Name: Hannah Bruggeman-Ton
Class Year: 2027
Major: Economics  
 
Internship Organization:  Social Sciences & Humanities Research Program at Bryn Mawr College
Internship Title:   Economics Student Research Assistant
Location:  Remote
 
What’s happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!  

My internship position is as a research assistant for Professor Minuk Kim of the Economics Department at Bryn Mawr College. I have been assisting him in gathering and cleaning data on acquisitions and mergers in the liquor industry between large multinational enterprises and small foreign or domestic liquor brands. The intention is to use data on these mergers and acquisitions to analyze their effect on the both the liquor market and consumers. So far this summer I researched mergers and acquisitions which occurred from 2010-2019 and then matched unique product codes to the brands acquired. After that I spent many hours this summer searching the internet to create brand portfolios for these groups at the time of their acquisition’s/mergers. My latest task of the summer has been collection url links to review pages on each of the acquired and portfolio brands, these will then be used to find similarities between the groups existing portfolios and the acquired brand through machine learning.
 
Why did you apply for this internship?  

I applied for this internship since I am an Economics major at Bryn Mawr who is interested in working on economic research.

What has been your favorite part of this internship?  

My favorite part of this internship has been researching the brand portfolios of the major firms in the liquor industry. There is no central database of these portfolios, especially not across time and so I spent a lot of time looking at archived ‘our portfolios’ pages each of which had their own unique and usually liquor themed design spin on the webpage. This was somewhat frustrating from a data collection standpoint, however personally I was having incredible fun. One of my personal favorite pages was an ‘our house of brands’ graphic from Campari that featured a graphic shaped in the outline of a house with contained images of liquor bottles from each of their brands. Incredibly dated, extremely unfriendly to the poor user who is actually trying to figure out what liquor brands the Campari Group owns, and yet so amusing nonetheless.  

 Working remotely for the first time? What has that experience been like for you? 

This internship as involved a lot of firsts for me, including working remotely for the first time in my life. While taking zoom calls from my childhood bedroom isn’t a foreign experience thanks to the pandemic, the independence and responsibility to manage deadlines and decide my work schedule is certainly very new. However, between daily to-do lists, quiet workspaces in the public library, and café visits with my laptop I’ve manage to get myself into a decent routine. One that gets me up before noon and working during the daytime hours which is quite an accomplishment for me, especially during the summer. 

Name: Jean Valencia Ngunjiri
Class Year: 2026
Major:  Economics
Minor: Data Science
 
Internship Organization:  American Express
Internship Title:   Finance Summer Analyst
Location:   New York, NY
 
What’s happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!  

This summer, I worked on a project that focused on understanding and analyzing prepayment behavior in American Express’ Personal Loans business. Prepayments occur when customers pay back more than their required monthly installment, which directly affects the company’s accounts receivable forecasts and ultimately the revenue it earns from interest. My project was to identify seasonality trends in prepayments and recommend ways to incorporate these insights into forecasting models. I applied statistical techniques and tested adjustment methods to improve the accuracy of forecasts. Along the way, I learned how finance teams use data to support decision-making and how even small improvements in forecasting accuracy can have a meaningful impact on business outcomes.

Why did you apply for this internship?  

I wanted to experience how the skills I’ve been developing in my Economics and Data Science courses could be applied to real-world finance problems. American Express offered the opportunity to combine analytical work with strategic thinking, while also giving me exposure to one of the most recognized financial services companies in the world. I was especially excited to join a team where my project aligned with business-critical priorities and where my work could directly inform leadership decisions.
 
Was there anything special about how you found this internship? 

I actually learned about this internship through friends who are Bryn Mawr alums, which made it feel even more special. Hearing about their positive experiences at American Express gave me the confidence to apply and showed me how strong the Bryn Mawr network can be.  

What has been your favorite part of this internship?  

