Session II: 1:30–2:25 pm

Improving Elderly Care Through Multidisciplinary Observations

Acute Care for Elders (ACE) Unit, a pilot program, at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts, looked for ways to improve health care for their geriatric patients by treating the whole patient and addressing symptoms on an individually level. Patients received care from a multidisciplinary team comprised of geriatricians, pharmacists, nurses, social workers, and research assistants. This group of experts presented results with an outcome of delirium reduction, reduced falls, eliminated unnecessary prescriptions, and reduced hospital stay. Using the REDCap database along with the Short Confusion Assessment Method (Short CAM) and mini-cognitive test scores, improved the identifications and recognition of delirium. As a research assistant working as part of a team, I had individual responsibilities, which included interviewing patients, managing my work schedule and deadlines, daily and monthly data entry involving patients’ conditions and recommendations to improve care.

Movies and Memories: Finding the Connection between Narrative Film and Improved Recall in Older Adults

How do we remember all the different parts of each day of our lives, and how does our ability to remember weaken with age? Our brains are constantly breaking down our experiences into organized units through a process called event segmentation, which helps us to remember everything that happens. As adults get older, both their ability to segment events and their memories get weaker. Interestingly, though, older adults are still able to successfully keep track of narrative film plots. I worked this summer at Grand Valley State University on a psychology project investigating whether this could be due to movie editing styles, as the camera often focuses in on important points and emphasizes the events. I focused on organizing the participants’ responses and the video materials, coding data and planning how best to analyze the results. My internship was less structured than anticipated, which added a new challenge as I learned to manage my own schedule, progress, and deadlines. This talk will focus on what I discovered about memory research, as well as self-management and motivation.

Efficacy of Baclofen in a Mouse Model of Binge Drinking

The High Drinking in the Dark (HDID) protocol in which heterogeneous stock mice are given access to alcohol three hours into the circadian dark cycle was created to model binge drinking in mice. This protocol was used to breed two strains of mice that are more prone to high alcohol consumption levels and high blood alcohol levels, hinting that there is a genetic factor in alcohol consumption. In studies done this summer, HDID mice received doses of the drug baclofen prior to binge drinking in order to identify the pharmacological agent’s effect on alcohol consumption levels. Research was done at the VA Portland Health Care System in Portland, OR.

Researching Emotion Processes

This summer I was a research assistant in the Clinical Affective Sciences Lab at the Psychology Department at UMass Amherst. This is a lab that focuses on psychopathology, specifically, factors that cause and maintain borderline personality disorder (BPD), emotion dysregulation, and self-injury, as well as evidence-based treatments for these disorders (e.g., dialectical behavior therapy). Over the course of the summer my responsibilities as a research assistant included assisting in a big data de-identification project, learning basic skills in creating experiments with the software E-Prime, proofreading surveys and manuscripts, testing the experiments and surveys that are to be presented to participants, learning how to collect Psycho-physiological data, creating and entering surveys into Qualtrics. Furthermore, I gained more in-depth knowledge of BPD, emotion regulation processes and dialectical behavior therapy. Through this internship I gained crucial experience with psychological research that will help me in my future academic endeavors in my senior year (as I will be working on an honors thesis project), as well as in graduate school.

From the Largest Cranberry Bogs to the Smallest Streams: The Importance and Application of Restoration Ecology

As climate change and human development continue to drastically alter the environment, restoration ecology is becoming more important than ever. Restoration ecology is the scientific study and practice of assisting the recovery of an ecosystem that has been damaged, degraded, or destroyed. Scientists, landscape architects, students, and community members all come together to create a project that sets the damaged landscape on a path of improved health and function. This summer, I worked with Kate Ballantine and her lab to collect soil, water, greenhouse gas, and vegetation data from Project Stream one-year post restoration. The goals of the Project Stream restoration were to improve the quality of water that enters Upper Lake, to increase the dominance of native plant species, and to use this project as tool to educate and involve members of the community. In addition, we worked with the Tidmarsh Project to collect data on greenhouse gas flux to learn more about newly restored wetlands and to contribute to the growing body of data of retired cranberry bog restoration sites. The Tidmarsh Project is a large-scale restoration ecology project that seeks to restore retired cranberry bogs back into wetlands. Although both projects are very different, both have helped me gain an understanding and appreciation for the important work that has begun in the new field of restoration ecology, especially regarding the restoration of wetlands. I learned how to collect data on wetland health and how the complex work of restoration ecology is so significant and needed in the face of climate change and land development.

River Restoration after Damming: Developing an Understanding of Environmental Consequences

For this internship, I assisted on various projects related to the removal of two large dams on the Elwha River in Washington. The main project focused on riverine health based on chlorophyll levels and organisms living on the stream floor, and is especially important because these features form the basis of the habitat for spawning salmon. The dams blocked salmon returning to spawn, and their subsequent removal left the water dirtied and uninhabitable for many species. This research is critical for understanding the health of the ecosystem, and was an equally critical experience for enriching my understanding of biological systems in effect. With the knowledge and data I gained from this experience, I have developed a research project for the Five College Coastal and Marine Science certificate, which I will complete over this semester and the next. It focuses on the chlorophyll levels of algae found within the river, and how they have changed before, during, and after dam removal. Human-caused environmental problems most often need human assistance and design to solve, and yet any choice, even the one that seems best, will continue to have environmental consequences. I hope by developing my internship experience further with this research project, I can gain a wider understanding of the process underlying this delicate balance between human action and environmental recovery.

