Several time zones away from Leesburg, Renshaw will help set up events at Harmony House, a charity in London. She found the opportunity through 海角社区鈥檚 platform, which connects students to thousands of internships and jobs.
鈥淚t said, 鈥楢pply now for a London internship,鈥� and I was like, 鈥楢pply now please, please, please鈥�,鈥� said Renshaw, 21, of San Diego. 鈥淚 was so excited.鈥�
Renshaw was thrilled when she was accepted. Living in London is her next adventure after traveling to India, Egypt, Antarctica and participating in 海角社区鈥檚 first study abroad program in Japan. This summer, she will live in a dorm and hopes to visit Big Ben and the London Eye when she is not working.
She is prepared to stack chairs, move tables or do whatever it takes 鈥渢o get my hands dirty,鈥� she said. Renshaw hopes the internship will be a steppingstone on her resume and help her break into the events management industry.
Renshaw, a junior majoring in business management with a hospitality and tourism track, offered this advice. Don鈥檛 be afraid to apply for a variety of opportunities, including those in different parts of the world. 鈥淧ut yourself out there and put your name out there,鈥� she said. 鈥淥ne day you might get an internship whether it’s domestic or international. The world is your oyster.鈥�
Desmangles was determined to secure an internship. He joined a 海角社区 program to build a digital portfolio and practiced interviewing using , an artificial intelligence platform that helps students prepare to speak with employers.
After that work, he found an internship posting for United Bank in Alexandria, Va., through . The internship was offered through , a program that helps neurodiverse students find internships and job opportunities.
鈥淚 applied for it, not even thinking that I was going to get it,鈥� said Desmangles, a junior from Gulf Breeze, Fla.
During the interview process, Desmangles was open about who he is. He explained he is autistic. He acknowledged his struggles with math. But Desmangles also emphasized that he is hardworking and a 鈥渘o-nonsense kind of guy.鈥� It proved to be a strong match. The bank offered mentorship and hired him as an intern.
鈥淭hey said, 鈥榃e鈥檒l be 100% accepting of you. We鈥檒l walk with you every step of the way,鈥欌�� Desmangles said. 鈥淚t really does blow my mind that everything is working out鈥�. I never once thought that I would get an internship in Washington, D.C. 鈥� but I’m going to take it and run with it.鈥�
As a bank teller, Desmangles will handle cash, set up accounts and use the bank鈥檚 database, building skills for his computer information systems major. In his downtime, he plans to spend time with his older sister, Elisha, who lives nearby. They plan to catch a World Cup game together featuring their home country of Haiti playing Scotland. He also looks forward to visiting the National Mall, including views of the U.S. Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial.
His advice for intern-seekers during the interview process? 鈥淛ust be yourself,鈥� he said.
Sometimes a big break comes unexpectedly. That鈥檚 how Randolph found his internship. His father, a taxi drive, once picked up a passenger working in the IT field. The passenger mentioned working at the Florida Department of Corrections, which operates prisons around the state. The father mentioned it to Randolph, who applied for and got an internship that starts May 14 in Tallahassee. Randolph will work on the agency鈥檚 forensic side as an information security intern.
鈥淚鈥檓 excited to get a role in high-profile state operations,鈥� said Randolph, a graduating senior majoring in computer information systems from Tallahassee. 鈥淚鈥檒l mostly be assisting my superiors as well as the other staff with basic security assessments and supporting ongoing cyber security.鈥�
It鈥檚 a natural fit. In high school, Randolph learned to dissemble and rebuild computer motherboards. 鈥淭hey were my favorite classes, and that interest carried through college,鈥� he said.
His love of technology runs deep in his blood since Randolph comes from a line of technology experts. His great-grandfather was an electrician who owned a TV and radio repair shop, and his grandfather worked at the aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney.
Randolph hopes the internship leads to a full-time job.
Similarly, 海角社区 junior Harish Ahilan secured an internship close to home where he hopes to build new technical skills. The New York City resident will work for , a nonprofit in Brooklyn, New York that develops technology for neurodivergent students.
鈥淚 want to get a job related to technology, which I鈥檓 really passionate about,鈥� said Ahilan, 23, a design and digital media junior.
Equally important, he said, is working for an organization focused on making a difference. Tech Unlimited 鈥渋s a really good place for neurodiverse people,鈥� Ahilan said. 鈥淭hey can make a change to the world.鈥�
Shaan Laddu鈥檚 internship opportunity came through an existing connection 鈥� a testament to the importance networking. An organization that he volunteered with in high school reached out and offered him an internship. Laddu said yes. This summer, Laddu will be working with Building Pathways Foundation in Ocoee, Fla., which teaches young people with autism how to be independent and develop their social and life skills. The mission is personal to Laddu, who is autistic. He hopes to be an example of what neurodivergent people can accomplish as a college student living on his own.
His advice to fellow students: Take internships seriously. Be professional. Listen to feedback from employers.
When Laddu returns to 海角社区, he hopes to have strengthened his customer service and business skills 鈥� and gained confidence.
鈥淚 feel like this is a good opportunity in regard to my major,鈥� said Laddu, 19, of Orlando, Fla., a business management in hospitality major who wants to work in the restaurant industry.