Summer is a great time to explore a career, and Lehigh students did just that through summer internships at notable companies. Their roles and responsibilities allowed them an opportunity to apply what they are learning on campus to address challenges across industries. Meet a few summer intern standouts!
Summer Interns
Maya Goodman ’25
Political Science and Global Studies
Hometown: Teaneck, New Jersey
Company: Millennium
Location: New York City
Title: Compliance Intern
Landing the role: I utilized my resources at the Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD). Before each of my interviews, I sought guidance from the counselors at CCPD as I prepared and maintained communication with the career center throughout the interview process.
Responsibilities: My main responsibility is to create a comprehensive database documenting past focus areas and requests spanning over the past three years. This database will function as a search engine, enabling more seamless access to relevant information.
Why this experience is valuable: I have had the opportunity to understand what day-to-day work at an investment firm is like as well as hear from various managers and senior leaders at Millennium. Their experiences and expertise have broadened my knowledge of the industry as a whole and how Millennium positions itself within it.
What you learned: I have learned about the different compliance policies that Millennium employees must follow and the crucial role those policies play in the firm’s success.
Marley Dalessio ’27
Marketing and Real Estate
Hometown: Roslyn, New York
Company: Compass Real Estate, The Takk Team
Location: New York City
Title: Summer Intern for a Licensed Real Estate Agent Team
Landing the role: I used LinkedIn to search for successful real estate agents among Lehigh alumni. I quickly found Takk Yamaguchi ’06 and Danielle Stout ’15. Takk and his team, in fact, appeared as the top results. Promptly, I emailed them, introducing myself, expressing my interest in real estate, and outlining my summer goals. Takk responded, we talked, and he offered me a summer internship with his team!
Responsibilities: Each time I step into the office, Takk ensures my engagement with diverse opportunities to immerse myself in the field. I conduct property previews independently, capturing images and ensuring homes are presented immaculately for prospective buyers. Additionally, I shadow Takk during client meetings and property viewings, gaining insights into the intricacies of real estate transactions. Post-preview or shadowing sessions, I meticulously compile lists of comparable properties to assist sellers and real estate investors in setting competitive prices. Beyond property visits, I am actively acquiring essential terminology and insights specific to our real estate operations, enriching my expertise and paving the way for a successful career as a real estate agent in the future. In this role, I have gained invaluable hands-on experience.
Why this experience is valuable: Having ample experience in residential real estate in New York City is pivotal for achieving success as an agent. I have cultivated valuable relationships with experienced professionals, such as real estate attorneys, commercial real estate agents, interior designers, and other residential real estate agents.
What you learned: I have absorbed a vast amount of knowledge, some of which extends beyond the realm of real estate, like navigating the intricate network of streets in the city and the complexities of both the subway and bus systems. Within the real estate industry, I've grasped the fundamental mechanics — understanding its fast-paced nature and the constant demand for multitasking. For example, our team leader, Takk Yamaguchi, is constantly handling and consulting with various sellers, buyers, investors, asset managers, co-op board members, managing agents, general contractors, architects, asset managers, and other real estate professionals within the industry. I've come to realize that real estate diverges significantly from its portrayal on television — its complexity, hard work, and occasional losses.
Catherine Adams ’25
Psychology and Marketing
Hometown: Reading, Massachusetts
Company: Paramount Global
Location: New York City
Title: Digital Series Strategy Intern for Comedy Central
Landing the role: I want to work in the entertainment industry. Paramount had always been a dream, so I worked closely with my counselor at the Center for Career and Professional Development to help navigate resumes, cover letters, and informational interviews. She was extremely helpful and supportive throughout the whole process. I was able to connect with alumni who worked at Paramount and ask questions about the application process. I was contacted by the talent acquisition coordinator and went through a series of interviews before landing the role.
Responsibilities: I worked on marketing strategy for the Comedy Central brands, legacy brands, and new releases. I found clips from new releases of an animation series and Comedy Central shows to post on social media accounts. I worked on the archive of The Daily Show. Each week I was responsible for an intern newsletter that informed the team about entertainment, media, and social events within the industry, especially from competitors. I also worked on slide decks for new ideas to appeal to younger audiences, which I presented to a panel of leaders.
Why this experience is valuable: With the resources that Paramount has and the expertise and guidance of my management team, I was able to learn some amazing tools and lessons to carry with me through my career. At Lehigh, I am the executive director of marketing for University Productions, and I am always looking for inspiration and new tools to lead a team and advertise the best possible way.
What you learned: I will forever use this experience to further my understanding of marketing, entertainment, media, and teamwork. That starts with being a great communicator to help your team in the best way possible. I also learned that every day something can change and how to be patient through that process.
