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September 13, 2002
From
Mars to Washington: Taking Off with Internships
Done with exams,
final papers passed in, more than 150 MHC students metamorphosed
from College students to summer interns—shedding the trappings
and pace of student life to work on the campaign trail and Wall
Street; spend their days in Congress, hospitals, and laboratories;
and experience ways of life in Berkeley, Berlin, and Boston—and
even on Mars.
The articles that
follow are student accounts of time well spent.
Stacy Carrier '03
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Pasadena, California
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Stacy
Carrier '03 at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory this summer
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When I got the letter
saying I had been accepted to participate in a research project
on global warming at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), I was
ecstatic. I couldn't believe I was going to work for NASA. The
Undergraduate Student Research Program (USRP) offers research
positions at certain NASA centers to undergraduates. My project
for the summer was to measure and analyze carbon dioxide spectra
in the near infrared with the intent of establishing a model for
the line parameters of the spectra. I didn't know anything about
molecular spectroscopy (the study of the absorption of light by
molecules) going into the project, but I learned so much about
it over the ten weeks I was at the lab.
I spent a few weeks
learning computer programs that were developed by my mentor, a
JPL scientist who provided guidance for my project, then I got
into the spectroscopy work. I used Igor, a statistical program,
to do curve fitting on graphs of the data and to establish an
equation for the strength value of the spectra. The overall goal
of my project was to improve existing knowledge of carbon dioxide
line parameters at specific wavelengths, which is important for
future remote sensing experiments.
The lab gives its
student interns various opportunities to experience different
areas of NASA and a variety of research projects. Employees of
the JPL, including its director, Charles Elachi, talked to us
about their work during weekly seminars. I had the incredible
opportunity to have lunch with Mr. Elachi. He told me about his
career and how he got to where he is today: It all began for him
as an undergraduate summer student at JPL. Among the other highlights
of my internship was seeing the 200-inch telescope at Palomar
Observatory, with the rare opportunity of seeing behind the scenes
and climbing up on top of the dome while getting an idea of how
the telescope is used. I also got to visit the director of a division
of JPL where mathematics (my major) is widely used. She talked
with me about many possible career opportunities at JPL. While
at JPL, I also had a tour of the Mars exploration rovers lab,
where they test out the vehicles in a Mars-like environment.
Before I worked at
the lab, I wasn't considering a career with NASA, but now I've
changed my mind. It's a rewarding experience being part of a NASA
project. I would recommend this program to anyone.
Katrina A. Godderz
'03
Scottish Book Collector magazine
Edinburgh, Scotland
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Katrina
A. Godderz '03 in the offices of Scottish Book Collector.
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Scottish Book Collector
(SBC) magazine was founded in 1986 and is read by individuals,
book dealers, and staff at universities and cultural organizations.
It includes book reviews, publishing news around the UK, author
interviews, short fiction selections, and literary articles. Jennie
Renton, editor of SBC and my internship supervisor, allowed me
to experience nearly every aspect of the magazine's production
and distribution.
Within the first hour
of my first day, I was mailing out hundreds of issues of the most
recent SBC to subscribers all over the world. Over the course
of my internship, I learned about subscriptions, publicity and
marketing, transcriptions, typesetting, editorial,
permissions, accounts, selecting and obtaining images, researching
references, maintaining consistency in the publication, and making
sure that a sentence doesn't end at the top of a column or page.
It was interesting to see the differences between the Queen's
English and our own. Now, I am used to Microsoft Word telling
me that I spell practice, recognize, and color incorrectly. I
spent an entire afternoon thinking about what despatch could possibly
mean and whether Ballindalloch should be italicized (or italicised).
I also fielded at
least a call a day from subscribers or book dealers who, realizing
I was clearly not familiar with names and words of Scottish and
Gaelic origins, patiently spelled out their addresses for me.
Even without the complication of the "accent" of the
person on the other end of the line, the words under discussion
would be a challenge for the most astute of spellers. Try spelling
Taigh Sheonidh; Loinn a Bhulig, An Agaidh (one single address);
Auchertmuchty, Auchtermuchty, or Milngavie (pronounced mull guy)
without some help!
Because SBC has a
Scottish focus, I learned quite a bit about how Scotland represents
itself in writing. Research I did during my internship search
indicated that Scottish publishing is quite conscious of location
and culture. This is one of the reasons I chose to intern at SBC.
