A summer of career preparation
St. Olaf College advisors and career coaches connect students to a menu of more than 5,000 internships, undergraduate research experiences, and other hands-on opportunities at a breadth of organizations ranging from nonprofits to Fortune 500 companies. More than 90 percent of Oles participate in internships, research, and other opportunities to prepare for their future — with robust support from the Piper Center for Vocation and Career. As part of a new series, we’re sharing reflections from Oles on their summer internship and research experiences.
For St. Olaf College students, summer internships offer a chance to take what they’ve learned on the Hill and put it into practice — while discovering new interests, building professional skills, and exploring where their education might lead.
This summer, Oles pursued opportunities across a wide range of fields and locations, gaining hands-on experience in everything from research and business to the arts, health care, and public service. We asked students to share a glimpse into where their internships took them, what they worked on, and what they learned along the way.
“The most impactful part of this experience was designing and 3D printing a component that contributed to a piece of medical equipment. Being involved in the process from the initial concept through design, prototyping, testing, and seeing how an idea progresses toward production was incredibly rewarding. It gave me a greater appreciation for the engineering and collaboration required to develop safe, effective medical devices. Knowing that each improvement has the potential to positively impact patients made the experience especially fulfilling and reinforced why I enjoy engineering.”
— Evelyn Kreft ’27 reflecting on her Quality Engineer Internship at Monteris Medical in Minnetonka, MN
“The internship confirmed that I do want to go into investment banking after I graduate. I will be able to build technical skills in valuation, fixed income, and capital markets before I eventually move into asset management. I think the internship helped shape my vision for what an independent asset management firm could look like, identifying all the gaps and opportunities in the market, which made that goal feel much more concrete and achievable.”
— Adrian Nkhoma ’28 reflecting on his Treasury and Investment Banking Internship in Blantyre, Malawi
“I chose this internship experience because it allows me to explore a wide range of artistic mediums and learn how nonprofits run. I’ve been able to work and help with ceramics, plaster, and glassblowing while connecting with the local community by helping with events!”
— Meghan Groshong ’27 reflecting on her Operations Internship at Englewood Arts in Independence, MO
“By working alongside people doing countless tasks to ensure that newly arrived refugees feel welcomed and have everything they need to thrive in their new life, I became aware of many career pathways I never knew existed. First and foremost, I realized just how passionate I am about helping people in underserved communities get access to the resources they need to not only survive, but thrive — such as stable housing, legal representation, and even basic human rights.”
— Jillian Ray ’28 reflecting on her Community Connections Internship at the African Community Center in Denver, CO
“I’ve always wanted to help people and make a difference, but never knew where to start. Interning at Compass has shown me just how many ways I can support the effort to end homelessness — as a therapist, policy advocate, or even working in the donations room! Now, I know where I’ll be post-grad.”
— Sofia Nastari-Case ’27 reflecting on her Development and Policy Internship at Company Family Services in San Francisco, CA