The highlight of this internship has been the people and culture at American Express. The environment is collaborative and supportive, where questions are encouraged and diverse perspectives are valued. The team fostered an atmosphere of trust and inclusivity that made the work especially rewarding. Beyond the day-to-day projects, the intern cohort added another layer of community. Building friendships and sharing experiences with peers made the summer both professionally and personally meaningful. 

What is something you have learned from your internship that you didn’t expect? 

I didn’t expect to learn how important storytelling is in data. I came in ready to focus on technical analysis, but I realized the real impact comes from communicating findings clearly and connecting them back to business decisions. I also learned how much company culture can shape growth, having supportive mentors and teammates gave me the confidence to take ownership of my project and step outside my comfort zone.  

What has been the biggest challenge you have faced during your internship? 

The biggest challenge was learning to adjust when things didn’t work out the first time. Data isn’t always clean, and forecasts don’t always line up. At first, this was frustrating, but it pushed me to become more flexible and creative in problem-solving. I learned to test new approaches, ask for feedback, and not be afraid of trial and error. That process was challenging, but also where most of my growth happened. 

Working remotely for the first time? What has that experience been like for you? 

This was my second summer working in a hybrid format, so the experience wasn’t entirely new. I’d say it was manageable and quite doable. The remote days required being intentional about staying connected, setting up check-ins, asking questions, and keeping communication open. The in-person days balanced that out, giving me the chance to build stronger relationships with my team and experience the company culture firsthand. Overall, the mix of independence and collaboration made the hybrid structure work well. 

Can you talk about the skills you are learning and why they are important to you? 

Over the summer I developed: Analytical skills: Strengthening my ability to work with large datasets and financial models. Communication skills: Learning to present complex findings in a clear and engaging way for different audiences. Collaboration skills: Working with teammates taught me the value of feedback, brainstorming, and adapting ideas. 

Can you give us three adjectives and three nouns to describe your internship experience? 

Adjectives: Welcoming, Challenging, Transformative  

Nouns: Growth, Mentorship, Community  

Was this internship what you expected it to be?  

It was even more than I expected. I came in hoping to build technical and professional skills, and I definitely did that, but I also found mentors, peers, and a community that supported me every step of the way.  

What is most rewarding about your internship? 

The most rewarding part was the sense of ownership. Even as an intern, my project was tied to the team’s larger strategy, and I could see how my work contributed to bigger goals. Just as meaningful was the mentorship I received, having colleagues who believed in me and celebrated my progress made this experience unforgettable. 

Name: Jean Valencia Ngunjiri
Class Year: 2026
Major:  Economics
Minor: Data Science
 
Internship Organization:  American Express
Internship Title:   Finance Summer Analyst
Location:   New York, NY
 
What’s happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!  

This summer, I worked on a project that focused on understanding and analyzing prepayment behavior in American Express’ Personal Loans business. Prepayments occur when customers pay back more than their required monthly installment, which directly affects the company’s accounts receivable forecasts and ultimately the revenue it earns from interest. My project was to identify seasonality trends in prepayments and recommend ways to incorporate these insights into forecasting models. I applied statistical techniques and tested adjustment methods to improve the accuracy of forecasts. Along the way, I learned how finance teams use data to support decision-making and how even small improvements in forecasting accuracy can have a meaningful impact on business outcomes.

Why did you apply for this internship?  

I wanted to experience how the skills I’ve been developing in my Economics and Data Science courses could be applied to real-world finance problems. American Express offered the opportunity to combine analytical work with strategic thinking, while also giving me exposure to one of the most recognized financial services companies in the world. I was especially excited to join a team where my project aligned with business-critical priorities and where my work could directly inform leadership decisions.
 
Was there anything special about how you found this internship? 

I actually learned about this internship through friends who are Bryn Mawr alums, which made it feel even more special. Hearing about their positive experiences at American Express gave me the confidence to apply and showed me how strong the Bryn Mawr network can be.  

