Internships offer many benefits to ODI Scholars, providing valuable work experience and allowing Scholars to develop skills that are essential in the workplace, such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management. Through their internships, our ODI Scholars are exploring different industries and roles, helping them to determine career paths and showing employees just how amazing they are.
Read on to learn more about our ODI Scholars and their internship experiences.
Stories written by ODI intern Paige Galperin.
Jared Alonzo
Second-year ODI Scholar (MSP) Jared Alonzo is spending his summer in McLean, Virginia, with the Capital One Early Internship Program, designed for historically underrepresented students. Jared interns as an analyst with the Mainstreet card line team, which focuses on transitioning customers from subprime to prime rate credit cards. This summer, Jared is helping roll out a financial health tool on the Capital One app and website.
“My days are very busy and very hectic,” Alonzo noted, “but it has been really rewarding, and I’m learning a lot.”
Benjamin Brooks
Third-year ODI Scholar (MSP) Benjamin Brooks is spending his summer as an intern at Cleveland City Council under President Blaine Griffin. By answering constituents’ phone calls, reviewing policies with his team, assisting Council President Executive Assistant Lavita Parker, and creating posts for the city council social media page, Benjamin has been able to gain a deeper understanding of how city governments operate. He also spends time shadowing the Council President and engaging with the Cleveland community face-to-face.
“This internship has developed me in many ways,” Brooks said, “from expanding my network to giving me the exposure I need to help me navigate what I want to do in my future career.”
Koury Harmon
Third-year ODI Scholar (MSP) Koury Harmon is spending his summer as a STEP (Student Training in Engineering) intern at Google in New York City. Koury works in the corporate engineering department, which focuses on building internal apps and services to improve Google operations. Alongside his project partner and internship host, Koury is currently helping develop a performance testing suite to ensure the team’s applications run correctly.
“Being an intern at Google has been an amazing experience. I’ve met so many new people and had incredible experiences,” Harmon commented. “One event I enjoyed the most was Citi Field Day, where the entire Mets Stadium was rented out for us to explore various activities. Throughout the internship, I have built valuable connections and gained both interpersonal and technical skills, and I am so grateful for this opportunity!”
Clare Matthews
Fifth-year ODI Scholar (MSP) Clare Matthews is spending her summer as an urban planning intern at MKSK, a planning, design, and landscape architecture firm headquartered in Columbus. Clare is helping with a variety of projects, from transportation corridor development to updating comprehensive city records, strengthening her skills in community research, data analysis, mapping in ArcGIS Pro, and designing in Adobe Suite. She even had the opportunity to help with Camp Architecture at the Ohio State Knowlton School.
“My degree [in Environment, Economy, Development, and Sustainability] taught me a lot about community capital and public engagement with a diverse skillset and knowledge bank, allowing me to thrive in a field as multifaceted as urban planning. I plan to pursue a career in this field and focus on cities’ capability to intersect sustainability and social science,” Matthews explained. “I am so grateful for MKSK and everything I have learned thus far for setting me up for where I will continue to go.”
Jaquelyn Saldana
Fourth-year ODI Scholar (LSS) Jaquelyn Saldana spent part of her summer as a linguistics chair and clinical intern in Cusco, Peru, through an Ohio State Center for Ethnic Studies travel and research grant. During her two-week trip, Jaquelyn shadowed medical professionals in intake, vitals, and pharmacy; helped with English-Spanish translation among patients, staff, and volunteers; and visited an orphanage, where she educated staff and children about nutrition. She also had time to explore Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, Rainbow Mountain, and other local spots.
“My favorite part of my internship was the incredible people I was able to interact with. The kindness and generosity from staff, volunteers, my host family, and the local people is something I will always cherish,” Saldana said. “My future plans include going to graduate school and achieving a master's degree in public health. Being able to learn about a system different than the U.S., and even more personal to me in Latin America, was always a goal of mine in my undergrad years and will continue to provide me with unique real-world knowledge and be useful in my academic endeavors.”
Latifat Sulaimon
Fourth-year ODI Scholar (MSP) Latifat Sulaimon is spending her summer as a talent acquisition intern at Southwest Airlines in Dallas, Texas. Latifat works on a variety of projects with a focus on enhancing diverse employee representation at Southwest, helping with event planning, tours, intern recruitment, payroll, communications, and more. She also had the opportunity to connect with MSP alum Ezequiel Herrera, her leadership advisor.
“I’m very grateful that ODI can give you that extended family throughout the US,” Sulaimon said. “The biggest thing I love about my role is that I get to wear so many hats.”
Paris Thompson
Fourth-year ODI Scholar (MSP) Paris Thompson is spending her summer interning at Accenture in San Francisco, California. As a technology analyst intern, Thompson helps manage and convey business requirements for two clients and focuses on Salesforce-driven solutions. She also had the opportunity to attend the Accenture Summer Leadership Conference in St. Charles, Illinois.
“It has been great to spend time with all of my fellow coworkers this summer,” Thompson stated.