Student Experiences

Connecting the classroom to careers

Student Experiences

Connecting the classroom to careers

Selected 2024-2025 Internship Participants

Grant Thibodeaux

Healthcare Administration

Encompass Health Lakeshore Rehabilitation Hospital, Homewood, Alabama

“My internship at Encompass Health Lakeshore Rehabilitation Hospital was transformative, deepening my understanding of health care operations, finance, strategy and leadership. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, participation in strategic discussions, and direct engagement with hospital executives, I gained invaluable skills that have prepared me to confidently address health care challenges and pursue leadership roles in the future.”

Courtney Smith

Geography, GIS Concentration

Birmingham Water Works, Birmingham, Alabama

“I used some of the GIS skills that were taught in class to assist in the digitization process of utility maps for this area. The process had many steps to ensure accuracy, and I helped with multiple parts of that process. These things worked toward the department-wide project of digitizing everything to a point where each place with lead pipes could be identified, and those pipes could be replaced. Overall, the internship was a good opportunity to see one of the applications my degree could have.”

Haylee Davis

Accounting

FBI, Dallas Texas, Birmingham, Alabama

“The FBI internship allowed me to explore many different fields and positions. I was able to attend a medic training, visit a local police department, meet with U.S. attorneys and attend various events. This internship gave me the opportunity to gain new experiences, create lasting relationships and have fun memories to look back on.”

Chyna Bates

Law, Politics and Society

Law Office of Gilchrist Davis, Birmingham, Alabama

“I have written motions, sat in on court cases, filed things into court, sat in on consultations and served organizations along with many other things. I will have the advantage and experience with major hands-on work before I even arrive at law school. This legal literacy will help me in a major way in the long run. I will be prepared to know and understand what the professional world feels like even when discussing court cases and things of this nature in law school.”

Lindsey Collins

Psychology

The Onin Group, Birmingham, Alabama

“I gained hands-on experience in multiple areas of human resources, from talent acquisition to organizational development. I created job descriptions, implemented a new documentation system and conducted candidate screenings. This internship had a major impact on my career path, reinforcing my passion for HR while helping explore different specialties in the field. It also strengthened my job opportunities while giving me real-world experience and valuable skills.”

Sarah Beth DiPrima

Pre-Business

Peachtree Planning, Rome, Georgia

“Working alongside a team of financial advisors, I’ve gained important office skills and a comprehensive understanding of financial advising as well as client interactions. My responsibilities included attending client meetings, creating graphics and presentations, managing the monthly newsletter, and working behind the scenes for content creation. This internship has not only taught me about financial advising but also about marketing and business strategy, helping me better pinpoint my specific career interests and strengths as I work towards my future goals.”

Thomas Aldag

Political Science

Potomac Advocates, Arlington, Virginia

“I worked as a research analyst for a consulting and lobbying firm for the defense and intelligence industries. I was given the opportunity to analyze government budgets, attend multiple events for the defense and intelligence communities, and make connections with professionals in the field. Staying at The Washington Center, I attended classes which helped further my career and academic readiness, while also being able to meet other interns from across the country with similar interests. Without a doubt, my time interning in DC has helped to better prepare me for graduation and my future career."

Murphy Igbakpa

Neuroscience

Organogenesis, Birmingham, Alabama

“My internship at Organogenesis was incredibly enriching. I worked on a project involving the company’s product, NuShield, where I conducted various research experiments and assays, such as trypsin assay, elastin assay, and sircol collagen assays. Additionally, I explored degradation experiments using different proteases and honed my skills in histology and imaging techniques. This hands-on experience was invaluable, as it introduced me to new skills and expanded my knowledge in regenerative medicine, which will be instrumental in my future career”

Amelia Grace Waltman

Human Development and Family Science, Master of Social Work

Alabama Baptist Chrildren's Home (ABCH), Birmingham, Alabama

“Through my internship, I was able to help monitor visitations, transport children to various appointments, attend home visits and placements, shadow in family court, and more. I am immensely appreciative of the experience I was given, and it taught me so much about what foster care is, how essential social workers are, and how Christ can be glorified through foster care. I learned about the type of social worker and supervisor I hope to be one day. Through my internship at ABCH, I feel a deep confirmation in pursuing Social Work and working in foster care in the future."

Denver Waltman

History

Eisenhower National Historic Site, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

“This summer I served as an Interpretation Intern, crafting my own house tour to inform visitors about the Eisenhowers and the site itself. My experience at the site was awesome as it allowed me to converse with all sorts of different people while sharing interesting historical information with them."

Selected 2023-2024 Internship Participants

Jayanna Cameron

Law Politics and Society

King Simmons Law Firm, Birmingham, Alabama

“I was able to really get hands-on experience and delve into the law field. I was responsible for preparing legal documents and conducting legal research for lawyers and judges. I also assisted with conducting phone interrogatories to gain information from plaintiffs that would be used in court proceedings and uploading/organizing legal documents to have readily available for attorneys. It not only exposed me to a law environment, but also helped to narrow my focus in the type of law I would want to go into after obtaining my law degree.”

Baylie McClafferty

Journalism/Mass Communication, Minors in Political Science, Ministry and Missions

Family Research Council, Washington D.C.

“I wrote articles for their News publication, The Washington Stand. In the 13 weeks I spent in D.C., I attended three press conferences on the Capitol grounds, went to a judicial hearing, appeared as a guest on the company podcast and publish over 30 articles. Aside from the career-developing opportunities, I made 12 other friends that will last a lifetime, was challenged and rooted in my biblical worldview, and was sharpened and strengthened in my character.”