Still, Scotland, and Edinburgh in particular, has a greater literary
heritage than I realized. While Scotland covers a land area and
has a population roughly the same as South Carolina, it has produced
literary luminaries of major proportions, among them Robert Burns,
Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Louis Stevenson. Much of the work
of these and other Scottish writers is set in the beautiful glens,
islands, and cities of their homeland.
One of the things
I enjoyed most about my internship was the opportunity to transcribe
author interviews. The dialogue that took place between Jennie
and Yann Martel, a Canadian writer, sticks with me vividly. In
conversation, we do not often speak in complete sentences and
paragraphs, instead we phrase our speech around a subject. Only
when I listened to an interview with the object of transcribing
it did I realize this. I heard Yann give his philosophy and his
intentions in a colloquial way, without the caution and revision
that is possible with writing, and then I read his book, Life
of Pi. To experience this author as a listener and as a reader
was wonderful.
Of course, I didn't
spend all my time at the office. Attending Edinburgh's international
book, jazz, and theatre festivals taught me that the city is a
great place to be during the summer (if you can take the weather—brr!).
Agnieszka Starzyk
'03
Regional Hospital
Rzeszow, Poland
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Future
physician Agniezka Starzyk '03 performs an ultrasound on
a patient in Poland.
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Since coming to Mount
Holyoke, I've been an avid student of the sciences and am leaning
toward a career in medicine. Last summer, I had the opportunity
to work at Holyoke Hospital. The job gave me insight into the
medical profession and issues surrounding health insurance in
the United States. This summer, I wanted a medical experience
that would allow me to be more involved with patient care. Being
fluent in Polish, I was able to obtain an internship in the pediatric
ward of the regional hospital in Rzeszow, Poland.
The internship was
for third-year medical students; I knew I was underqualified when
I requested to be considered, but I made it known that I have
received a great foundation in the sciences at MHC. When I was
accepted, I thought the internship would be mainly an observational
experience for me, a way to help me decide whether medicine is
what I'd like to do with my life. Though the doctors and nurses
knew I was only an undergraduate, they kept offering me more responsibilities—the
kind I could expect in my second or third year of medical school.
The first week of
the internship I simply observed because I was feeling somewhat
out-of-place. Eventually, my eagerness to learn got the best of
me, and I was going to all parts of the pediatric ward—visiting
patients, learning about different exams and medical equipment,
shadowing doctors, and even assisting in exams! Toward the end
of the internship, I was performing EKGs without supervision,
taking blood (though I never got up the nerve to actually stick
a needle in a child), and doing ultrasounds.
Over the weeks, I
also got to play with children, a very positive part of the experience.
But the moments I take away with me, those that have solidified
my decision to go into medicine, are the times I spent with children
who couldn't play. Nothing has awakened me more to the realization
that I have to make a difference in people's lives than spending
time with children who have illnesses that have no cure.
"Gabbie"
is one year old and is the most adorable child I've ever seen.
When I met her, she was lying in her hospital crib. She looks
like a child's doll—and she basically is a doll. She has
been motionless since the day she was born. "Gabbie"
has a congenital heart defect, her legs are deformed, she breathes
through a tube in her trachea, and parts of her brain are not
developed. Her grandparents visit her every day. "Gabbie"
has toys, love, an adorable face, and no realization that she
is alive. Though I think of her often, I don't know what to say
about her. She has simply given me a reason to strive to be a
physician.
The time at the hospital
was educational, sometimes traumatic, other times uplifting, and
overall the best experience of my life. It has reassured me that
I do want to pursue a career in medicine. In addition, it has
filled me with confidence that I'm capable of being a healer.
For all those reasons, I am grateful to the hospital staff of
Rzeszow's Regional Hospital and to the little patients who don't
even know the impact they've had on my life.
Natalya Marusich '04
WinTao Consulting Company
Chengdu, China
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Natalya
Marusich '04 exploring China
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After taking a thirty-six-hour
train ride from Shanghai, China and being awakened at 7 am by
the loud sounds of "Chinese-Russian" popular folk musical
themes blasting from microphone speakers above my head, I finally
found myself in Chengdu, China. Chengdu is the destination that
I have chosen for the ultimate internship experience, a unique
chance to observe the transition of the Chinese economy into the
new realm of market opportunities.
