August 28, 2018

Theory Into Practice

Students shine in a variety of summer internships.

Puthyda Keath '19 at her summer internship with OHSU. Puthyda Keath ’19 at her summer internship with OHSU.

At Lewis & Clark, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to put your classroom knowledge to the test in the real world. Our Career Center helps connect students to organizations across the country and around the globe that will allow you to learn more about the workplace and acquire invaluable experience through internships. To make it possible for students to take advantage of full-time, unpaid internship opportunities, we offer financial support through the Stephanie Fowler and Irving Levin Summer Internship Award.

This summer, our students were able to conduct research, make connections, and explore career paths at places like Nike, Oregon Health & Science University, and the Portland State University herbarium. Here are some of their stories. 

Kyle Owens '19 Kyle Owens ’19

Hometown: Los Altos, California
Major: Rhetoric and Media Studies
Internship: Nike

This internship has helped me confirm what I want to do after graduation. Specifically, I want to stay connected with sports and my strong passion for fashion and athletic apparel. Heading into my senior year, I am better equipped with the knowledge, skills, and connections to begin my career on the right foot. This internship has taught me a tremendous amount about what it takes to secure a new job and be successful in that job.

Puthyda Keath '19 Puthyda Keath ’19

Hometown: Banteay Meanchey, Cambodia
Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Internship: Oregon Health & Science University

My dream is to become a pediatrician. Being able to shadow one has opened my eyes to the difference this profession makes in children’s lives and further motivated me to pursue my passion.

Without the tremendous support from the L&C community, I would not be able to get such incredible hands-on experience in a professional working environment.

Hannah Machiorlete '20 Hannah Machiorlete ’20

Hometown: Kīhei, Hawaiʻi
Major: Biology
Internship: Portland State University herbarium

My meaningful experience would not have been possible without the support of the L&C community. Parvaneh Abbaspour, Lewis & Clark’s science and data services librarian, connected me with my PSU mentors, with whom L&C natural history students have partnered in the past. However, my internship at PSU is a volunteer position. Thankfully, I heard about the Fowler and Levin Internship Award from the Career Center. Parvaneh, with additional support from the Career Center, successfully guided me through the proposal application process.

Nick Tan '19 Nick Tan ’19

Hometown: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Majors: Computer Science and Mathematics
Minor: Economics
Internship: Zapproved

I got to work closely with the product department and discovered I enjoyed it very much. I appreciate how the product department combines technical knowledge with strong communication, organizing product roadmaps and features, and so on. My intention after graduation is to become a software engineer, and now I see a possibility of transitioning into product development sometime in the future.

Madeline Bentley '19 Madeleine Bentley ’19

Hometown: Bainbridge Island, Washington
Major: Sociology and Anthropology
Minor: Religious Studies
Internship: Suquamish Museum

The most interesting part of my job so far has been getting the chance to learn history directly from the primary articles and manuscripts themselves, rather than through secondary books or in a class. To actually read about events in the words of the people who lived them is such a privilege.

Mackenzie Kirkpatrick '19 Mackenzie Kirkpatrick ’19

Hometown: Evanston, Illinois
Major: Art History
Internship: The Hole Gallery

Through my internship I have gained skills that I can use to pursue a career in the arts. I have also made lasting professional connections with my coworkers.

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