When it comes to building a bridge between college and career, experiential learning opportunities like internships help students gain work-specific skills, plus build confidence and a better understanding of their strengths.
Employers also recognize the value of a meaningful internship when hiring new team members. Nearly 91% of employers want candidates to have work experience, and more than half prefer that it comes from an internship or co-op (source: National Association of Colleges and Employers, Job Outlook 2017 survey).
Students nationwide are looking to colleges and universities to provide these high-impact practices as part of their learning experience, and Mary Baldwin University is working to increase the amount of internship opportunities it has on offer.
Over the past year, the Vantage Point: Office of Personal and Professional Development — located in Grafton Library — launched an initiative to secure more internship placements, many in the local area. More than 100 new internships are now available to students.
“We started with community connections that would provide exciting opportunities for our students, and also tapped into the knowledge and networks of our alumni and community partners,” said Lindsey Walsh, associate director of the Vantage Point, who led the effort last year.
Several of these new internships launched over the summer — helpful timing for many students who must balance courses, studying, extracurricular activities, sports, and part-time jobs during the academic year.
Here are some rising seniors who put their knowledge to work during summer internships in locations ranging from Pfizer in Richmond to the U.S. Army Base in Fort Knox, Kentucky.
Katherine Bernal Vigil
Vigil’s summer internship was a 13-week paid opportunity at Pfizer/GlaxoSmithKline, located in Richmond. Working under Kamala Payne Chapman ’05, scientist, Product Design and Development, Vigil was part of the Wellness Innovation team, developing solutions for Centrum gummies. She’s a biochemistry major, SGA vice president, and a cadet in the Virginia Women’s Institute for Leadership (VWIL).
“At my internship I learned many skills like problem-solving, flexibility, and time-management. It opened many opportunities that I believe have helped me advance towards becoming a pediatric surgeon.”
Katherine Bernal Vigil ’20
Jessica Hall
Jessica Hall (front, center) with Dominion team members.
Hall’s internship was a 12-week paid opportunity with Dominion Energy in Richmond, working with the eBusiness and Customer Communications team and Customer Billing Services on projects like a sweepstakes campaign, a direct mail postcard campaign, and creating a guide for future interns. She’s a marketing and communication major, plus a track and field athlete at MBU.
“This internship taught me how to use different communication programs that will be beneficial to any company that I choose to work for.”
Jessica Hall ’20
Zoe Pine
Pine worked with the Chesapeake City Clerk’s Office as part of the mayor’s staff, helping with events, research, and writing decrees and scripts for city council meetings. She also got to flex her marketing and communication major with lots of communications and public relations work.
“I’m starting my thesis in the fall, and luckily, I got a lot of advice on that during my internship. I’ve also gotten to observe various different campaigns. It’s been really interesting!”
Zoe Pine ’20
Jaquelin Rosas
Rosas spent the summer at the U.S. Army’s Advanced Camp at Fort Knox (with more than 600 cadets from across the country), practicing skills to get closer to her goal of commissioning as a Second Lieutenant Social Worker in the U.S. Army. She’s a social work major, a track and field athlete, and logistics officer and peer advisor in VWIL.
“With each new encounter and experience, I developed camaraderie, integrity, resilience, loyalty, and selfless service, and I learned how those can apply to my goal of becoming an effective future social worker.”
Jaquelin Rosas ’20
Valena Rose
Rose’s internship was working at a summer camp for children from ages 6 to 13 hosted by the Richmond Police Athletic League, with the goal of helping to bridge the gap between youth and the police. She served as a counselor and helped with camp logistics and finances. She’s a criminal justice major, VWIL cadet, and 2019–20 SGA lead advocate.
“My internship has taught me a lot of patience when it comes to others. It has taught me humility about my background, and I will take these skills with me in the future.”
Valena Rose ’20
Mallory Townsend
This summer, Townsend completed Advanced Camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky, where she had to show proficiency in rifle marksmanship, land navigation, Army physical fitness test standards, field tactical exercises, and more. She also stayed for an additional month to be a mentor for cadets in Basic Camp. She’s majoring in business with an emphasis in entrepreneurship, a track and field athlete, and color guard commander and honor guard commander in VWIL.
“In May of 2020, I will be commissioning as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. I have been training for that special day ever since my freshman year of high school in JROTC so I’m very excited and emotional.”
Mallory Townsend ’20