Harrisburg, PA – Happy National Intern Day 2024! Have you taken a moment to thank an intern at your company or organization? Interns are some of the hardest-working individuals in America – including right here at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (HU).
Did you know that every HU student completes applied research and an internship in their field? This is part of our commitment to preparing students to excel confidently in science and technology fields like analytics, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, controlled-environment agriculture, data science, forensics, healthcare, and many others.
So why are internships so important? Keep reading to find out, and to meet a few of the amazing students from HU who’ve landed awesome internships.
THE ECONOMIC AND PERSONAL BENEFITS OF INTERNSHIPS
Interns add significant value to the US economy. They contribute to culture and innovation by providing not just labor, but fresh eyes and perspectives. In 2024, internships continue to be a crucial part of workforce development, particularly in industries like science, technology, finance, and public policy.
Internships help companies foster a pipeline of future talent. By integrating interns into their operations, businesses also benefit from the latest knowledge and innovative ideas from the world of academia. This entwining of the theoretical and practical enhances productivity and drives growth.
Critically, internships provide students with practical experience that improves their employability and aligns their skills with current market needs. In many cases, serving in an internship can help focus an individual’s career goals and aspirations. In 2023, employers converted interns into permanent employees in almost 60 percent of cases. In 2024, LinkedIn found that interns are 25 percent likelier to begin a full-time job within six months of graduating, compared to non-interns.
Moreover, internships can foster public service and government careers. Through internships, students gain exposure to state and federal operations and develop skills critical for public-sector roles. This supports the intern’s career development and ensures a steady influx of trained professionals into government positions, thereby improving the efficiency and effectiveness of public services. This involvement helps to shape better economic policies and contributes to broader economic stability and growth.
In short, internships have become a vital component of the US economy by providing mutual benefits to universities, businesses, and students alike.
MEET SOME OF HU’S OUTSTANDING STUDENT-INTERNS
To celebrate National Intern Day 2024, we wanted to honor a few of the outstanding students who’ve landed exciting internships with innovative, big-name employers through their studies and research at HU. We’re incredibly proud of these students for proving their mettle in the real world and for demonstrating the value of an HU education.
Here are some of HU’s rockstar interns, in their own words.
Name: Ryan Bosley
Major: Bachelor of Science in Advanced Manufacturing
Graduation year: 2025
Internship: Prototyping Engineer, US Army DEVCOM
What attracted you to this internship?
“I knew it was right for me because it included everything I do at the University plus my hobbies outside of school. This internship focuses on robotics engineering and additive manufacturing, which is what my major is all about. At the same time, the organization is exploring augmented (AR), mixed (MR), and virtual reality (VR) development, which is what I do with HU’s eXtended Reality Taskforce. On top of that, working with 3D modeling also suits me, since my job outside of school is video game development.”
What are some of your internship duties?
“My internship duties include 3D printer operations, such as loading projects onto the printers and starting them, cleaning the machines, and cleaning the parts after printing. I also utilize SolidWorks to engineer 3D-printed parts to install onto automated robots.”
What has been your favorite part about your internship?
“My favorite part has been the work environment. Everyone is relaxed, but at the same time productive. We have fun, such as one-hour-long breaks on a pier next to the Chesapeake Bay, and we’re always working on new and innovative components for robots and other orders from the military.”
Do you have any advice for other interns or students?
“Network as much as possible and keep close relationships with individuals who work in your area. The only reason I got this internship is because I reached out to LJ Holmes, an Advanced Manufacturing Lead at our university. It was very lucky, but not lucky at the same time – my resume held up to the Army’s standards, and that took work.”
Is there someone at HU you’d like to thank?
“I would like to thank and shout out LJ Holmes for helping me find an internship and gain the experience I need to represent the University and contribute to STEM advancement!”
Name: Kalen Davis
Major: Bachelor of Science in Integrative Sciences
Graduation year: 2026
Internship: Lab Intern, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
What attracted you to this internship?
“I was referred to this internship by Professor Santai, who thought I would be a good fit for the position considering my major and goals for the future.”
What are some of your internship duties?
“At the PA DEP Department of Laboratories, I work in the microbiology section. We mainly test water samples sent from around PA for regulation and safety. This includes drinking water, streams, pool water, and beach water (including artificial beaches).
“Additionally, I was assigned to the plankton lab, where the full-time analysts test for toxins from harmful algae blooms in different bodies of water. My job is to prepare the samples for analysis.”