Here Comes the Sun: Organic Solar Cell Research at MHC

Usage of fossil fuels accounts for the majority of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, the primary pollutants associated with anthropogenic (human caused) climate change. In addition, pollutants from coal and oil burning processes contribute to approximately 200,000 deaths per year in the United States alone. Because of the devastating effects of fossil fuels on our environment, we have an immediate and pressing need to develop alternative energy sources. Solar offers a very promising alternative; the Sun is a virtually unlimited fount of energy in comparison with the energy consumption of our entire planet. This summer, I worked in Professor Alexi Arango’s lab at Mount Holyoke developing thin-film organic solar cells. These cells, which rely on simple organic compounds for their absorbing layers, are light, flexible, and can be complete in under a day. In my laboratory experience, I was involved in every step of the research process, from planning our experiments to fabricating and testing the cells, and even to converting the data into graphs and figures that would be used in grant proposals to fund further research. My lab group and I also contributed to the day-to-day administration of the lab: we ordered supplies, took stock of our current supplies, cleaned equipment, calibrated equipment, wrote SOPs (standard operating procedures) on new machinery, organized disposal of hazardous waste, and helped edit the lab’s website. This summer, I successfully undertook all of these responsibilities while learning to manage a research team, gaining new understanding of the physics of solar cells, and fostering my love of scientific inquiry. This presentation will elaborate on these themes, particularly in the context of their importance to current environmental concerns and their effect on my future plans.

Restoration after Dam-age

Beginning in 2011, as the largest dam removal project in history, the two dams that were on the Elwha River for almost a century came down. Damming a river has major effects on the health of an ecosystem: plants, fish, and wildlife are all affected. With the reservoirs empty, the banks of the now narrow river were devoid of vegetation and thousands of tons of sediment flowed out to the estuary. The Elwha River Revegetation Project, within Olympic National Park, is one element of a multifaceted initiative to restore the Elwha River Valley ecosystem after dam removal. As an intern with the project I spent time collecting seeds, and propagating and transplanting plants at the Matt Albright Native Plant Center. Paired with a scientist from the Revegetation Crew I hiked out from the former dam site to the monitoring plots on the banks of the river. We tracked the progress of the vegetation in the plots to see how the ground cover and species make up has changed from the previous years. It was amazing to be part of a project so much bigger than myself. I learned about the interconnectedness of the ecosystem and people, and I gained an immense appreciation for National Parks and the people who work for the National Parks Service. The internship put a lot of things in perspective for me and solidified my previous learning from Mount Holyoke, I have progressed as a field scientist and have a better idea of my goals for the future.

Tackling Transition: Gender Growth through the Ages and Creating a Community of Validation and Support

Children go through many transitions very quickly, and most families are usually prepared for the obvious. However, many families do not expect for their child to come out as transgender or gender non-conforming at such as young age. Working with the non-profit organization Translate Gender, located in Northampton, Massachusetts, I was given the opportunity to help create and facilitate support and education for parents and families of transgender and gender non-conforming children. As an intern, I was able to help facilitate support groups, create and present workshops and presentations, and to design a website that was suitable for outreach for those searching for sources. This opportunity taught me so much about working with children, professionally educating about gender, and how to run to collective-based, consensus-run non-profit. This internship offered me incredibly important feedback into what I would like to do after undergrad and how to employ my passion for supporting gender minorities and assisting gender education into a future career. This presentation will offer a chance to explore ways to support children through their journeys to discover and question gender, how to help those that are in need of support through times of transitions, and how to find resources and ways of educating yourself and others about gender.

Meeting Them Halfway: Working With New Students During Their Initial College Transition

A key part of growing up and moving to college is learning to balance time and energy in our lives; this is true for both new students and the staff working to create a college orientation program. Working full-time as one of two student-coordinators for new student orientation at Mount Holyoke, I learned to balance many aspects of my life, from relationships with coworkers and supervisors and new students, to balancing my time as I juggled multiple projects that all ultimately had the same due date: orientation weekend. Our three-person team of full-time staff strategically allocated the resources of time and effort to find the best balance between solo-projects and group work, in order to avoid unnecessary work due to under-staffing or overcrowding. Once our small team of student leaders joined us, we juggled the demands of focusing on their leadership training as well as putting the final touches on a myriad of orientation events. In a broad sense, this experience helped me recognize the importance of organization and time and energy management. Moreover, this hands-on experience working with the Division of Student life reinforced by goal to work in higher education. I have a better understanding of the ways in which a college administration must find a balance between authority and relatability with its new and returning students, as well as finding the balance between what is feasible from a logistical standpoint and what sets new students up for the best possible transition to a new community. This presentation will explore the many roles, formal and informal, of orientation staff, as well as the personal and professional challenges and rewards of working on such a high-visibility project with a small, personality-driven team.

