Intriguing Internships from the Class of 2008:
Laura Colson (center)
(Ellis Hyman Award Recipient)
Major: International Business (French)
Minor: Psychology
Internship: Intern at Septimanie Export, France
"I spent summer 2007 working in southern France at a consultation company, Septimanie
Export. It was obviously hard at first, having to speak entirely in French, but with a few days,
and their patience, I was up for the job. I translated documents, created brochures and
questionnaires, made arrangements on the phone, and prepared for the 2008 season of
business conventions. It was great to be able to gain the experience I need, the business and
practical life abroad. It wasn’t all work though! I was able to spend time on the weekends going
to the beach, playing some soccer, sitting all day at a café people-watching, see the Tour de
France pass by, and swim at the Pont du Gard. I wouldn’t have exchanged this experience for
anything in the world! I couldn’t have done it without the Elis Hyman Internship Award!"
Marisa Cristiano
Major: International Studies
Minor: History
Internship: City of Pittsburgh Mayor's Office
"During the Spring 2008 semester, I worked with the City of Pittsburgh Mayor’s Office with the Manager of Policy. I created spreadsheets that helped to show how the City of Pittsburgh and the subsequent appointments to the Boards, Authorities and Commissions have become more diverse in recent years. I also worked on other projects. Working as an intern at the Mayor’s Office was a great experience because it was an introduction to “office etiquette”. It was also great to meet W&J alumnus and Mayor of Pittsburgh, Luke Ravenstahl!"
Hilary Miller
(Ellis Hyman Award Recipient)
Major: History, English
Internship: National Park Service at Fort Necessity National Battlefield
“I was one of the recipients of the summer 2007 Ellis Hyman Internship Award and I
spent my internship this summer with the National Park Service at Fort Necessity
National Battlefield. I gained a lot of experience in multiple areas of the Park and I mainly
worked with the Interpretation and Curatorial divisions. For Interpretation, I gave
interpretive talks and formal tours for the Park’s visitors, sometimes in period dress. For
Curatorial, I helped with the inventory of the Park’s collection and I also helped with
some historic preservation. I had such a great time this summer and I learned so much.
My internship at Fort Necessity was a truly wonderful experience that I will never forget.”