Ryan Mullock ’26
Computer Science and Business and Mandarin Chinese
Hometown: Sea Isle City, New Jersey
Company: Accenture
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Title: Consulting Summer Analyst
Landing the role: I connected with a family friend to talk about the company and what he does for work. He then sent me the link to apply to the summer analyst position. I went through a three-stage interview process. The first step was a basic call to assess lower-level information (major, interests, experience). The second step was scenario based, where in a virtual call, I was given a scenario and asked how I would handle it. Finally, the last step was a case study, where I was given a prompt using Accenture technology and then developed a slide deck presentation on incorporating an innovative idea into that technology.
Responsibilities: I worked on a team that consults for Comcast, helping its employees adjust their practices and ways of working. This entails building playbooks, work trackers, and any other tasks to support multiple work streams within the company.
Why this experience is valuable: I have tried to do all I can to soak up information and seek out people to follow who work in the roles I want to pursue. It has been very valuable to navigate a large work pool and find the niche for what I’d like to do after I graduate.
What you learned: This is my first internship, so I have tried to learn as much as I can about consulting and communication and media companies like Comcast. This has also gotten my feet wet in the professional world and what it means to work at a major company.
Audrey Vitello ’25
Population Health
Hometown: Allentown, New Jersey
Company: Bristol Myers Squibb
Location: Princeton, New Jersey
Title: Epidemiology Safety Sciences Intern
Landing the role: I applied through the Bristol Myers Squibb external career site to several different positions that fit my interests and qualifications. I was asked to interview for a few of them and eventually was offered an internship for my top role.
Responsibilities: My efforts have been dedicated to a literature review encompassing seven different endpoints within the myelofibrosis patient population as well as increasing the efficiency of a SharePoint site primarily used by the epidemiology strategists. Other things I have done outside my assignments include attending volunteer events, networking both inside and outside the epidemiology sector, and joining company training sessions to refine analytical skills.
Why this experience is valuable: It has afforded me the opportunity to experience the corporate pharmaceutical industry at a very pivotal point in my career journey. This internship has allowed me to leverage critical skills, network across the company, and explore my interests in the industry. I am confident that I will leave this experience with a clearer image as to what I want to do in the future.
What you learned: BMS has acted as a catalyst to the robust growth of my soft and analytical skill set. I have gained experience with many internal tools used by the epidemiology team and company in addition to communication and interviewing skills through my efforts to network within the company.
Lauren Lencovich ’25
Population Health
Hometown: Hamilton, New Jersey
Company: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Title: Digital Health Intern in Digital and Technology Services
Landing the role: A connection in the College of Health helped me land this internship. The digital health team at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) had two interns from Lehigh.
Responsibilities: I have worked with the team on implementing and maintaining its Virtual Sick Care and eConsult programs. I have been involved in program planning and evaluating data from program outcomes, allowing me to witness the strategic planning and implementation behind each program. I have also been developing content for these programs to give providers and patients a digestible resource to learn about each tool.
Why this experience is valuable: I had multiple opportunities to shadow clinicians in the hospital. Shadowing in person showed me the direct impact of these programs and the overall positive environment at CHOP. I am incredibly grateful to have been able to contribute to improving technologies that advance pediatric care.
What you learned: At Lehigh, I have had multiple opportunities to explore how different forms of technology and media can impact one’s health perceptions and behaviors. My experience at CHOP allowed me to learn about how technology can improve direct health care delivery.
Elijah Blaylark ’25
Computer Engineering and Economics and Entrepreneurship
Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Company: EY
Location: Seattle, Washington
Title: Digital Engineering Technology Consulting Intern
Landing the role: This is my second summer with EY, so to land this role, I performed well when I interned for EY last summer in Chicago. But to land a role at EY in general, it helped that I met the technology-consulting recruiter at a National Society of Black Engineers national convention in Kansas City.
Responsibilities: I worked on a project for a large corporation developing a system to manage and display menus in a store and for the drive-through. I bounced around different aspects of the project including project management, product management, front and back end teams, and design team, mainly working with team leads to get a firm understanding of the project in its entirety.
Why this experience is valuable: I was able to get a firsthand perspective on a project that captured the essence of what technology consulting is on every level, from the partner to the senior managers to the team leads and all the way to development. I was able to do lots, from working with the client virtually and on site, to fixing a bug, to preparing the system to scale, to structuring a statement of work contract and staffing projects.
What you learned: I learned some of the nuances of being a technology consultant and more so how to be a successful one.