The Right Mix Between Professionalism and Friendship

How do you create a strong relationship with students while keeping a distinction between being an informal friend and a teacher? After spending six weeks with under-resourced students at Breakthrough Twin Cities (BTC), I have found that there is no “right” answer to this question; no two students are the same and getting to know individuals on a personal level will vary. BTC is a six-year educational commitment outside the traditional classroom setting. College students gain experience in a classroom through teaching middle-schoolers materials that will be covered during the school year. BTC is tailored for highly motivated middles school students who typically do not have the resources to reach college, and is much more than just summer school; BTC is a community. In middle and high school, I had the opportunity to take part in BTC as a student. This summer I was able to return as a science teaching fellow and experience the program, an integral part of my journey to college, from a different perspective. A unique component of BTC is its emphasis and motto of students teaching students, which ultimately creates a teaching-learning dynamic that allows current BTC students a glimpse into their potential as student-teachers. As a student, I didn’t realize how much went into running a program like BTC, but after the summer I realized that teaching is more than just a job: it’s a lifestyle. It is a way of connecting with students while maintaining professionalism and ensuring their success. This presentation will explore how having and creating a community-based learning space can impact how a student learns as well as how these can be translated into our daily lives while learning here on campus.

The Classroom, The Dorm and The Campus: Finding Ways to Teach Inside and Outside the Classroom at a Boarding School

Summer programs at private New England boarding schools offer their students a taste of the boarding school experience. For many students, this is their first time away from home; for some, it’s their first time in the United States. Living and learning at a boarding school is an immersive experience, and it creates a space in which students learn both academically and culturally. As an educator in this space, there are a variety of hats one must wear: teacher, coach, dorm parent and role model. The job is truly around the clock. It’s imperative that educators in this environment be aware of the variety of social factors that come into play when dealing with a diverse student body in such a new and unique environment (socioeconomic backgrounds, religions, educational experiences, etc.). This presentation will explore questions of responsibility as an educator, specifically in regards to this type of educational environment. Additionally, it will detail the experience of a teaching-intern in the privileged environment of an elite boarding school.

Healthcare Solutions for Africa

HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis fall under the top five causes of death in Zimbabwe and Efavirenz is the drug widely used to treat patients infected with both diseases. One challenge African populations face with European or American developed drugs is that the stipulated optimal dosage of the medicine does not always work well with African genotypes. For example, 600mg of Efavirenz are given to adult patients per day for the treatment of HIV. This dosage has been associated with varying amounts of the drug in the blood plasma of patients as different people metabolize the drug in dissimilar ways. Elevated amounts of the drug have been linked to central nervous system side effects.
I interned at the African Institute of Biomedical Science and Technology (AiBST), a research institute in Zimbabwe that endeavors to find health solutions for Africa in the summer of 2016. I studied different genotypes of the enzyme cytochrome P450 2B6 (CYP2B6), a liver enzyme that metabolizes Efavirenz in the body. Variants of CYP2B6 function differently which sometimes results in either lower or higher concentrations of Efavirenz in the blood plasma than the therapeutic range. The most common variant of the enzyme in African populations CYP2B6*6 is not as efficient as the reference genotype allele and therefore results in high levels of Efavirenz in blood plasma. African populations therefore require a lower dosage of the drug to achieve the therapeutic range. It is important to know the genotype of the CYP2B6 enzymes in patients so that the right amount of drug can be administered to fit CYP2B6 efficacy.

Across a Lifespan: Examining and Addressing a Community in Need

Every three years, nonprofit hospitals are required to conduct a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) and a Community Health Implementation Plan (CHIP). These documents are intended for the hospitals to understand the broad healthcare needs of their communities. This summer, I worked with CHRISTUS St. Vincent (CSV) Regional Medical Center in Santa Fe, NM as a Community Health Intern to help with research related to their CHNA and CHIP. My internship gave me insight into both the health disparities in a minority-majority city and the importance of community health and focused care. As a Community Health Intern, instead of spending all of my time behind a computer, I was able to attend meetings with various key community partners, present data in focus groups, and work with different CSV departments. My job was to not only understand the health disparities that Santa Fe faces (CHNA), but also to help the hospital and the community better prepare in addressing these issues (CHIP). This panel is intended to give students a holistic view of the different aspects of healthcare.

Innovation In The Dental Field

This summer, I worked in a dental tooth wear research laboratory at Kings College London. I was exposed to cutting edge dental research and was able to further develop my dental laboratory skills. I was immersed in the lives of dentists and PhD students, who all shared valuable knowledge with me regarding the challenges and rewards of dental research. Additionally, I was exposed to grant writing and journal reading and analysis. I primarily worked under PhD student Dr. Saoirse O'Toole. O’Toole, was conducting research on the effects of dietary advice on dental enamel erosion. I was responsible for scanning and analyzing the dental casts made of the patient’s teeth. These were taken on the first visit, and casts of the same patient’s teeth were taken again 6 months after dietary advice. To scan the casts, I used a 3M Lava intraoral scanner. I then superimposed the patient’s two sets of scanned teeth casts to determine the average dental enamel loss. Additionally, I compared the accuracy of the 3M lava intraoral scanner to the accuracy of a profilometer, which is an instrument used for measuring the surface roughness and profile of object surfaces. Supporting the accuracy of intraoral scanners in the dental field is important for the advancement and implantation of these scanners in general and specialist dental offices. Intraoral scanners are slowly being integrated in more dental offices in the USA and Europe. If research continues to support the accuracy of intraoral scanners, the dental field will likely evolve to using them in all dental facilities.