What has been your favorite part of this internship? 

The highlight of this internship has been the people and culture at American Express. The environment is collaborative and supportive, where questions are encouraged and diverse perspectives are valued. The team fostered an atmosphere of trust and inclusivity that made the work especially rewarding. Beyond the day-to-day projects, the intern cohort added another layer of community. Building friendships and sharing experiences with peers made the summer both professionally and personally meaningful.

What is something you have learned from your internship that you didn’t expect? 

I didn’t expect to learn how important storytelling is in data. I came in ready to focus on technical analysis, but I realized the real impact comes from communicating findings clearly and connecting them back to business decisions. I also learned how much company culture can shape growth, having supportive mentors and teammates gave me the confidence to take ownership of my project and step outside my comfort zone.  

What has been the biggest challenge you have faced during your internship? 

The biggest challenge was learning to adjust when things didn’t work out the first time. Data isn’t always clean, and forecasts don’t always line up. At first, this was frustrating, but it pushed me to become more flexible and creative in problem-solving. I learned to test new approaches, ask for feedback, and not be afraid of trial and error. That process was challenging, but also where most of my growth happened.  

Working remotely for the first time? What has that experience been like for you? 

This was my second summer working in a hybrid format, so the experience wasn’t entirely new. I’d say it was manageable and quite doable. The remote days required being intentional about staying connected, setting up check-ins, asking questions, and keeping communication open. The in-person days balanced that out, giving me the chance to build stronger relationships with my team and experience the company culture firsthand. Overall, the mix of independence and collaboration made the hybrid structure work well. 

Can you talk about the skills you are learning and why they are important to you? 

Over the summer I developed: Analytical skills: Strengthening my ability to work with large datasets and financial models. Communication skills: Learning to present complex findings in a clear and engaging way for different audiences. Collaboration skills: Working with teammates taught me the value of feedback, brainstorming, and adapting ideas. 

Can you give us three adjectives and three nouns to describe your internship experience? 

Adjectives: Welcoming, Challenging, Transformative  

Nouns: Growth, Mentorship, Community 

Was this internship what you expected it to be?  

It was even more than I expected. I came in hoping to build technical and professional skills, and I definitely did that, but I also found mentors, peers, and a community that supported me every step of the way. 

What is most rewarding about your internship? 

The most rewarding part was the sense of ownership. Even as an intern, my project was tied to the team’s larger strategy, and I could see how my work contributed to bigger goals. Just as meaningful was the mentorship I received, having colleagues who believed in me and celebrated my progress made this experience unforgettable. 

Name: Maia Tsalik
Class Year: 2026
Major:  Philosophy
Minor: Political Science
 
Internship Organization:  Berlin International University of Applied Sciences
Internship Title:   Research Assistant
Location:  Berlin, Germany
 
What’s happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!  

This summer I worked as a research assistant at Berlin International University of Applied Sciences! I worked with a professor there on his research about biopolitics, necropolitics, and migration theory. The research focus was to explore how migrants in Germany are impacted by health care and death care policies. To do this, we used biopolitics theories from various philosophers, political scientists, and anthropologists. My focus this summer was to help come up with a theoretical framework for the research, something that was heavily supported by my experience at Bryn Mawr taking philosophy and political science classes.
 
Why did you apply for this internship?  

I applied for this internship because I was hoping to get more experience doing philosophical research. I was also motivated to pursue an internship abroad after having such a good experience living internationally during my study abroad semester.
 
Was there anything special about how you found this internship? 

I found this internship through someone at the career center! I set up a meeting to get help finding a summer internship, and was connected with the IES Abroad Summer Internship Program! It ended up being fully supported by Bryn Mawr and a perfect opportunity.  

What has been your favorite part of this internship? 

Getting to read philosophy and political science papers! I had hoped to do an internship where I got some exposure to the disciplines, but hadn’t expected to be able to do so to the extent that I did. All summer I just got to read about research and different theories about biopolitics and necropolitics. I got to learn about an area of political philosophy I previously hadn’t. 