Driving to what would
be my new home for the next two months, I was completely taken
aback by the eloquence and impeccability of Mr. Zhong's English.
Mr. Zhong, general manager of newly emerged consulting company
WinTao, immediately made me feel comfortable and welcome. The
next day, after surviving the never-ending bus/bike/cars/taxi/walking
traffic of Chengdu, I arrived on the eleventh floor of the office,
a delicately neat, homey, but rather small place with two cubicles,
a guest area, and two main desks for Mr. Zhong and his right-hand
helper, friendly Mrs. Jing. Mr. Lu and Mr. Chong were funny and
great to talk with, and they never ceased to amaze me with their
knowledge about American music, food, and people. In this friendly,
cigarette smoke-filled atmosphere, between the sounds of Chinese
conversations, I edited translations, worked on the company's
Web site, studied books on transitions to a market economy, and
was frustrated by not knowing the Chinese language. But the best
part was having the chance to talk to Mr. Zhong, a man who has
an interesting personality, great ideas, and extensive knowledge
of all the ins and outs in Chinese political and economic spheres,
Mr. Zhong is without a doubt the motor of the company.
Qizhi Zhong served
as a manager and principal consultant at Matrix Consult, a government-run
consulting company prior to spinning off in March of 2002 as an
independent enterprise. Just like Matrix or any other consulting
company in the region, WinTao (WTC) is committed to providing
quality professional services to its international and domestic
clients, while promoting business links and opportunities for
international companies and organizations that aim at strong presence
and development in the West China region. WTC, however, focuses
primarily on small and medium enterprises (SMEs), but also offers
its services internationally. Unlike many companies, it zealously
adheres to such values as objectivity, fair play, and ethical
business practices, while also understanding the values and expectations
of clients. Even though the company consists of only four full-time
employees, it has great potential.
With China's entry
into the World Trade Organization in 1998 and promotion of free-market
economies in West China, business and investment environments
are becoming more conducive to the development of businesses in
this region. But finding new clients internationally as well as
promoting itself domestically is not all that easy. The government
did take the lid off some restraints in conducting business, but
there is little infrastructure, governmental support, or even
public appreciation for newly emerged companies like WinTao. So
right now the business is run on the enthusiasm, hopes, expectations,
and hard work of WinTao employees. But if at least some of the
principles that WinTao adheres to could be universally upheld
in the Chinese business world, China, as well as the rest of the
world, would without a doubt reap great benefits.
Binu Tulachan '04
Melanie Taylor Architecture and Gardens
New Haven, Connecticut
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Architect-in-training
Binu Tulachan '04 with her internship supervisor
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My passion for pursuing
architecture has been growing enormously, and attending Mount
Holyoke has given me the resources and confidence to follow my
dream. I have grown to feel ever more grateful toward the College,
especially since last semester when my decision to prepare myself
for architecture was solidified. Taking art and architecture-related
courses has provided rich fodder for my pursuit. Each semester,
I have discovered new resources for acquiring knowledge in architecture.
Taking advantage of the Five College Consortium, I took the architecture
studio class at Smith, which was a truly transformative experience.
I consider architecture
a very exciting field, not only as a career but also as a special
path for self-discovery. Sensing I could dive into a working environment,
I did my first internship at Melanie Taylor Architecture and Gardens
in New Haven, Connecticut. Working at a small architecture firm
owned and run by Melanie Taylor, a graduate of Yale University,
was a great challenge. I not only learned a great deal about the
operation of a small-scale architecture firm, but also had lessons
in the cost of being a woman architect. As architecture is still
a male-dominated field, I found working with a female architect,
a great education and an honor. Now I find more reasons why I
should become one.
One of the highlights
of my internship was getting a thank-you note from a client for
whom I had built a model. As this was an unpaid internship, money
wasn't the means by which my contribution to the firm was acknowledged.
I had more gratifying rewards. A pat on the back or an uplifting
remark from Melanie and my coworkers were the things that made
me feel that what I was doing, however small, was making a difference.