Hepatitis B in the Tibetan Community: Diagnosis and Treatment using Tibetan Medicine

Hepatitis B is extremely prevalent in the Tibetan community, especially amongst first generation refugees. Over my summer in Dharamsala, a hill station in northern India, I interviewed doctors practicing Tibetan medicine in order to see how they use this ancient form of healing to diagnose and treat Hepatitis B patients. With guidance and assistance from Men Tsee Khang, also known as the Tibetan Medical and Astro Institute, I was able to learn the basic knowledge and skill required to understand the diagnostic and treating processes. Furthermore, I analyzed two sets of data that looked at the preventative methods and treatment of this viral infection. This analysis showed that Tibetan medicine did in fact aid in the process of liver functionality and healing after the onset of the infection; however, the consumption of the medication could not eliminate the virus.

Discovering the Liberal Arts Connection: A Tale of Two Internships

Do the liberal arts play a part in business, large or small? From project management at a growing property development company in Southern Africa to graphic design at a corporate giant in the United States; these internship experiences played a role in discerning the answer to this broad, yet vital, question. This presentation seeks to explore that answer in more detail by linking my internship experiences to my liberal arts curriculum here at Mount Holyoke. Did my psychology studies aid me during my time with Dimension Property Development and was English or Statistics useful while I was interning in the creative services department at Deloitte? While answering these questions, this presentation also aims to advise future internship seekers on navigating both national and international opportunities, and making the most out of their Liberal Arts connections. These discussions will be presented within the context of my own personal discoveries and the degree to which they are influencing my future plans.

When Expectations Are Surpassed: My Last Summer of College

My experience at the Business Association of Georgia in Tbilisi, Georgia, was educational in many different ways: I observed and experienced the Georgian business sector, I got a better sense of how political economy plays out in the country's national context, I gained valuable research and communication skills working on my project "Tourism Sector Performance: General Overview", I met some very interesting people and made new friends, and most importantly, I got an insight on what my potential future career can look like. The latter is a discovery that will shape my future. going into the internship I knew, that the experience would build on my theoretical knowledge of macroeconomics, and help me with my understanding of this complex system, but my gains turned out to be much larger.

Organic Solar Cells: The Future of Solar Energy

With fossil fuels running out and being the main cause of the rise in global atmospheric temperatures, it is time to rely on new energy sources that are significantly less environmentally damaging. In 2015, renewable energy sources accounted for about 10% of total U.S. energy consumption. The high cost of producing and installing silicon solar panels makes solar energy unavailable to most of the nation’s population. Organic photovoltaics are solar cells consisting of organic materials and, in comparison to silicon solar cells, are inexpensive and easy to produce.The Arango Lab focuses on third generation energy cascade devices, examining new organic materials and how to deposit them to in hopes increase the efficiency of organic solar cells. This summer I worked on making more efficient organic photovoltaics with a main goal of growing a successful tandem cell.

Internship at a Small Financial Firm: The Potential of Internet Finance

What does an internship at a small finance group look like? This panel will demonstrate summer experience of working at a small asset management firm in one of the world finance centers, and introduce a relatively new sector in finance field: internet finance. The panel will also present the growing influence of online trading platform on investment in Chinese capital market, how social media can promote internet finance, and what benefits can e-trading bring to the public especially to college students.

Summer Sale! How I Appealed To Customers When I Wasn't A Marketing Person

Pursuing a double major in Computer Science and East Asian Studies, I have never had a chance to take a class related to Marketing. But this summer I ended up doing a two-month marketing internship at GAP, Greater China. I've never been worried about myself, as I believed in the Way the Brain Buys. How does marketing frequently involve enduring relationships between buyers, sellers, and other parties. How did I approach different audience from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and mainland China? How did digital tools and channels dramatically transform the way buyers choose to purchase? To learn more, LEAP into this presentation! I will draw upon my experiences to explain how I enriched my knowledge in a previously unknown field, and strengthened my professional skill set in the new perspective.

China Citic Bank: how I offer customer service to individuals in the retail section

Abstract coming soon.

Coca-Cola India and Digital Media Marketing: Researching the Real Secret Formula

I interned for three months with the Marketing Department of the Coca-Cola India Headquarters in New Delhi. I worked on social media projects with the digital media marketing wing on carrying out the foundational research for and strategizing best practices for social media marketing, and creating content calendars for the launch of a LinkedIn page for Coca-Cola India (distinct from the global Coca-Cola page). I also worked on compiling data for analysis on social media views of advertisements of various Coca-Cola brands across different social media platforms; advised on current Coca-Cola campaigns; and aided in the conceptualization and creation of a consumer survey for Coca-Cola's target audience drawn from all over the country. I learned about marketing and advertising concepts such as best practices, platforms, and prominent organizations in the field. I also learned more about interdepartmental liaising, as my project required me to meet with representatives from the Human Resources and Public Affairs and Communication departments, and to present my project to them. My study of Psychology and Economics, as well as my background in academic research, aided me in learning about the field and carrying out and planning research in a systematic manner. My experience working in leadership positions at Mount Holyoke College, such as in the Speaking, Arguing, and Writing Center, aided me in optimizing my interpersonal skills and in maintaining professional behavior in these interactions. My experience working in marketing and being surrounded by people in the field of management and advertising reinforced my belief that this is an area that I would enjoy working in, and one to which I can contribute my talents. It made me realize that I definitely want to explore work in the corporate sector after graduation, and then go on to pursue an MBA further down the line.