Jesse Hungerpiller

Sports Medicine

ASKI (Advice Support Knowledge Information) Croydon, London, United Kingdom

“My main task while interning was to gather the most recent data about the elderly community and the areas in which they needed to be most supported in the borough of Sutton. I found issues such as the transportation services, ethnic exclusion or lack of community, and the main problem, social isolation. This experience gave me a new perspective on the way issues like social isolation are being taken seriously and worked on by passionate people. In my future I hope to provide insight on how research is conducted and be able to be a key contributor.”

Savannah Schmidt

History

Kranzberg Arts Foundation, St. Louis, Missouri

“My experience working as a curatorial intern opened my eyes to the vast array of opportunities available to me as a history major. I was able to curate exhibits, compose research, participate in gallery marketing meetings, use my photography skills to document the art pieces and even help a famous street artist paint her wall mural. Internships can teach you what you do and don’t like, and those are both valuable learning experiences.”

Laura Aughtman

Language and World Trade

Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Berlin, Germany.

“My time as an intern in Berlin was a valuable high point in my college career, which wove together all of my previous skills and international learning experiences with a group that truly makes a difference globally in terms of how we think about democracy, open dialogue and international development policy.”

Selected 2021-2022 Internship Participants

Jonathan Moore

Sport Administration, Business Minor

Grant Thornton, Southeast (FL/GA/AL)

"My internship experience with Grant Thornton was outstanding as I worked with the enterprise transformation team on different technical platforms throughout my internship. I worked with Microsoft Azure DevOps, Microsoft Power BI and release and product management material along with other programs and obtained exposure to other fields within the firm. This experience also enabled me to further develop my professional network."

Jenna Anker

Marketing, Data Analytics and Professional Sales Concentrations

Jemison Metals, Birmingham, Alabama

"The team at Jemison is amazing. I never imagined I would be working in the steel industry, but I love what I have and will continue to learn! It has been neat to experience a work culture where everyone is constantly learning and growing. I feel like I know so little, but I am excited to learn more about the steel industry and how we can use data from the past to forecast future outcomes."

Savanah Needham

Marketing & Entrepreneurship

KW, Birmingham, Alabama

“In early 2021 I received my real estate license and became an agent at KW, working exclusively with The Hancock Group. I have had the opportunity to grow my network and learn from top selling agents in the area who push me to serve the Alabama community in their housing needs to the best of my ability. I continually learn and better equip myself for my future in real estate and beyond. In the continual pursuit of real estate, I will also be attending graduate school this coming fall to get my M.B.A.”

Winnie Folk

Psychology

Children's of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama

“I worked as the organizational development intern in the human resources department. This internship was one of the greatest learning experiences I have ever had! I went into this internship just to try something as I was unsure of what I wanted to do, and I walked out feeling so excited to continue my education in a specialization of industrial/organizational psychology and move into the work field. I loved going to work each day and that gave me so much confidence that I was on the right track!”

Baleigh Nelson

Theatre for Youth

Alabama Holocaust Education Center, Birmingham, Alabama

“Interning with Alabama Holocaust Education Center this semester has been a huge blessing to me and aid to my senior project. They were an amazing resource for research purposes and helped me learn more about educating people on difficult topics. It has greatly impacted me and my future career path.”

Selected 2020-2021 Internship Participants

Libby Rau

Law, Politics, and Society

Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Birmingham, Alabama

"Interning at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute has allowed me to experience firsthand the power of proximity--the BCRI not only educates its visitors about the past but empowers them to seek justice in their everyday lives. To be able to support the Institute during a time when many of the civil rights which leaders such as Dr. King fought for are under attack has been an honor to say the least. Whether it’s helping to write grants or simply managing schedules, I am daily inspired by my co-workers’ relentless pursuit of our mission: to enlighten each generation about civil and human rights by exploring our common past and working together in the present to build a better future.”

Audrey McDonald

Graphic Design

Planning and Interpretive Media Branch, Yellowstone National Park, Mammoth, Wyoming

“I was able to channel my passion for design into producing tangible work for one of my favorite places on earth. I created graphics, illustrations, informational panel layouts, simple animations, social media content, and so much more, all to be utilized to educate and inform millions of people visiting Yellowstone each year. I was able to leave the summer more confident in my abilities as a designer and as an employee. I’ll remember this opportunity for the rest of my life!”

Moriah Mason

Journalism and Mass Communication

Woman's Missionary Union, Remote

"My experience was invaluable because it allowed me to experience what it was like for a publishing company. Through this internship, I was able to research and write articles on different regions and countries. Even though I was not physically able to visit these regions, I still learned a great deal of knowledge from my research. I am so thankful to the CDC staff for helping me to find this internship!"

Caroline Coleman

Political Science & Journalism/Mass Communication

United States House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.

"Serving in the United States House of Representatives was truly the opportunity of a lifetime! Getting to learn firsthand how Congress works & also realizing how human these elected officials are gave me a new perspective on DC politics! I am so grateful for the CDC & Ms. Ditchfield's help in getting me there- it would not have been possible without them!"

Haven Voorhees

Economics with a Concentration in Social Entrepreneurship and Non-Profit Management

Department of Innovation and Economic Development, Birmingham, Alabama

“This city department seeks to make Birmingham a place of prosperity for its residents. I researched other cities’ approaches to remediation of past tragedies, such as Hurricane Katrina, in order to develop an effective COVID-19 relief plan for Birmingham. Holding this position amidst such a speculative and unsettling time served to catalyze my desire to pursue a higher degree in Economics; I am graduating from Samford University this spring and starting graduate school in Economics at NYU come fall.”