#FundedInternship

Tag: #FundedInternship

Bryan Haddad Zamorano: Fieldwork, Growth, and Environmental Purpose

Bryan Haddad Zamorano ’26, Majors: Environmental Studies & Music
 Seasonal Conservation Technician (Summer 2025)
 Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin / Zoological Society of Milwaukee

Bryan spent his summer on a conservation mission that most people will never experience, helping protect one of the world’s rarest butterflies, the Poweshiek Skipperling. What started with uncertainty and self-doubt turned into a field-season full of discovery, confidence, and purpose.

Working with the Zoological Society of Milwaukee through NRF’s DICI program, Bryan surveyed fragile prairie habitats, learned professional wildlife monitoring techniques, and helped process real conservation data used by researchers fighting to save an endangered species. His days ranged from carefully navigating tall grass in search of tiny pollinators to long, focused hours identifying and organizing species photos, a real balance of field adventure and scientific precision.

Just as meaningful were the connections he built. Weekly NRF programming connected Bryan with conservation professionals and interns of colour who helped him see a place for himself in the field. That support, and seeing people like him leading conservation efforts, shifted his sense of what’s possible.

This experience didn’t just grow Bryan’s skills; it reshaped his direction. Inspired by the blend of ecology and community impact he witnessed, he shifted his path to Environmental Studies and Music, determined to use creativity and storytelling to bring more voices into environmental conversations.

Bryan leaves this internship not only with field experience, but with clarity, confidence, and a renewed belief in where he belongs.

This internship was made possible through generous donor funding, which supports students in gaining real-world experience without the stress of balancing summer expenses. Hoping to intern next summer? Schedule an appointment at the Career Centre and we can help you! The summer internship funding application will open in early January, after we get back from break. Learn more about funding for internships.

Discover Loralei’s Experience as a Water Quality Intern at Milwaukee Riverkeeper

Loralei Paddock ’27, Major: Environmental Science
Water Quality Intern (Summer 2025)
The environmental nonprofit organization, Milwaukee Riverkeeper (MRK)

Lorelei spent her summer working as a Water Quality intern at the environmental non-profit Milwaukee Riverkeeper (MRK). She was indulged in a lot of activities like conducting fieldwork monitoring stream water quality, operating plastic clean-up robots, and also contributed to multiple data bases used in the organization. She gained a lot of useful skills and knowledge which are helping her not only in selecting a career but also succeeding in it.

Her most valuable experience from her role at MRK was her exposure to mentorship. The internship was a part of the Social & Environmental Justice Cohort, hosted by Professor Jason Brozek. In the term before the internship, she and other students met with Professor Jason to discuss justice-related issues they might encounter in Milwaukee and Appleton. During the internship, she received support and guidance from her direct supervisor and the staff at Milwaukee Riverkeeper, who provided relevant information throughout the summer. This support not only boosted her confidence in her tasks but also helped her feel more comfortable as she transitioned to future classes and jobs.

The internship reinforced the importance of asking questions and seeking support, which boosted her confidence as a student, scientist, and employee. Through mentor/mentee relationships and observing others, she developed realistic expectations for future employment. She is grateful to the donors for making this experience possible, as it opened new doors, introduced her to new passions, and inspired her to consider working for Milwaukee Riverkeeper or a similar organization in the future.

This internship was made possible through generous donor funding, which supports students in gaining real-world experience without the stress of balancing summer expenses. Hoping to intern next summer? Schedule an appointment at the Career Centre and we can help you! The summer internship funding application will open in early January, after we get back from break. Learn more about funding for internships.

Meet Kat: Empowering Youth By Embracing Diversity

Kat Green ’27, BMus: Music Education (Instrumental/General), Music Performance (Multi-Instrumental)

Music Teacher: Boys and Girls Club of Truckee Meadows

Let’s put the spotlight on Kat Green ’27 who spent their summer with the Boys and Girls Club of Truckee Meadows (BGCTM), teaching kids music through a multi-cultural lens. Kat’s students were taught everything from American folk dances to Brazilian samba drumming. Through instruments and body percussion, the young kids were able to feel empowered in their lives, both musically and educationally. That’s a powerful thing to produce.

“Waking up every morning with the knowledge that I have the power to change a child’s perception of the world through music…informed a summer full of discovery, transformation, and bravery,” Green exclaimed. She described instances of helping students learn to love music and understand different cultures, at the same time. Not only was Kat able to grow as a music educator through BGCTM, they were also able to grow as a person and expand on their own educational values. Kat spent her summer changing lives, one handboning rhythm at a time.

This internship was made possible through generous donor funding, which supports students in gaining real-world experience without the stress of balancing summer expenses. Hoping to intern next summer? Schedule an appointment at the Career Center and we can help you! The summer internship funding application will open in early January, after we get back from break. Learn more about funding for internships.