Leveraging and expanding academic knowledge and skills through autonomous learning in a professional context at Citic Bank, China

As rookies, first entering the working environment and quickly assimilate to the company culture could be challenging. We might find ourselves short on professional knowledge or experience, or not able to adapt to the new environment quick enough. So how can we transit from the role of a student to a professional employee smoothly? As a summer intern at China Citic Bank, I conducted marketing research on our client companies that needed expansion or acquisition, and helped writing up a business proposal to attract potential investors. My daily activity includes due-diligence; reviewing and comparing annual reports of other companies in the industry; and proposing estimated revenue. I gained in depth knowledge of the investment banking industry, and at the same developed important analytical and communication skills throughout the internship. This experience has encouraged me to further develop and cultivate myself in the professional field. From personal experience, being able to initiate autonomous learning has is the most important ability. Through four years of studying at Mount Holyoke College, not only do we learn knowledge of subjects, but also foster the ability of initiating autonomous learning in professional working environment, and continue to cultivate oneself into a life-long learner. By quickly identifying what we are short on or need to be managed well could help us initiate learning. It could be professional skills, or cooperating with a team, or communicating with clients. By continuously self-monitor the learning progress and reflect on teammates' or manager's feedbacks, it could help us get the best out of the experience. For this panel, I will talk about how to initiate autonomous learning and how it has helped me made this internship a valuable experience in more details.

Make the Connection: applied Environmental Science in the Non-Profit World

Sarah Braverman from the class of 2017 will be reflecting on her internship as a data analyst for Blueprint Earth--an environmental nonprofit based in Los Angeles, California. Her primary responsibility was review the fieldnotes documented by Blueprint Earth’s volunteer team of plant and animal biologists, geologists, and hydrologists. Applying her background in Environmental Studies and advanced computer skills, she was then responsible for consolidating that data into Blueprint Earth’s electronic database and identify the unknown or unlabeled plants based on the descriptions in the field notes. Over the course of two months working at this nonprofit, Sarah’s responsibilities evolved and became more dynamic. Because of this, she was able to develop a wider range of skills from campaigning to composing educational videos to developing a fundraiser from the ground up. Sarah is pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Politics, Policy, and Economics paired with a minor in Sociology.

Wildlife Rehabilitation: Education is Action

This summer I worked as a veterinary intern at the New England Wildlife Center, located in South Weymouth, Massachusetts. The center is a wildlife hospital, exotic pet veterinary practice, as well as an educational institution that is open to the public. During my internship, I was responsible for the care of a large variety of wild animals, ranging from mallard ducklings to red-tailed hawks to juvenile raccoons. It was an incredible experience in which I learned how to administer medication, read x-rays, perform blood work, handle wild animals and so much more. It was amazing to be there through all stages of an animal's recovery and to see them released back into the wild. Because of the center's focus on education, not only was I learning, but I was also teaching volunteers and members of the public who came on tours and field trips. It was very rewarding to be able to pass on knowledge to young children and inspire them to be passionate about nature. There were difficult moments, but I believe that my biology courses at Mount Holyoke gave me a good science background as well as the ability to think critically and adapt to new situations. Ultimately, my experience has given me a new perspective on what I want to do in the future, particularly involving education, outreach and conservation work.

The Buzzards Bay Tern Project

Off the coast of Cape Cod lie three state owned islands, home for part of the year to thousands of nesting Common and Roseate Terns. Working with the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game, I spent my summer studying these birds. Our mission was to monitor Common and endangered Roseate Terns, however we could, boosting their ability to increase their population sizes. The destruction of their nesting habitat combined with the devastation from the feather trade has made these species exceedingly vulnerable in our rapidly changing world. I and a small group of fellow field researchers marked nests, counted eggs, banded chicks, live-trapped adults, camped on Penikese island, visited Bird and Ram islands daily, and collected all the data we could on the birds we so carefully managed. My classes at Mount Holyoke, and especially those I took during a semester in Costa Rica, gave me an adequate starting point for a field researcher that allowed me to settle quickly into my roll and then begin to explore. During my time with the Project, I learned almost as much about myself as I did about the birds. I discovered a passion for field work and a deep interest in the science of the physical world that will guide my path into the future.

How do we feel about the trees? Asking Social Science questions to find answers for Conservation

What do you see first when you look out at the New England landscape: the forest or the trees? Some people see neither of these, but rather focus on the people who own much of the New England landscape – forests, trees, and all. I had this focus during my research experience at Harvard forest as part of the Harvard Forest Summer Research Program in Ecology. With my mentors and fellow undergraduate students I investigated the attitudes and behaviors of private woodland owners in New England using social science methods to gather data that may inform future conservation or environmental education and outreach efforts. Specifically, we wanted to learn if living next to a National Forest affects the way people think about and manage their land with respect to climate change as well as test a new survey method for reaching out to private woodland owners. We traveled to VT to interview woodland owners in person near the Green Mountain National Forest, and conducted digital surveys of woodland owners who lived further afield. Preserving the forested nature of New England and many other areas depends on the decisions made by individual people. Especially in New England, where the majority of forests are owned by private, non-industrial individual and family owners, it’s important to understand and connect with these individuals as much as possible. Our research this summer will help to inform further projects investigating climate change attitudes of woodland owners as well as more unique applications of survey methods in the future. During my internship, I used and refined the research skills I’ve learned during my time at Mount Holyoke, and also applied the personal confidence I’ve gained from my time here to overcome several hurdles ranging from car break downs to computer malfunctions.