By the time I graduate,
I will be a true product of the Five College consortium. Experience
with a unique blend of subjects and a strong liberal arts background
will help me in the field I want to explore further. My internship
with Melanie Taylor gave me a good understanding of the nature
of a small architecture practice; I will be ready for more. I
feel I have been given wings to accomplish what I want to do with
my life, and I thank Mount Holyoke for that.
Laura Khor '05
Office of Senator Max Baucus
Washington, D.C.
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Laura
Khor '05 poses with Senator Max Baucus of her home state
of Montana.
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Every autumn, students
across the United States are asked the same question, What did
you do over your summer vacation? My summer vacation was the opportunity
of a lifetime. I served as an intern in the Washington, D.C.,
office of Senator Max Baucus, a Democratic senator from Montana
who is chairman of the Finance and Tax Committee.
Senator Baucus encourages
interns to work on issues that interest them. Last spring at MHC,
I took the class Poverty in the United States with Professor John
O. Fox. The class focused on various perceptions of poverty, the
role government plays in poverty, and the culture of poverty.
The course changed my perspective on the world. I selected poverty
issues as my area of interest in the senator's office.
Not only was I able
to write letters focusing on Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security,
and TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), on behalf
of Senator Baucus, to concerned Montana constituents, I was able
to attend Capitol Hill hearings on all of these important social
issues.
Conducting tours of
the United States Capitol and attending daily lectures by prominent
government officials was an integral part of my internship. One
official I met was Secretary Elaine Chao '75, who held a reception
for interns in the labor building named after another famous MHC
alumnae, Frances Perkins, class of 1902. We learned all about
the Department of Labor and what Secretary Chao does in her job.
I also met Senators
Ted Kennedy, Strom Thurmond, and Trent Lott at the Capitol. My
first few days at work found me lost in the labyrinth under the
Capitol Building. I thought I had all the shortcut routes
down between the three Senate buildings until I opened a door,
which I thought would lead me to the Senate Russell Building,
and I found myself in a closet.
Studying Introduction
to the Qur'an at MHC interested me in attending the National Endowment
for Democracy Award ceremony hosted by the First Lady Laura Bush.
At this exciting event, five Muslim women from five different
Muslim countries were honored for their work in bringing democracy
to their communities. I met each of the award winners.
The intern lecture
series on Capitol Hill included Secretary of State Colin Powell
and Secretary of Transportation Norman Minetta. Secretary Powell
spoke about leadership; Secretary Minetta's speech focused on
transportation and terrorist attacks. It was important for me
to learn how these individuals selected their careers, rose to
their leadership positions, and lead their lives.
The highlight of my
summer was meeting former Vice President Al Gore. He was invited
to speak to Capitol interns by the Twenty-first Century Democrats.
This was the first time the former vice president had returned
to the Capitol since the 2000 election. All the Baucus interns
went two hours early to get seats to hear his lecture. The room
was filled to capacity with lights, cameras, and Al Gore! He was
quite amusing and his jokes filled the room with laughter. No
one knows if there will be a "Gore in '04" campaign.
If the enthusiasm in the room was an indicator, Al Gore will be
running in two years.
This summer internship
allowed me to work in areas that interested me while witnessing
firsthand government at work. Great leaders and great memories
made my summer vacation the opportunity of a lifetime.
Aid for Internships
A number of MHC interns
received support from the College to pursue their internships.
Godderz received assistance from the Paul F. McGuire Bequest Fund
to support domestic and international internships. Tulachan received
support from the Miriam C. Camps Internship Fund. Starzyk received
funds from the Ruth Wittemore '38, M.D., Endowed Fund for students
pursing health sciences internships or medicine. Marusich was
a recipient of the Asian studies department's Freeman Foundation
award, which supports internships in Asia.
You Too Can Do
an Internship: Developing Your Internship Workshops
The Career Development
Center will offer a series of workshops that can help you have
a successful internship experience—in the summer or during
January Term. A general session is scheduled for Monday, September
23, from 4 to 5:30 pm in Hooker Auditorium. Workshops focusing
on specific areas will be held in the CDC workshop room September
24–27. The focus on September 24 will be arts/communications
internships. On September 25, business internships will be discussed.
On September 26, internships in the education sphere will be the
topic; and on September 27, international internships will be
the focus. Students who attend one or more of these sessions can
enter a raffle for a $500 scholarship to be applied toward a January
Internship. A winner will be drawn from each workshop.
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