Major: Political Science
Hometown: Oxford, PA

How did you learn about this opportunity?

I learned about this experience through a tweet that came up on my Twitter. As I was scrolling, the tweet caught my eye, and I clicked on the link to learn more about what the internship was all about. The link took me to engage.psu.edu, where I was able to learn more about the Student Engagement Network and what the internship would entail. After doing research throughout the website, I came to the conclusion that this is something that I would want to do. It is amazing to think about what opportunities will just pop up on your timeline in the world we live in today.

Tell us a little bit about your experience.

The Student Engagement Network is a space in the student union center on the University Park campus at Penn State University. The Student Engagement Network is a space where students can come in to explore the things that they are passionate about and turn these passions into real life experiences. In the space, student interns like myself help students find internships, research opportunities, and study abroad opportunities that align with their passions.

Through these interactions...I hope to learn about how education can better fit the needs and wants of students

How did this experience impact you academically?

The Student Engagement Network has allowed me to work on my communication skills and time management skills. These skills transfer right into my academics. Communication skills (being able to speak in public without fear and communicate my ideas and thoughts in public) are vital for many of my classes. Time management is another great skill that has transferred from my internship to my academics. Time management is essential to ensure that I can balance both a full course workload and the internship.

What are your career goals and plans?  How did this experience impact them?

I have considered a job in education and public policy. Through this internship, I have had the opportunity to talk to students on a day to day basis. Through these interactions, I hope to learn more about what kind of education students are looking for and what they hope to get out of it. I hope to learn about how education can better fit the needs and wants of students rather than the current structure of education today.

Would you recommend this experience to other Liberal Arts students?

I would recommend this experience to other Liberal Arts students. It is a great way to connect with students from across the university, each of them with different experiences and backgrounds. The experience also allows you to learn about all the different resources available to students throughout the university that you might not have been aware of.