Is the Startup Environment Right for You?

In this day and age, startups are the way to get into business. They can be wildly profitable and have an amazing ability for tapping into a market that large corporations have difficulty doing. Look no further than businesses like Pandora, Slack, and Yik Yak. However when looking for an internship: Be careful of startups. Most startups are very small companies. It is easy to be caught up in the chaos of too many things to do and not enough people to do them. During my internship this summer, I became intimately familiar with the early stages of a startup. I can speak on how to adapt to a chaotic work environment, how to assert yourself, and most importantly, how to make a rocky internship into a learning experience.

This is YOUR Internship

I went into this summer with the understanding that I was going to be a research diver working on coral reefs in the Gulf of Mexico. One month in, I had not done a single open water dive and had spent most of my time scrubbing turtle feces off the bottom of a tank. I was feeling very dejected and I called the CDC. The CDC told me that because I had completed the required hours, I could leave. However, they encouraged me to talk to my supervisors one last time.
In that meeting with my two supervisors, I clearly told them what I had been promised by directly quoting the internship description and that my expectations had not been met. I worked with them to create a plan to help me achieve my goals for the summer. Over the next two months, I was able to do a half dozen research dives and get my rescue diver certification. I did not get everything I had anticipated from this internship but I learned a lot about dealing with difficult management and making an internship, job, or other position truly mine. From what I have learned at Mount Holyoke, I was able to assert myself even in this challenging position.

Experiencing Science-based NGO and Overcoming Obstacles

This presentation aims to summarize my internship experience in WWF (World Wildlife Fund)-Beijing, including the process to find internship, daily work, challenges and useful knowledge learning from Mount Holyoke College to analyze and solve problems. I will emphasize the process to understand the office working routine, face and solve mental and physical challenges, come up with many questions and figure out ways to get them answered. There will be some brief introduction of current environmental issues and solutions, especially in China. By interning in WWF, people are able to know what is going on around the world in Environmental Conservation field. My humanity and science education at Mount Holyoke College enabled me to understand relevant public policy and scientific reports, and serve as a transitional role from professional terms to everyday words.

Queering My Career: Internships, Identity, and the Role of Support Networks in the Workplace

I spent my summer working as a communications intern at a progressive lobbying organization in Washington D.C., assisting with the redesign of my organization's website and accompanying lobbyists to meetings with Congressional staffers on Capitol Hill. Within the first two weeks, however, the Orlando shooting took place, and in its wake, my perception of the organization, myself, and my career trajectory changed forever. In this panel, I will speak about how the aftermath of the tragedy changed my perspective on lobbying, and how I then was forced to confront the next six weeks of working for a group that I realized was very different from what I had imagined. Ultimately, I hope to show how building strong connections with peers and with my coworkers not only saved my summer, but also continues to influence my decisions as I move forward with my current internship and job search.

#UseYourBrave: How to Break Barriers in Selective Mutism and Social Anxiety

Selective Mutism (SM), a form of social anxiety that inhibits a person from speaking in social situations in which talking is an expectation despite the ability to speak in other situations, affects critical development and engagement in the classroom. During this past summer, I interned at Advanced Therapeutic Solutions, a clinical psychology practice specializing in the treatment of SM. As part of my role at Advanced Therapeutic Solutions, I assisted in the planning and marketing of a summer program, Adventure Camp, in which children with SM are able to practice their verbal communication goals and reduce their anxiety in a simulated classroom environment. Receiving training in Selective Mutism treatment under the direct supervision of SM specialist Dr. Carmen Lynas, I was able to act as counselor to a camper, in addition to my administrative role during the five-day in-situ exposure therapy program. In my presentation, I will discuss the pathway that led me to this internship, the unexpected challenges and learning experiences that I took away from this summer, and how this experience has influenced my goals in clinical psychology.

Marketing and Event Planning for a Local Government

There are many jobs that make up our local governments, some well known like the mayor and some less well known like the interns. While working for the Peabody Recreation Parks and Forestry Department this summer, I helped create, market, and execute a new summer program. From sending out emails and social media posts to interacting with the citizens I helped to promote all that the department had to offer. Through this internship I not only learned useful marketing skills but I was also able to further my interest in event marketing and obtain hands on experience in a small setting.

The Beauty Insider: Running Global Marketing Campaign in the Local Market

Ever wondering how a global brand launches new products? How it managed to operate the same marketing campaign in all countries? I interned at Benefit Cosmetics China HQ this summer and coordinated a 3-month marketing campaign for 2500 Sephora sales person. My academic background, International Relations and Mathematics double major, enabled me to both confidently apply quantitative skills into business and communicate with and present to colleagues from all over the world. Benefit runs this campaign across the world in conjunction with the biggest product launch in brand history. I am on the front lines to ensure achievement of objectives on time and on budget. I am entrusted to budget and track ¥1.8 million project expense, and make sure that the four stages of project operate smoothly. The beauty industry might seem glamorous but that is empowered by the hard-work every insider put in. This internship allowed me to gain hands-on experience in collaborating with both internal and external teams with extremely tight deadlines for a successful product launch. To explore more deeply into the beauty business, come to the panel!

