By Kathleen Bromelow
Elm Staff Writer
This summer, many Washington College students had an opportunity to participate in a variety of internships that relate to their majors or fields of interest.
These students have the opportunity to explore options post-graduation.
Senior Megan Andrews, an international studies major, worked in Washington D.C. this summer for Crown Agents, a government contractor. Andrews was responsible for assisting in the augmentation of British databases to streamline recruitment in the agency as well as keeping information current on USAID projects in Africa and the congressional budgets for 2010-2011. By keeping this information up-to-date, Andrews said that this will help Crown Agents decide the countries where Crown Agents will seek projects. Andrews learned that the three countries receiving the most USAID for 2011 are Sudan, Ethiopia and Liberia.
Like Andrews, Senior Katie Johnson had a high-profile internship working with the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History with the museum support center, department of vertebrate zoology, division of fishes.
This was Johnsons second summer working with the Smithsonian this year. She worked with loan transactions of preserved fish to other states, as well as internationally. Many of theses samples are over 120 years old and have been studied extensively. Though she did not receive academic credit for the internship, Johnson, an art major and biology minor, recommends the internship to students, and said the Smithsonian “was great for gaining experience in my field of interest.”
Junior Kelsey Hallowell remained in Chestertown for two internships this summer. The first internship was with the Washington College Center for Environment and Society working with the recycling program on campus and composting projects. The second internship was with Colchester Farms in Galena, Maryland working as the education intern.
Colchester Farm is a community supported agriculture project, meaning that members invest in the harvest, which helps the farmer pay for any costs associated with farming.
In return, members receive a weekly share of the harvest. Hallowell harvested vegetables as well as help run a kids camp. At camp, students would harvest vegetables in the morning, then the harvested vegetables would be used to prepare lunch. Campers would also create art projects where they would reuse something for an art project. Hallowell, an environmental science major, enjoyed her internship this summer.
Internships are a valuable tool to explore career possibilities and students give you an idea of what to expect when they graduate. They are an invaluable experience that can boost any résumé or CV.
If any students are interested in doing a summer internship or would like information on internships, contact the career center at 410-778-7890 or by email at career_center@washcoll.edu.