What has been your favorite part about your internship?
“One of my favorite parts has to be the people I work with – especially the other interns. Everyone on the analyst team was so welcoming, and the other interns and I have shared so many laughs. This type of environment makes a long day into a good one and gives me the opportunity to learn because I’m not afraid to ask. This came as a real surprise to me, because I expected everything in the lab to have a lot of pressure on it and people to be more closed off. I was very happy to learn that this job offered the complete opposite.
“Another thing I love is that the work I’m doing as an intern directly contributes to keeping people in the real world safe.
Do you have any advice for other interns or students?
“Don’t be afraid to apply. To anything! I missed out on a lot of opportunities by not putting myself out there because I thought there was no way I would get picked as a sophomore with no real-world experience. I almost missed out on this very internship opportunity because of the exact same reason. When the opportunity presents itself, go for it and don’t count yourself out – you might be exactly what they need!”
Is there someone at HU you’d like to thank?
“I’d love to thank Dr. Santai, Dr. Harriger, Dr. Wang, Dr. Belgrave, and Dr. Mesa. They all helped me get an internship this summer. They all took part in encouraging me to take the chance, helping me with the applications, or preparing me for the position by explaining some things I might encounter. I’m so grateful to have had their support through the process!”
Name: Cody Goss
Major: Bachelor of Science in Management, Entrepreneurship, and Business Administration
Graduation year: Spring 2025
Internship: Communications Intern, Harrisburg Young Professionals (HYP)
What attracted you to this internship?
“I was attracted to this internship because it was a great opportunity to get involved with a local organization making a positive impact, and because it was a chance to boost my professional development.”
What are some of your internship duties?
“My title at HYP is Communications Intern. My responsibilities, to name a few, include writing social-media posts, maintaining the HYP website, and updating newsletters for various email campaigns.”
What has been your favorite part about your internship?
“My favorite part has got to be the number of diverse projects and software I get to interact with. This not only allows me to be a bit creative but also provides me with valuable experience with industry-standard software.”
Do you have any advice for other interns or students?
“Start looking for your internships early. It can be competitive, so the earlier you start applying, the more likely you are to secure the internship you want.”
Is there someone at HU you’d like to thank?
“Special thanks to Rebekah Harriger for her support and guidance as I navigated the internship search process.”
Name: Alexander Hang
Major: Bachelor of Science in Advanced Manufacturing
Graduation year: 2026
Internship: Industrial Engineering Intern, Phoenix Contact
What attracted you to this internship?
“What attracted me to the Phoenix Contact Industrial Engineering Internship was the opportunity to engage in teamwork projects using critical thinking and civic skills.”
What are some of your internship duties?
“Some of my internship duties include taking notes on the manufacturing floor, such as time studies and operator efficiency; ensuring that my research gives accurate data to improve lean manufacturing; and providing value streams on specific manufacturing stations.”
What has been your favorite part about your internship?
“My favorite part about the internship is working on projects that provide interesting data on production flow, further enhancing the lean manufacturing process at Phoenix Contact.”
Do you have any advice for other interns or students?
“My advice is to find what you enjoy. Otherwise, you’ll remain unhappy if the position you choose is not where your heart is. Furthermore, new interns should get to know their co-workers and accomplish the goals set by their higher-ups, while taking it easy to relieve stress during working hours.”
Is there someone at HU you’d like to thank?
“I would love to give thanks to Professor Glenn Williams for showing me this internship opportunity. Without his guidance, I would have never known about this internship position.”
Name: Emely Medina
Major: Bachelor of Science in Forensics
Graduation year: Fall 2024
Internship: Forensic Facial Reconstruction Intern, Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC)
What attracted you to this internship?
“I’m also a freelance artist, so finding an opportunity that meshed my forensic and artistic skills gave me the ability to pursue both my careers at once.”
What are some of your internship duties?
“I’m the forensic artist responsible for performing anthropological estimates on human remains recovered from HACC’s biology department. I’m also responsible for the facial reconstruction via sketches and clay modeling that is performed using the estimates.”
What has been your favorite part about your internship?
“Proficiency testing using bone clones has been my favorite, since I can test the accuracy of my estimations done on real remains.”
Do you have any advice for other interns or students?
“Don’t limit yourself to certain opportunities! Any related experience is good experience.”
Is there someone at HU you’d like to thank?
