chamber Music in Colchester,Vermont
“I hope to play in a professional orchestra and this experience allows me to create valuable connections with professionals currently working in music while learning from them and their experiences.”
Daniella
Embu

Youth Learning and Enrichment Fellow
Project Friendship
“I am majoring in psychology and am interested in the development and social branches of psychology. I plan on going to graduate school to receive my master’s to become a licensed therapist and to help the people in my community, especially kids.”
Tiffany
Putri

Marketing and Engagement Intern
TURNSIGNL
“As an aspiring Marketing Analyst and Management Consultant, this internship offers a unique opportunity to work on real marketing campaigns and engage with businesses directly to nurture partnerships, which will provide me with hands-on experience in the field.”
Aleah
Keske

Gallery Intern
Lanesboro Arts Gallery
“As an art major I was interested in getting any experience in the arts world that I could find.”
Mia
Jutz

Intern
Minnesota HQ Experience
“I am passionate about healthcare and wanted to see the data analysis side, instead of just the clinical and research work.”
Lydia
Hill

Research Assistant
Fulbright
“I am very interested in gynecology and obstetrics, and the lab I am working in this summer specializes in mother-baby research studies.”
Sardar
Qaidi

Community Builder
House Of Coexistence
“… the internship is helping me develop ideas and incorporate real-life stories into the book I am writing about the 2014 Yazidi Genocide.”
Blanca
Torres Lopez

Research Assistant
CURI Program
“…I have explored what research looks like and what it could look like as a vocation. I would like to pursue a career in research and working in the Lee Lab has been a great introduction to research.”
Grace
Barton

Weber Scholar
St. Olaf Institute for Freedom and Community
“I am grateful for the opportunity to develop skills that will be attractive to both graduate programs and industry careers in Economics, Political Science, Data Science, and Public Policy.”
Riki
Poore

Summer Intern
Alliance for Sustainability
“I have always been interested in non-profit work and the Alliance for Sustainability fits well with the type of community and educational work I hope to do in the future.”
Marissa
Palermo

Rockswold Scholar
Hennepin County Medical Center
“I have always loved getting to share what I’ve learned, particularly in regard to biology.”
Rahaf
Qarabsa

Research Assistant
CURI Program
“I find the neurophysiology of animal communication and the evolutionary relationship fascinating areas to begin my research in neuroscience. “
Clara
Droessler

Research Assistant
Dana-Farber
Cancer Institute
“I am interested in a career in cancer research, but where exactly I fit within the field is something that I have been exploring.”
Mariam
Elkemary

Data Analyst Intern
Ascend Indiana
“I am a Computer Science major and this internship made me realize that I really enjoy Data Science and its many diverse applications!”
Olivia
Edstrom

Community Outreach Intern
Sierra Club
“As an environmental studies major, I am interested in exploring career opportunities related to the environment.”
Ivy
Castillo

Rockswold Health Scholar
Hennepin County Medical Center
“… the Rockswold Scholars program offered an amazing opportunity for me to understand what it means to practice medicine and serve a diverse community of patients from all walks of life.”
Autumn
Pozniak

Forest Technician
US Forest Service
“I am extremely passionate about environmental conservation, policy, and sustainability.”
Andrew
Mazariegos-Ovalle

Summer Intern
Ryan Learning Center at the Art Institute of Chicago
“I am interested in the power of studio art to connect audiences, especially youth, with important topics such as climate change.”
Corrin
Gillespie

Pre-Physical Therapy Intern
Avera
Sioux Falls
“I spend most of my time in pediatric therapy or inpatient rehab but also get to bounce around to other departments which has really allowed me to see how expansive the PT career can be.”
Bella
Marek

Artist Planning Intern
Kennedy Center
Washington D.C.
“I am interested in connecting Arts Administration and Music Education to help create a stronger future for the arts.”
Mandie
Flint

Mammal Nursery Intern
Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota
“I’m getting hands-on experience with meeting every patient’s needs in the world’s busiest animal hospital.”
Hannah
Swanson

Mammal Nursery Intern
Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota
“This internship allows me to gain valuable medical skills and experience working with wildlife in a rehabilitative capacity.”
Sarah
Tondini

Naturalist Center Intern
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
“I have always loved getting to share what I’ve learned, particularly in regard to biology.”
Alejandro
Ashby

Permanent Mission of Barbados Intern
United Nations in Manhattan, New York
“This opportunity has provided me with a greater understanding of how international systems and international law function.”
Erich
Dvorak

Chemical Research Intern
Fluorescence Innovations Inc.
“After I got my NR-EMT license through Northfield Hospital and Clinics, it opened me up to the big world of healthcare and led me to want to study pre-medicine.”
Ethan ‘Ziza’
Nshakira

Media Genome Analyst Intern and Associate Film and Media Podcaster
Katch University and The Creative Process Podcasts
“I really want to create an online presence and personal brand in the Film Criticism/Journalism Space.”
Thanuja
Ramesh

Homicide Research Intern
Center for Homicide Research
“… investigating the psychological factors that contribute to homicidal acts, such as personality traits, cognitive biases, or socialization experiences allows me to use my psychology background and coursework.”
Jessenia
Prado

Intern
Art Institute of Chicago
“As a Chicagoan, I love talking about the city’s diverse neighborhoods with people, especially through art and activities.”
Lily
Bensen

Rockswold Scholar
Hennepin County Medical Center
“This program has provided me with shadowing experiences in many different departments which helps me explore which fields of medicine most interest me.”
Grace
Henrich

Songbird Nursery Intern
Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
“… this experience has equipped me with the necessary tools to communicate science with greater confidence.”
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