Name: Nathalya Castillo Salmeron
Class Year: 2026
Major:   Sociology        
 
Internship Organization:  James M. Stein DMD
Internship Title:   Student Intern
Location:  Boston, MA
 
What’s happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!  

This summer I got to be part of the day to day routine of a dental practice. Most days began at 7am where I would check the schedule for the day and given a run down by heather the dental assistant on site. During these run downs we would check if patient had up to date x rays and see what they x rays looked like. If the x rays were old or not to our standards we would set up for new x rays. Once the patient was there I would help greet the patient and lead them into the room. During procedures I would check to see if there were any instruments that needed to be sterilized. If there were I would run them through the ultrasonic, bag and place in autoclave to be sterilize. If another room need to be taken down I would go in throw away disposables, take instruments to be sterilized and disinfect the room. I would then prepare the room for the next patient. This included placing new instruments in the correct orientation, placing new barriers and bring in any additional equipment needed. After all of that was finished I stood in during procedures and watched how Dr stein and his assistant heather conducted the procedure. At times I aided in suctioning and passing instruments during procedures. Getting first hand experience. There I could ask questions communicate with patients and be part of the process.

Additionally Dr. Stein connected me to his colleagues. I shadowed Dr. Labib and Dr. Gabe two talented endodontists and Dr. Sabra an excellent oral surgeon. There I was exposed to the different branches of dentistry and how different they are. During my many conversations with Dr. Stein I realized how intertwined insurance companies are with patient care and how a dentist chooses to run their practice. I learned that insurance companies dictate the price of procedures and as the dentist you must accommodate to the price. A dental procedure can cost $10 but insurance fixes the price at $8 the dentist must adhere to this price. The remaining $2 is the responsibility of the dentists. Dentists seek out additional patients to cover this deficit. This can lead to fatigue which can affect patient care. Many dentist choose to work independently from insurance because of this. There are still many practice that run successfully working alongside insurance companies with phenomenal patient care. Learning that this is an options I will face in the future was truly eye opening.

Why did you apply for this internship?  

I applied for this internship because I understood I was far removed from the dental industry. I had limited experience and no connections. I understood that to change my current position I needed to expose myself. I was attracted to Dr Stein’s practice because it stands independently from big companies and Dr stein specialized in prosthodontics with over 30 years of experience. I knew that I would be able to learn and grow in his office.
 
Was there anything special about how you found this internship? 

I remember feeling quite overwhelmed and lost when I first began searching for a summer internship. I had found out that there were limited summer programs specifically in the dental industry. The programs that were available all required students to have completed organic chemistry. As someone who joined the pre-heath track later in my college career and not completed organic chemistry I had to improvise. I began emailing and cold calling dental offices around the greater Boston area. I got extremely familiar with rejection as the majority of offices did not accept me. Not many offices loved the idea of having an untrained intern in their office. Still I continued my search and dedicated my mornings to calling and emailing dental offices. I was extremely fortunate to have connected with Dr Stein. I wouldn’t say my experience finding an internship was special but rather humbling and rewarding. 

What is something you have learned from your internship that you didn’t expect? 

During my many conversations with Dr. Stein, I realized how intertwined insurance companies are with patient care and how a dentist chooses to run their practice. I learned that insurance companies dictate the price of procedures and as the dentist you must accommodate to the price. A dental procedure can cost $10 but insurance fixes the price at $8 the dentist must adhere to this price. The remaining $2 is the responsibility of the dentists. Dentists seek out additional patients to cover this deficit. This can lead to fatigue which can affect patient care. Many dentists choose to work independently from insurance because of this. There are still many practices that run successfully working alongside insurance companies with phenomenal patient care. Learning that this is an option I will face in the future was truly eye opening. 

