Exceeding expectations: Internships a ‘win-win’ for students, businesses
Miami University is ranked in the top 15 for best public schools for internships by the Princeton Review
From conducting analysis on electric aviation components at NASA’s Glenn Research Center to helping build affordable homes with Habitat for Humanity, Miami University students are taking advantage of the hands-on experiences afforded by the university’s robust internship opportunities.
Miami routinely rates as one of the top public schools in the nation in terms of internships. The Princeton Review ranked Miami as No. 12 in the Top 20 Best Schools for Internships (Public Schools) for 2024.
Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering major and Honors College student Sarah Freeman spent her summer close to the one place she’s always wanted to travel: space. Freeman’s work as a sustainable aviation intern at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland had her conducting analysis on electric aviation components and running the same outreach events she once attended as a child.
Because of NASA’s ‘30,000-foot view’ (aptly named for cruising altitude) approach to a well-rounded internship experience, she’s received training in both technical work and soft skills such as communication and logistics that are needed to bring her ideas to life.
“I would say this experience exceeds my childhood expectations,” Freeman said. “When I pull into the parking lot every morning and see the NASA logo, it never gets old.”
Honors College ULIP program helps create student impact
Students also make tangible differences in communities close to Miami’s Oxford campus.
The Urban Leadership Internship Program (ULIP) brings Miami students to Dayton, Ohio, for a 10-week, grant-funded summer experience to explore civic engagement, leadership development, and their future careers.
But what kind of work makes the biggest impact?
“You get to decide that,” said Erin Wahler, assistant director of student enrichment in the Honors College. “So you'll have conversations with your internship coordinator, and you'll get to decide what your main goals for the summer are.”
And although those goals can vary depending on what each student wants to achieve, every participant can explore real-world applications to what they learn in the classroom. It was those kinds of transformative learning opportunities that College Transitions cited when ranking Miami’s Honors College the No. 6 such program in the U.S. No two student experiences are alike, and that goes for ULIP, too.
Take international student Anastasija Mladenovska, for example. Her passion for justice, inspired by a childhood in the Balkans, has led her to the Greater Dayton Volunteers Lawyers Project. She helps coordinate legal aid for low-income community members.
Or Architecture major Aliyah Bing. She decided to offer her services to Habitat for Humanity and has spent the summer addressing the housing crisis by building affordable homes for families.
“I feel like being a part of this internship has helped me just grow more passionate about the things that I'm passionate about,” Bing said. “Being an active participant in helping people, beyond just wanting to help people and actually getting to do it now.”
Janelle Tipton, a Spanish Education and Spanish double major, feels similarly. Her time in ULIP has been spent developing educational material for teachers at the Miami Valley Child Development Center.
“I think the most impactful part of this entire experience has just been being able to learn and grow every single day,” Tipton said. “It's kind of rare to find a job where you walk into the building and you're expecting to learn something new every single day, but that's just been something that I've gotten to do here.”
Even though all three of them have spent their summers exploring very different fields, Mladenovska, Bing, and Tipton agree: It’s been an invaluable experience making a contribution to the greater good of the community.
Jamie Ripperger, Theatre and Arts Entrepreneurship double major
Jamie Ripperger, Theatre and Arts Entrepreneurship double major
‘Every day I look forward to going into work’
Miami alumnus Seth Harms, director of Supply Network Operations Global Innovation Air Care at Procter & Gamble, sees a student internship as the chance to learn new skills, sharpen existing strengths, and learn about opportunities for growth.
Harms describes internships as a win-win situation for the student intern and the company.
“They come in with fresh eyes, a new creative perspective, and deliver a very strong impact to our business. So, it is absolutely a win for us,” he said. “For the interns, it is an opportunity to work with one of the best supply chain companies in the world, determine if this is the type of career they want to pursue, obtain incredible coaching and skill development, and, of course, have some fun.”
Lexi Laskonis, a junior from Rockford, Illinois, and double major in Supply Chain and Operations Management and Business Analytics, had a 12-week summer internship at Procter & Gamble.
Laskonis said having an internship opened many doors and provided lessons and connections that will be valuable throughout her professional career.
“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to work with a global supply chain leader who makes brands we all know and love,” said Laskonis, a supply network operations intern. “Every day I look forward to going into work, and I feel like my contributions have direct impacts and are valued.”
As part of Miami’s Altman Institute for Entrepreneurship, a cross-disciplinary program that emphasizes research and immersive, real-world learning opportunities, Theatre and Arts Entrepreneurship double major Jamie Ripperger was connected to the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company for a custom experience.
“It's administrative,” said Ripperger, who is also a member of the Honors College. “So I'm going to meetings, I'm dealing with some data analysis. It's still like a sit down, 9-to-5 job, but it's all based around theater. And theater is my everything.”
Jacob Farmer, Business Economics major
Jacob Farmer, Business Economics major
Business Economics major and Oxford native Jacob Farmer also experienced his first time away from home and his first time working in an office setting. As an intern for Ohio House Rep. Warren Davidson, he’s been able to get a firsthand view of how policy comes together on the House floor. Farmer, an Honors College student drawn to the analysis side of economics, even worked on a project with the office’s Financial Services Council to present to the congressman.
“It's been a huge transition and such a great adventure,” Farmer said. “It's been super enjoyable and stressful at times, and kind of chaotic and crazy, but it's been a lot of fun and I've really enjoyed it.”
Although he expected to complete an internship at some point during his college career, securing one before his sophomore year was a welcome surprise.
“I thought I'd have something eventually because Miami is so full of opportunities, but that it came so quickly was a shock,” Farmer said. “All the doors kind of opened at once. All the right things fell into place to get me here and that was definitely because of Miami.”
To learn more about internships at Miami University, visit MiamiOH.edu/career
This content is sponsored and provided by Miami University and developed by Inside Higher Ed's sponsored content team. The editorial staff of Inside Higher Ed had no role in its creation.
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