“I’d like to extend a thank you to my advisors – Carrie Wise, Jillian Yeakel, and Malik Potter. They not only helped me to find this opportunity, but also to accumulate the skills and confidence I needed.”
Name: Rebecca Miller
Major: Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Sustainability
Graduation year: 2026
Internship: Coastal Marine Education and Research Academy (CMERA)
What attracted you to this internship?
“I was attracted to this internship due to how unique it is and the hands-on experience I received with interacting with marine organisms.”
What are some of your internship duties?
“Some of my duties included baiting hooks, catching bait, pulling in longlines and tangle nets, and collecting data on the sharks, rays, and turtles we caught and released.”
What has been your favorite part about your internship?
“My favorite part of the internship was catching and releasing a scalloped hammerhead shark!”
Do you have any advice for other interns or students?
“Some advice for students looking to apply for an internship would be to start early when applying.”
Is there someone at HU you’d like to thank?
“I would like to thank Rachel Fogle, head of the Environmental Science program, for showing me this unique opportunity.”
Name: Priyadharshini Rajmohan
Degree: Master of Science in Analytics
Graduation year: August 2025
Internship: CEO Intern and IT Intern, PA Turnpike Commission
What attracted you to this internship?
“The internship title, ‘CEO Intern Fellows Program for Diverse Groups,’ under the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, immediately caught my attention. As a freshman with no prior experience in my field, I initially hesitated to apply for internships that required specific industry experience.
“However, this program’s focus on diversity and inclusion and its openness to candidates without specific industry experience made it particularly appealing to me. This inclusive approach gave me the confidence to apply, knowing that my fresh perspective and eagerness to learn would be valued.”
What are some of your internship duties?
- CEO intern project: Conducting a feasibility study on creating a rewards program for PA Turnpike customers under the guidance of a project sponsor and coordinator.
- Department project: Collaborating with IT summer interns on mini projects and gaining insights into IT subdivisions while working with my “home team,” Geo Analytics.
- Professional development: Attending sessions on team building, presentation skills, and skillset training.
What has been your favorite part about your internship?
“My favorite part of the internship has been the people. Meeting higher officials, like the CEO, CFO, COO, and CTO, and gaining insights from their experiences, has been incredibly inspiring. The work-life balance experience and the knowledge I’m gaining from this internship will be invaluable in securing a full-time position in the future.”
Do you have any advice for other interns or students?
“Tailor your resume to match the job description. After applying, try to connect with people from the company and reach out to someone who can refer you. Follow up diligently. If you don’t get the position, keep trying. Persistence is key.”
Is there someone at HU you’d like to thank?
“I would like to thank Rebekah and Emily from Career Services and Experiential Learning for arranging the Spring Career Fair 2024. Additionally, I am grateful to the Professional Development Programs team for organizing all the valuable events at HU.”
Name: Laura Silvers
Major: Bachelor of Science in Advanced Manufacturing
Graduation year: 2025
Internship: Engineering Intern, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT)
What attracted you to this internship?
“It was a chance to explore employment at the state level.”
What are some of your internship duties?
“I received hands-on experience inspecting guardrails, pipes, and shoulders throughout eight different counties in Pennsylvania.”
What has been your favorite part about your internship?
“My favorite parts have been working with others and learning more about keeping our roads safe for the community.”
Name: Logan Trimmer
Major: Bachelor of Science in Advanced Manufacturing
Graduation year: 2026
Internship: Electrical Drafter Intern, Martin’s Famous Pastry Shoppe, Inc. / Martin’s Potato Rolls
What are some of your internship duties?
“I am responsible for creating and revising electrical drawings, 3D modeling assemblies for various purposes, and printing the drawings for others to use.”
What has been your favorite part about your internship?
“Being treated at the same level as my co-workers who’ve been there for years. Plus, we get to choose from any of the bread that Martin’s puts out for us!”
Do you have any advice for other interns or students?
“Look around websites like Indeed or LinkedIn. Checking them every now and then for summer internships can help you find one. Also, some companies start posting internships for summer in the fall of the previous year. Don’t hesitate to talk to your program lead or the other professors; they will almost certainly help you with locating an internship.”
ABOUT HARRISBURG UNIVERSITY
Harrisburg University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and is a private, nonprofit university offering bachelor’s and graduate degree programs in the fields of science, technology, and mathematics. For additional information about the University’s affordable, demand-driven undergraduate and graduate programs, please call 717.901.5146 or email Connect@HarrisburgU.edu. Stay updated by following Harrisburg University on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