Name:  Shir Carasso
Class Year:  2026
Major:  Mathematics
 
Internship Organization:  Berlin International University of Applied Sciences
Internship Title:   Research Assistant
Location:  Berlin, Germany
 
What’s happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!  

I am currently researching migrant access to healthcare and deathcare in Berlin. I do this mainly through literature reviews.
 
Why did you apply for this internship?
 
As a math major on a pre-health track, I am really passionate about using numbers and impact to bridge the gap in health disparities. The research I work on in Berlin looks at the quantitative and qualitative ways to do this. This internship was a way for me to look at health disparities from a global perspective.
 
Was there anything special about how you found this internship? 

I applied through Bryn Mawr’s partnership with IES. It was easy and really impactful.  

What has been your favorite part of this internship? 

I love learning about the health disparities from a global perspective. It is really interesting to find and interpret qualitative and quantitative research. I find it to be really challenging but also really rewarding.  

What is something you have learned from your internship that you didn’t expect? 

I never knew how differently health disparities looked in Germany. In Germany, the gender and racial roles that people posses really dictate their access to healthcare. The space that people are able to occupy in life and in death is heavily dependent on where they come from. 

Working remotely for the first time? What has that experience been like for you? 

I never knew how differently health disparities looked in Germany. In Germany, the gender and racial roles that people posses really dictate their access to healthcare. The space that people are able to occupy in life and in death is heavily dependent on where they come from. 

Can you talk about the skills you are learning and why they are important to you? 

I am gaining research skills from all of the literature reviews that I have had to accomplish. I am learning a lot about myself and the way that I am able to accomplish my work. I am also gaining network and interpersonal skills that I plan on using in the future.  

Can you give us three adjectives that describe your internship experience?

Interesting, challenging, inspiring 

What is most rewarding about your internship? 

I accomplished 18 literature reviews and worked on a statistics database to help find number to support the research we were doing. Being able to do so much was very rewarding for me. 

Name: Jolan Zheng
Class Year: 2026
Major:  Psychology, Education
Minor: Mathematics
 
Internship Organization:  Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital
Internship Title:   Assistant
Location:  Hangzhou, China
 
What’s happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!  

This summer, I am interning in the psychology department at Zhejiang Province People’s Hospital, where I work closely with clinicians and staff as a psychology intern. Much of my work involves observing therapy sessions, assisting with case discussions, and supporting intake procedures for new patients. I also help with documentation and research-related tasks, which gives me valuable exposure to how psychological theories are applied in real clinical settings. Each day, I am learning how professionals approach patient care with empathy and cultural awareness, while also strengthening my own communication and observation skills. I also had the opportunity to participate at hospital ward rounds with the director of psychology. Through this experience, I learned to listen more attentively, take accurate notes, and analyze cases from both clinical and humanistic perspectives, deepening my appreciation for the balance of professional expertise and empathy in psychology.
 
Why did you apply for this internship?  

I applied for this internship because I wanted to connect my academic background in psychology with real-world clinical experience. I also saw this as an opportunity to explore potential career paths in clinical psychology while contributing meaningfully to patient care.

What is something you have learned from your internship that you didn’t expect? 

One thing I didn’t expect to learn during my internship was how much psychology involves teamwork and communication beyond direct patient care. I assumed most of the work would be individual or between doctor and patient, but I realized that effective treatment relies heavily on collaboration among doctors, nurses, interns, and social workers. I didn’t expect to realize how many different life stories, challenges, and struggles people carry with them. Through this internship, I have met individuals from very diverse backgrounds, each facing unique circumstances that shape their mental health. Some of the cases even involved extreme behaviors that I had never encountered before. This experience has opened my eyes to the complexity of human experiences and reminded me of the importance of approaching each patient with empathy, patience, and an open mind.  

Can you give us three adjectives and three nouns that describe your internship experience? 