Caroline Rennier ’25
Cognitive Science
Hometown: Annapolis, Maryland
Company: McCormick & Company
Location: Hunt Valley, Maryland
Title: Data Science Research and Development Intern
Landing the role: I leveraged my data science background and highlighted relevant data projects from both my education and previous internship experience. While discussing how my coursework in both cognitive science and data science applied, I conveyed how I offered a unique skill set ideal for this specific project. Additionally, I conducted extensive research on McCormick, its values, and the mission of its research and development teams. This preparation allowed me to ask well-informed and specific questions during the interview, demonstrating my genuine interest in the company and a proactive approach to understanding its needs and goals.
Responsibilities: I helped McCormick enhance its product risk assessment processes by leveraging sensory emotions data and modern data science techniques. Specifically, I was responsible for conducting data cleansing and analysis on emotional responses for various salty snack flavors produced by McCormick. I have compiled and cleaned over 15 years of historical emotional response data collected from users' reactions to different snacks. I help McCormick identify what constitutes a "normal" emotional response for specific flavors. This enables the company to more accurately gauge when a new formula deviates from market expectations, ultimately improving its product development and risk management strategies.
Why this experience is valuable: This experience is truly unique. As a cognitive science major, I was able to mix my background in computer science and psychology. I am learning the intricacies of the emotions that arise when people eat different foods, exploring the psychological and sensory factors that contribute to these emotional responses. Additionally, I am leveraging my data science skill set to analyze this sensory data, transforming raw emotional responses into valuable insights. This role enables me to apply a multidisciplinary approach, combining my classroom knowledge of human behavior with advanced data analysis techniques into real-world practice.
What you learned: I gained valuable insights into various aspects of the food industry and the crucial role data science plays in my department and areas beyond it, such as product development, recipe creation, quality assurance, and marketing analytics. I also discovered the importance of networking and collaborating with different aspects of the business to gain a broader perspective on the company's operations and how my role contributes to its mission.
Dani Schmoyer ’25
Bioengineering
Hometown: Glen Mills, Pennsylvania
Company: United Safety and Survivability Corporation
Location: Exton, Pennsylvania
Title: Engineering Intern
Landing the role: Valentina Baio ’09 ’11G spoke at a Women & Non-Binary in STEM Dinner where she mentioned a couple of summer internships at United Safety and Survivability Corporation. I reached out to her, she responded, and I interviewed for the position. Although this was more of a mechanical engineering role, I had the technical skills required for this internship.
Responsibilities: I worked closely with various customizable passenger seats produced for public and commercial transport. I assisted the passenger engineering team by working through processes to revise items for fabrication, purchase, and production. Using software such as SolidWorks, I created and revised parts, assemblies, and drawings. When there were issues with certain components, I interfaced with the production line to find a solution.
Why this experience is valuable: It allowed me to grow my mechanical engineering skills, which I hope to leverage in the biomedical industry. I also gained significant insight into company-specific design and draft standards. This role allowed me to interact with both product development and manufacturing.
What you learned: Documentation management and team communication are integral in a fast-paced environment. I also realized how important hands-on interactions were for my understanding and success.
Hashem Al Hattab ’26
Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering and Entrepreneurship
Hometown: Amman, Jordan
Company: Sanofi
Location: Swiftwater, Pennsylvania
Title: Process Tech & Validation Execution Intern
Landing the role: I participated in an educational tour of the facility organized by my university department and used a networking opportunity to submit my resume directly to the hiring managers. I was engaged with alumni and current staff, specifically Veronica Meyer, Madeline Malone, and Megan Walker, to gain insights and make a favorable impression. I followed up with a formal interview process, which culminated in my hiring.
Responsibilities: I was directly involved in a key initiative for pandemic preparedness. This project focused on the first recombinant protein-based influenza vaccine. My primary responsibility was to conduct detailed data mining to support development execution. Utilizing systems like PI Historian, I manually collected and analyzed data, focusing on load limits, void volumes, and absorbance. This work was crucial for ensuring the integrity and efficiency of the vaccine manufacturing process. My efforts extended beyond data analysis to include writing validation summary reports. I developed a database for documentation that enhanced the accessibility and monitoring of protocols.
Why this experience is valuable: Understanding and applying such advanced manufacturing techniques highlighted the intersection of theoretical knowledge and practical application in pharmaceutical manufacturing. This experience significantly expanded my professional network, connecting me with key players in the industry and providing insight into the pharmaceutical field's regulatory and operational frameworks.
What you learned: The internship allowed me to apply academic concepts in a real-world setting, effectively bridging the gap between classroom theories and practical industry demands. This application was particularly evident in my contributions to vaccine production, where I utilized both my technical skills and theoretical knowledge to address complex challenges. Through this experience, I gained a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in drug manufacturing and the reasons behind the high costs associated with such a regulated field.