Boosting a Boutique; Revitalizing a Community

How can a small, women-owned, local boutique revitalize a city community that has long been in need of new life while subsequently boosting sales within its own four walls? This summer, I interned at Simply Serendipity Boutique in Springfield, Massachusetts. Through marketing, social media campaigns, and numerous events, I was able to help a small business revitalize a space that had been vacant for over twelve years. From product placement and marketing within the shop to creating and promoting community events, I was able to gain a wide perspective on the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship.

Jesus Take the Wheel: Connecting Constituents to Congress with Faith-based Advocacy, Lobbying, and a Tour Bus Full of Catholic Nuns

Network, a National Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, was founded in 1971 by Catholic sisters who sought to bring the voices of marginalized communities to Congress. Today they operate as lobbyists, social justice advocates, and grassroots organizers with a focus on issues impacting communities of color and women. Best known through their “Nuns on the Bus” campaigns, Network was involved in both national conventions this summer while traveling the country advocating for policies that “mend the gaps” in society, such as paid family leave and a higher minimum wage. Throughout the summer I was primarily involved in four aspects of Network: planning and running a faith-based lobbying and advocacy training,conducting background research and event turnout for Bus campaign stops, managing the Network website for most of the bus tour, and assisting with lobbying, protesting, and other actions on Capitol Hill. With Middle Eastern Studies and Religion majors and a background largely in education, I went into the internship unsure of how it would relate to my studies or give me direction for after college. In this internship I not only acquired technical skills related to my projects, but I also gained exposure to work in politics and advocacy. This summer expanded my knowledge of how the American political system does and does not work effectively. I was exposed to both grassroot and lobbying efforts to lift up the needs of constituents. I saw the intersections of social work, faith-based advocacy and service, and political lobbying as Network worked to mobilize the political system to work for all. I found connections with my coursework on historical intersections of faith and politics and I learned about a plethora of new careers and post-grad paths as I met people working in many diverse social justice and political organizations.

Putting Myself In Their Shoes: Seeing Both Point of Views

Kaila Cantens spent six weeks working within the long corridors and high ceilings of congress for her state Senator, Robert P. Casey of Pennsylvania. As a legislative intern, Kaila's responsibilities were a mixture of legislative tasks as well as managerial and organizational tasks. For legislative responsibilities Kaila was in charge of going to hearings and briefings and writing memorandum on them, researching for and writing constituent letters on legislation, and sorting legislative correspondence. Other types of responsibilities included escorting constituents to the galleries and the capitol, aiding tours, and sorting incoming constituent mail. Although the internship was mostly during the time congress was in recess, this gave Kaila the opportunity to better acquaint herself with staffers within and outside of the office. This networking allowed for her to create long lasting relationships with influential people that will remain a resource for the future.

Buckingham to Brexit: Britain's Shifting Political Culture and Government Structures

In her internship with Lord Jack McConnell, a member of UK Parliament's House of Lords and former First Minister of Scotland, Ashley spent a significant portion of her time conducting research on the recent devolution initiatives to decentralize government from Westminster and empower local municipalities throughout the UK to better serve the specific needs of local communities. However, the results of the EU Referendum - popularly known as Brexit - have had large implications for the devolution deals made under Prime Minister David Cameron's administration by Chancellor George Osbourne. As the new Prime Minister, Theresa May, entered Number 10, not only did many of the devolution deals appear to be potentially undermined, but Scotland began to reconsider calls for independence from the United Kingdom. Walking through the Palace of Westminster on a daily basis exposed Ashley to one of the most notable moments in the past century of UK history as well as the issues impacted by the referendum results. Ashley had the opportunity to travel to Edinburgh to assist with the Scottish Parliament's Festival of Politics and learn about the new Scottish political system, and throughout the summer she also helped facilitate correspondence among government officials and NGOs involved with both parliamentary work and the engagements of Lord McConnell's philanthropic organization, the McConnell International Foundation.

Rural Development- Cooperatives, Businesses, Farms and Federal Programs

As Public Information Coordinator Intern at USDA Rural Development Amherst State office, I managed news releases, wrote and researched talking points for public speaking events, organized congressional events, and managed social media and photography. USDA Rural Development is a federal agency that provides loans and grants to rural residents for home ownership and repair, as well as to small businesses, agricultural producers, and organizations to make energy efficiency improvements. As the public information coordinator intern, I had the opportunity to visit farms, cooperatives and organizations that make a tremendous impact on the lives of rural residents, refugees, and small businesses. Working directly with organizations and businesses such as these expanded my understanding of how individuals, governments, and agencies can create innovative solutions to our world’s most pressing social and economic problems. The highlight of my work consisted of independently developing a new outreach platform for clients, congresspeople, and fellow colleagues in order to raise awareness about USDA RD’s impact. The website I designed includes extensive details on the broad suite of projects that USDA RD supports, such as our reusable energy projects, low income housing projects, small business development, and charter schools. This project was the culmination of the photos, news releases, and success stories I produced during my internship. My internship gave me the knowledge, resources, and real world experiences to continue and expand my role in partnering with local businesses in the Pioneer Valley. Since returning to school, I initiated a new program that connects the Mount Holyoke community to a local farm to experience the benefits of local agricultural and local food networks. My greatest takeaway from my internship at USDA RD is that it will continue to inform my professional academic and extracurricular work towards pursuing a career in Economic Development and Public Policy.