Eye-opening, Challenging, Rewarding 

Growth, Empathy, Patience 

Name: Sam Ritter
Class Year: 2027
Major: History
Minors: English, Philosophy
 
Internship Organization: Girard College
Internship Title:   Founder’s Hall Curatorial Intern
Location: Philadelphia, PA
 
What’s happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing! 

My internship involved combing through the ship records of Mr. Stephen Girard, one of Philadelphia’s wealthiest merchants during and since the Revolutionary Era. After his death, all of Girard’s papers were packed up and preserved through the centuries, nearly exactly as they were in life. As such, many more records of individual sailors and craftsmen are preserved here, primarily in ship’s logs and wage records. My work extracted information on individual sailors on Girard’s ships Liberty and Superb, his Brigs Sally I, Sally II, and Polly, and various smaller ships he partially owned or worked with. Together with my fellow intern, Vivian Bloom, and two previous interns in 2023 and 2024, our work now grants a full statistical picture of those working on Girard’s ships, people who have disappeared from the historical record in every other case.

Why did you apply for this internship?  

One of the many reasons I applied to and chose to come to Bryn Mawr was its proximity to Philadelphia, one of the most historically rich cities in America. This internship granted me an opportunity to take advantage of that proximity and engage first-hand with Philly history and with the city’s museum scene. I hope to continue research and archive work after graduation; This was an opportunity to add directly to the general historical database and shed light on individuals who do not appear anywhere else in the historical record but who built the Philly economy with their labor.     

What is something you have learned from your internship that you didn’t expect? 

Before this internship, I did not have a particularly clear understanding of the structure of the historical maritime world, nor did I know exactly who featured within it. This internship taught me quite a bit about historical record keeping, the positions on historical sailing ships, and the kinds of people who did sailing work. One thing that surprised me was just how many countries sailing individuals came from. One particular voyage, courtesy of Brig Modest, had only 4 American sailors. The rest came from Portugal, Scotland, England, France, and Germany, among others. My work on this internship in particular also paves the way to analyze statistics on sailors of color working for Mr. Girard. We only have records of 73 sailors of color (physical description was recorded less than other information), but they served in a wide variety of positions – Seamen, Carpenters, Apprentices, Cooks, even as First Mate. It was a unique experience to uncover these facets of the lives of individuals.  

Can you give us three adjectives and three nouns that describe your internship experience? 

Unique: There is very little like the environment of working in a small museum, and nothing like working with the Girard collection. The passion everyone has toward the work they are doing and the effort everyone puts in to make things happen is something I have yet to see anywhere else. 

 Museum: While my internship itself was based in the Girard Archives, my place of work also hosted the Girard College Museum. Over the course of my internship, I got a glimpse into its workings, including helping set up a new exhibit!  

Engaging: You would think that going through literally thousands of papers looking for names and dates would become quite dreary after a while. And while it did become monotonous at times, there is something about uncovering the stories of individuals – the first person to do so in centuries – that never stopped feeling special.  

Opportunity: Outside of my internship itself, I also had incredible opportunities to meet other museum and historical leaders around the Philly area. From meeting the woman who led the work to have Philly listed as a UNESCO World Heritage City to listening to presentations at the American Philosophical Society on the impact of nuclear testing on Indigenous Peoples of the Pacific, I had a plethora of unique and unexpected opportunities to engage with the work others were doing parallel to mine.  

Demanding: Trying to finish going through Mr. Girard’s records by the end of the summer was an ambitious goal from the beginning. We managed to do it, but we had to be disciplined to get it done. Furthermore, Girard College is an hour to an hour and a half from Bryn Mawr by public transit. I loved the internship I did, but it really took all of my time and energy to commit to it.  

Career: More than anything else, this internship absolutely fulfilled the promise of career connections and opportunities. Though I don’t know where I will go after college, working at Girard meant I made some invaluable connections in museums, archives, and non-profit work in Philadelphia. Those connections will be beneficial no matter where I go, and could help kick-start a career in museum or archival work. 

