Internship Panel Recap

Published on November 22, 2019

Internship Panel Recap

October 31, 2019

Amber Samuels (Moderator), Left, Shuyu Shen and Molly (Mengran) Gao, Center, Desmond Pat-Ekeji, Right

Earlier this semester, the W. Scott Amey Career Services Center reached out to ​​current SEAS graduate students and asked them to sit on a panel to discuss their internship experience while being enrolled as a student at the School of Engineering and Applied Science. Our panelists provided advice on the internship application process, discussed how to overcome challenges faced throughout the internship search process, and offered tips on how to get the most out of your internship experience. 

We were joined by Molly (Mengran) Gao (Computer Science), who interned at The World Bank, Desmond Pat-Ekeji (Engineering Management), who interned at The District Department of Transportation, and Shuyu Shen (Computer Science), who interned at Amazon.

Highlights

Here we offer a glimpse of what they had to say:

  • Panelists talked about the importance of just going for it during the search process. You may never feel ready, and you don’t have to be 100% ready to apply. Put yourself out there, and go for it. 
  • Don’t limit yourself to looking in one place. Panelists shared with the audience that opportunities can be found in a variety of places, including, but not limited to, the company website, Handshake, and SEAS Careers Twitter posts.
  • Use your experience to build your network. Getting to know the people you work with is important. Panelists highlighted that the internship experience isn’t just about the technical work- getting to know your coworkers is a crucial part of your experience. 
  • Getting an internship is an achievement and a huge step in your career, but it can also be a challenge. In regard to facing challenges and obstacles during the internship search process, our panelists echoed each other’s advice by emphasizing the importance of applicants not giving up. 

Share Your Success

In order to help SEAS students with their career development, we ask current students and alumni to share what they have learned from their overall experience at GW and their use of Career Services during their time as a student at SEAS. Tell us about your success story, and we will share your experience with students on our website. 

Thank you to all of our amazing panelists for sharing their insight with us.

By Amber Samuels
Amber Samuels Career Services Fellow
Send Email