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Interns of the Year
Every year AIP honors an intern from each college for exemplary performance in their internships. Interns of the year are chosen based on their supervisor evaluations, the level of commitment to their responsibilities within their internships, as well as the high caliber of work on their research papers. The selected students are acknowledged for their accomplishments at a special annual recognition event hosted by the AIP staff and the Provost of Warren College, Steven Adler.
Congratulations to the UCSD Intern of the Year Students for 2008!
Intern of the Year Students - 2008
Thurgood Marshall College Recipient Ariel Peterson
Student Ariel Peterson and Grandmother Ariel Peterson , Cultural Gender Studies Excerpts from student essay regarding the internship experience: “My internship experience at Freedom Is Not Free (FINF) enabled me to grow on academic, personal, and career levels. Freedom Is Not Free is a nonprofit organization that aids wounded soldiers and their families, and the families of the fatally wounded. My interest to intern at Freedom Is Not Free stemmed from my studies of the military and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While preparing to write my Critical Gender Studies Honors Thesis, I came across the military’s poor treatment of soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder. My internship experience enabled me to take my studies to the next level by actually helping the soldiers in need. I wrote an informational article for the newsletter about PTSD in soldiers, planned an event to increase awareness and funds to help soldiers with PTSD, and partnered with other organizations to get PDAs for soldiers with PTSD and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). …interning at Freedom is Not Free introduced me to the complex relationship between nonprofit organizations and the government... Because Freedom is Not Free works with the military, the organization must respect the military and the government in order to function. I learned that while working in the often-liberal nonprofit world there is a limit to the problems that can be addressed and solved… which [is a lesson that] will help me in my career working at these organizations.”
Student Robert Rishwain and Student Cecilia Yang Robert Rishwain, Human Biology Excerpts from student essay regarding the internship experience: “I chose this internship because I have always loved being around animals and it was relevant to my biology major. While working there, I grew on both a personal and academic level. However, the most important outcome of this experience was realizing that I want to become a veterinarian. This internship was a big step for me personally… [It] was initially very challenging for me due to my fear of blood. I noticed that the veterinarians performing the surgeries never seemed to worry or panic when the patient started to bleed. Being able to observe others handle the situation with ease allowed me to understand that there is nothing to fear. I feel that I have become a stronger, more confident person because of this experience. Academically, I have learned more than I could have imagined. Prior to this experience, my major and academic interests pointed to a career in medicine, however I never felt particularly drawn to the field of healthcare. Having completed this internship, I feel as if a new world has opened up to me. To discover a career that combines my love of animals with my interest in science is a perfect fit. After finishing my internship, I was thrilled to receive a call offering me a position at the clinic. It is because of [the staff] I have learned so much about this profession and myself over the short span of ten weeks. While working at the clinic over the next year, I look forward to mentoring other interns from UCSD so that perhaps I can influence their life the way Kearney Mesa Veterinary Clinic has influenced mine. “
John Muir College Recipient - Cecilia Yang
Cecilia Yang, Biochemistry and Cell Biology Excerpts from student essay regarding the internship experience: “Interning at the Cancer Center has been such a great experience overall, and I am really thankful that I was accepted into this internship. When I first signed up for the internship, one of my goals was to improve in my American Sign Language (ASL) conversation skills. Thankfully, my supervisor recognized that this was one of my goals, so she assigned me to a project where I would be working with a deaf chef in San Diego to produce a nutritional cooking video geared toward eating healthy and preventing disease. I discovered that learning ASL in an academic setting is much different when using it in a work setting like at the Deaf Outreach office. Another learning moment that I had, related to academics, was my further understanding of how research in public health operates. Taking an introductory course in public health gave me a vague idea of how our society decides what to do about the health problems of the nation, but after participating in a public health-oriented internship, I learned a lot about the inner workings of public health research… Friendship and personal awareness are what I gained on a personal level at my internship. I also am happy to say that I found a niche in being comfortable in using American Sign Language on a day to day basis. “
Sixth College Recipient- Nika Rastakhiz
Student Nika Rastakhiz,and Warren College Provost, Steven Adler Nika Rastakhiz, Communication Excerpts from student essay regarding the internship experience: “Prior to my experience with the Academic Internship Program, I was unsure, anxious, and basically frightened of my future career goals and plans. After showing some interest in real estate law, I decided to begin an internship with Walsh & Chacon Commercial Real Estate to gain more experience and knowledge about the real estate environment. My experiences throughout this internship were anything but ordinary. Although my tasks were challenging, worthwhile, educational, and great for my resume, my most valuable gain through this internship was the confidence I gained through experience with this field, which has carried over to my personal life as well. As a formerly shy and usually timid individual, this environment and frenzied nature of the business world and commercial real estate market was a very new experience. Nevertheless, through my academic internship at Walsh Chacon, I learned that having confidence in my decisions and abilities, as well as a positive mindset is essential in succeeding in not only the business world, but through the obstacles of everyday life as well. Although it may sound silly that a simple 10-week long internship has changed such essential qualities about my personality, I truly believe that my experiences with the people, environment, and tasks given to me at Walsh Chacon have strengthened my personal weaknesses, altered my perspective on school, jobs, and social circumstances, and have prepared me for the remainder of my college life and career opportunities thereafter.”
Roger Revelle College Recipient- Amy Smith
Student Amy Smith and Representative from Senator Barbara Boxers Office Mark Stafford Amy Smith, Political Science Excerpts from student essay regarding the internship experience: “As a political science major, interning with Senator Barbara Boxer has helped me to narrow down what a career in politics entails, change my career goals for the future, and supplement my studies. My time at the Senator’s office has also helped me to further articulate my future career plans after graduation. I joined the Academic Internship Program looking for the chance to work in a domestic political office that would allow me to study the American government firsthand. I wanted to… work in an office that paralleled the subjects I am studying in my political science courses. However, [this internship] has also helped me to change and narrow down my career plans to include international law and politics. I am now specifically interested in attending law school with a concentration in international law so that I can work for [an] international agency or non-governmental organization. I have been a political science major starting from my first day of classes here at UCSD and this internship has been a great supplement by giving me a glimpse at what a career in politics entails. I am proud that this [experience] has paid off for me in the short-term with the offer of a hired position for the summer.”Eleanor Roosevelt College- Natacha Tullier
Student Natacha Tullier and Supervisor Monika Wert Natacha Tullier, Communication Excerpts from student essay regarding the internship experience: “Participating in an academic internship is one of the most rewarding experiences I have had over the course of my studies and involvement at the university. Not only did it permit me to get hands on experience in a field of interest, but it especially helped me realize my personal strengths, as well as weaknesses in a professional and highly interactive environment. Academically, my marketing/event internship at the Museum of Man has reinforced my interest and strengths in my studies. By receiving hands on experience in marketing and event planning, I am able to better apply my developed skills, such as writing and public speaking to my in-class activities and assignments… and significantly improve my decision making skills. In terms of my future career ambitions… while I had never considered an actual career in museums or event planning, I fell in love with the Museum, as well as Balboa Park. This experience has allowed me to discover a career interest in which my outgoing personality, as well as my written and verbal skills are especially applicable. [It] has not only become a grateful source for my resume, but a good foundation for my hopes to go into destination management or non-profit event planning. By trying something different, or unexpected, one can actually discover what suits one best, as it did for me.”
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