Name: Sydney Schmidt-Nowara
Class Year: 2026
Major: Psychology
Minor: Asian American Studies 

Internship Organization: The Quad Manhattan
Internship Title:   Psychosocial Internship
Location:  New York, NY
 
What’s happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!  

As a Psychosocial Intern at the Quad Manhattan, I support the positive behavioral development of “twice-exceptional” children – a population that is simultaneously gifted/talented and has learning/neurodevelopmental differences in a summer camp setting. At the beginning of the summer, I conducted an in-depth exploration of campers’ neuropsychological profiles, which allowed me to devise individualized behavioral and/or social goals (e.g., “I will use my words to share my needs/emotions/wants with others”) for each child. Now, on a daily basis, I collaborate with a team of psychological professionals to facilitate and measure campers’ progress through these goals.
 
Why did you apply for this internship?  

Before this summer, although I had taken several developmental psychology courses at BMC and even work at a developmental psychology lab at Haverford College, I had yet to fully experience the work of psychological practice. I applied for this internship to (1) immerse myself in the real-world application of psychological theory/research and (2) learn more about “twice-exceptionality” and how to support this underserved population of learners. With the knowledge and experience I will gain this summer, I hope to better understand the path I want to take through the field of psychology.
 
What was your favorite part of this internship?  

My favorite part of this internship is the level of communication between staff members, which includes other interns, teachers, and camp administrators. There is a constant line of communication between staff and leadership, which means that everyone is in the loop – and thus able to provide support – during moments of conflict, unexpected change, or on-the-spot problem-solving.
  
What is most rewarding about your internship?  

The most rewarding part of my internship has been building trust and rapport with my group of campers. A lot of kids are coming into this summer program having only been in the public school system, which is an environment that often fails to serve the needs of twice-exceptional learners. For instance, a twice-exceptional child may need the support of a paraprofessional, but also may belong in a highly advanced “honors” class; the education system often fails to simultaneously meet these needs, as the categories of “high ability” and “disability” are commonly viewed as mutually exclusive. As a result, the kids attending the Quad Manhattan may be quick to distrust adults and educators. For this exact reason, it is even more rewarding when I have moments of connection with campers.

Name: Keziah Keya
Class Year: 2027
Major: Computer Science, Mathematics
 
Internship Organization:  Google, Inc.
Internship Title:   Associate Software Developer Intern
Location:  San Francisco, CA
 
What’s happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!

This summer I joined Google’s internal framework for mobile experimentation—launches, rollouts, and A/B tests. In practice, that meant most of my days were spent deep in code, building and refining the behind-the-scenes tools that make it easier for engineers to test their ideas as they go live. I was part of a tiny intern pod with two fantastic hosts and a fellow intern, tucked inside a much larger team. Our pod had regular check-ins where we shared updates and any frustrations, and sometimes cross-team meetings like with UX folks to make sure our changes weren’t just functional but actually useful. Some days felt like an endless loop of code → test → debug → repeat, but there were also the highs of seeing my changes launch or hearing a teammate say, “hey, this actually makes my life easier.” Add in a few snack-powered brainstorming sessions and impromptu coffee chats, and the whole experience felt like a mix of puzzle-solving, teamwork, and just enough chaos to keep things fun.
 
Why did you apply for this internship?  

I remember talking to my family and friends after my LTT internship in Ghana last year and really loving the impact of a great internship. We were brainstorming about the next summer and, since I loved CS and Math so much, maybe my next internship should combine the two at a big company—naturally, Google came up in the conversation. Then, in early fall 2024, my school arranged a trip to Google’s New York offices where we met a couple of TriCo alums working there in different roles. It was an eye-opening experience: the culture felt exciting, the work everyone was doing sounded fascinating, and yes—the lots of mini kitchens didn’t hurt either. (I’m not saying I applied just for the snacks… but the snacks didn’t hurt.) After those conversations with alums, I knew an internship at Google would throw me in the deep end—with mentors to guide me, teammates to brainstorm with, and projects that would stretch me far beyond what I’d experienced before. And honestly? I also wanted to prove to myself that a kid from Nairobi could find her place, contribute, and learn in a space as massive and inspiring as Google.
 