Amplifying the "Voice for the People of New York": My Summer Internship at U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand's NYC Office

As a student of color interested in pursuing a career in public policy, I wanted to have a better understanding of politics by having an internship in public service with a politician committed to expanding diversity in politics. One of my biggest female role models in politics is the U.S. Senator of my home state- Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. This past summer, I had the privilege to intern at her New York City Regional Office as an Operations Intern. Before this internship, I had various work and leadership experiences in reproductive justice, such as overseeing the MHC Planned Parenthood chapter. Although I was not placed in Senator Gillibrand’s women’s issues department, I was able to figure out ways to apply my passion in reproductive justice throughout my internship. In this panel, I will reflect upon my day-to-day duties as a congressional intern, the value of networking with supervisors and fellow interns, and how my internship has impacted my future plans.

Diversity in the House: My Summer in Capitol Hill

This summer, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Paul Ryan, took a “selfie” with a group of congressional interns. An uproar ensued in traditional and social media and it immediately went viral - for all the wrong reasons. Many took this picture as "proof" of the lack of diversity in Capitol Hill. I have to say that my experience in Congress as a summer intern was completely different to the portrayal in the media. I worked at he office of Congressman Bobby L. Rush (D, 1st District, Illinois). The environment at his office, as well as the many other congressional offices I interacted with, with very few exceptions, had a diverse staff and an environment that encouraged the exchange of ideas. In my presentation, I will share my personal experience in working with one of the most diverse and accepting staffs, the inspiring work of Congressman Rush and his staff, as well as the challenges faced as a minority and as a member of the Black Congressional Caucus in a Republican Congress. Mostly, I will share what I was able to learn about myself, and how my role as woman and Latina can affect the political process.

Polling and Strategy: Exploring the Political Landscape

Over the summer I interned with Lake Research Partners, a leading Democratic political strategy and public opinion research firm that works with Democratic candidates and progressive organizations. The firm is owned by Celinda Lake, a Smith alum, and is known for working with women candidates and on feminist causes. My internship experience taught me a lot about the industry and the political world and gave me valuable tools to succeed in the workplace. I worked on a wide range of campaigns from the Presidential election to sheriff and mayoral contests, as well as issue-based work, including research on how people perceive women candidates and a state ballot initiative on raising the minimum wage. At first my job consisted mostly of background research and clerical work, but as I built relationships with staffers and analysts, I got more involved - I wrote surveys and client reports, and analyzed data. I also researched the CEO's speech for a panel at the Democratic Convention and put together a presentation she gave at a Clinton fundraiser. In addition to gaining practical experience and learning about progressive issues, the political landscape, and the political consulting industry, my LYNK internship provided me with valuable experience advocating for myself in the workplace. As a senior who will graduate in May, I feel more confident knowing how to build professional relationships and work my way into a role that I want to be in. It was a great experience helping underrepresented groups such as women and people of color run for office, and being in such an engaging and supportive environment provided me with the tools and confidence to lean in and do my best to enact change both in the workplace and the world at large.

From Government to Athletics: Strengthening Professional Development Through Multiple Opportunities

Western Massachusetts has been home my entire life. Receiving a higher education and internship opportunities here have given me a newfound appreciation of where I grew up and what has shaped me into the woman I am. This summer I had the privilege of working for my home and school communities via the Springfield Office of U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren and the Mount Holyoke College Athletic Department. Working for a congressional office, I assisted staff by speaking with and listening to the concerns and inquiries of constituents, making it possible for the Senator to better grasp the dynamic values of the area. At my internship assisting the Athletic Director, I worked with recruiting, department documents and budgets, as an added voice for the institution’s athletics staff. Having held two very different positions, I widened my scope of understanding the moving parts of two unique industries. Working in environments for women, run by women, empowered me to step outside of my comfort zone, explore my various opportunities and find confidence in my own abilities. Today I will talk about the value of preparation and collaboration in small work environments, as well as female role models, and how having many women as direct resources inspired tremendous professional growth and aspirations, and helped me to be a more confident, well-rounded individual.

Closing Arguments: Reflecting on a Judicial Internship

Springfield District Court serves Longmeadow, Springfield, and West Springfield, and is one of the busiest district courts in Massachusetts. During my time at Springfield District Court as a Judicial Intern, I attended a wide variety of trials and hearings, where I built on the knowledge of legal processes that I had acquired in class at Mount Holyoke. However, it was only when I pushed myself out of my comfort zone that I gained the most valuable experience from my summer internship. I asked one of the judges for the opportunity to collaborate on larger research projects with the law student interns, and I was granted that opportunity. By the end of the summer, I was using LexisNexis to fact check for judges, proof-reading other interns’ work, and independently researching and writing memos for several judges. The research I conducted included case law on issues such as: target standing theory, searches of abandoned property, searches of towed vehicles, and joinder of defendants in criminal conspiracy cases. As I plan my next steps after Mount Holyoke and begin my path towards law school and beyond, the research experience, confidence, and self-knowledge that I gained this summer, and that I will reflect on here, will be crucial.