Was there anything special about how you found this internship? 

Not really—I didn’t stumble on a secret portal or have an insider tip. There are countless GitHub repos and forums that mention Google’s internship, so as soon as applications opened, I just threw my hat in the ring. Was I expecting to hear back? Honestly, no. With the thousands of applications Google must get, I assumed mine would quietly disappear into the void. But then, on my birthday, I got the email inviting me to interview. It felt less like perfect timing and more like the universe giving me a little wink: “Yep, this one’s for you.” 

What has been your favorite part of this internship?  

I have a couple of favorites, but top of the list has to be my intern presentation at the very end of the summer. My podmate and I were so excited to finally share our work—it felt like our own little “product launch,” complete with slides, demos, and plenty of nerves. What made it special wasn’t just showing what we built, but realizing how much we had learned and grown over the course of the internship. Another highlight was the team itself. They weren’t just supportive of our work, they also created spaces to connect in more informal, human ways—like hosting a cookout and a team women’s summit that was as fun as it was inspiring. Those kinds of activities opened the door for conversations that went far beyond code. I got to learn about life at Google through so many different lenses: a TriCo alum who had once been in my shoes, international colleagues bringing stories from around the world, Black women in tech sharing their experiences, and Africans navigating the same spaces I was. That mix of professional growth and personal connection is what made the whole summer unforgettable.

What is something you learned that you didn’t expect? 

I did take a ramen-making class and a linocut printing workshop, and both reminded me that there’s real joy in experimenting, messing up, and trying again. Strangely enough, that same lesson carried into my work on the A/B testing team—seeing that experimentation isn’t just a technical process, it’s a mindset. It also made me think back to a Software Analysis course I took in spring 2025, where we dug into testing frameworks and ways of thinking critically about how programs behave. The connection to A/B testing wasn’t one-to-one, but both gave me a deeper appreciation for the role testing plays—not just in catching bugs, but in shaping better systems and better ideas. What I didn’t expect to learn at Google is that experimentation, whether in code, cooking, or carving into linoleum, is less about getting it perfect the first time and more about being open to discovery.   

What has been the biggest challenge you have faced at your internship? 

The biggest challenge for me was adjusting to the sheer scale and complexity of Google’s systems as compared to my school projects most of which fit neatly into a folder on my laptop; here, even the smallest change touched layers of code and teams I hadn’t even imagined. At first it was overwhelming—I’d open something up and feel like I was staring at a maze with no map. But slowly, with the help of my hosts, my podmate, and lots of trial and error, I learned how to break problems down into smaller pieces and not be afraid to ask “basic” questions. There were definitely days when I felt stuck, but those moments also forced me to be patient with myself and trust the process and learn how to find my footing in complexity without losing curiosity.  

What is most rewarding about your internship? 

The most rewarding part of this internship was how much I got to accomplish at work while also exploring a whole new world outside of it. Professionally, I grew a lot—tackling projects that stretched me and gave me a clearer sense of the kind of developer I want to be. Personally, it was an adventure of firsts: my first time on the West Coast, my first encounter with San Francisco’s famously foggy summer (not exactly the sunshine I had pictured), and my first chance to experience “Googley” activities in different offices, including the HQ. I loved meeting so many new faces within and outside of Google, and exploring different coffee shops, restaurants and historical sites around the city. Even when the fog rolled in, I tried to make the best of it, and by the end of the summer I felt like I’d grown just as much outside the office as I had inside it. That mix—of professional milestones and personal discoveries—made the whole experience deeply rewarding.