Lauren Chance is a current sophomore at Lawrence University double majoring in Business and Entrepreneurship and Music, also minoring in Spanish. As a Career Peer Educator (NES, VPA), an Admissions Student Ambassador, and an EPIC Orientation Leader and Peer Mentor, she has a passion for helping others. Lauren aspires to work in arts administration focusing on marketing or event management. Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn.

Meet Madelynn: Finding Her Path Through Pathfinders

Madelynn Kennedy ’27, BA: Psychology, Neuroscience

Intern: Pathfinders Milwaukee

Let’s highlight Madelynn Kennedy ’27 who spent her summer at Pathfinders Milwaukee, one of the leading shelter programs in the country! Finding her path in social services, Madelynn spent extensive time with youth ages 9-25 who are going through incredibly tough times. By learning how to properly support them through Pathfinders Milwaukee, she gained an experience that was “almost impossible to capture on paper”.

Madelynn was able to make a real difference amongst those who needed it most. By promoting equity, inclusion, a judgement-free zone, a safe space, and professionalism, and by working directly with adoption services, corrections facilities, and the Department of Child and Family Services, she was able to use her internship opportunity as just that: an opportunity; an opportunity to change lives, in ways big and small. This is a type of career preparation you can’t take a class on. Keep it up, Madelynn!

This internship was made possible through generous donor funding, which supports students in gaining real-world experience without the stress of balancing summer expenses. Hoping to intern next summer? Schedule an appointment at the Career Center and we can help you! The summer internship funding application will open in early January, after we get back from break. Learn more about funding for internships.

Lauren Chance is a current sophomore at Lawrence University double majoring in Business and Entrepreneurship and Music, also minoring in Spanish. As a Career Peer Educator (NES, VPA), an Admissions Student Ambassador, and an EPIC Orientation Leader and Peer Mentor, she has a passion for helping others. Lauren aspires to work in arts administration focusing on marketing or event management. Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn.

Tyler Donnelly: Immersing in Music and Diversity

Tyler Donnelly ‘27, Major: Musical Arts

Faculty Member: Drum Sets

New York Jazz Academy 

The summer of 2025, Tyler had the incredible opportunity to intern in the heart of New York’s jazz scene at the New York Jazz Academy. As part of the faculty team, he were not only teaching lessons but also performing daily with accomplished musicians. This role allowed Tyler to gain firsthand experience in both instruction and performance, developing his skills while forming valuable connections with faculty and fellow musicians. The experience opened doors to future opportunities and set the foundation for a growing network within the music industry.

But the connections didn’t stop at work. Tyler lived in Jackson Heights, Queens, one of the most diverse neighborhoods, surrounded by people from all over the globe. Despite language barriers, Tyler enjoyed the cultural diversity of the area, learning about different traditions through food, music, and interactions with neighbors. Many of the students at the academy also came from diverse backgrounds, making it a helpful opportunity to practice teaching in a multicultural environment.

This summer was a transformative experience for Tyler, where he grew both as a musician and a person. The challenges he faced in teaching, building the network, and adapting to a culturally rich environment pushed him to grow in ways he never expected. He is already looking forward to returning to New York in the future to continue building on this growth!

This internship was made possible through generous donor funding, which supports students in gaining real-world experience without the stress of balancing summer expenses. Hoping to intern next summer? Schedule an appointment at the Career Center and we can help you! The summer internship funding application will open in early January, after we get back from break. Summer Funding

Here is Nikola: Honing Law Skills through Kids Management 

Nikola Kuzmanovic ’26, Major In Psychology 

Camp Counselor 

Camp Jorn, YMCA Camp for Kids 

I would like to introduce you to Nikola Kuzmanovic ’26, a psychology major who had an amazing experience as a (position) at Camp Jorn, which is a YMCA camp for kids around 11-16 year olds. Though Nikola plans to be a lawyer after Lawrence, which is totally not correlated with being a camp guide or manager, she explains that she has extracted meaningful skills that are generally beneficial in Law school. Aside from the high-energy, community-driven atmosphere that prioritized mentorship, teamwork, and accountability, people at the camp emphasized communication, inventiveness, and inclusivity, which are core values needed in law school. 

Most importantly, she learnt various skills needed to be a better representative of future clients, such as tackling problems under pressure while being a trustworthy advocate for the betterment of the people under her care and leading with empathy. Inclusion is an essential part of law school and being a lawyer overall. Nikola explains that she got to work with diverse cultural, social, and economic backgrounds and was part of a scholarship program that allowed individuals from lower-class families to be at the camp. This experience broadened her communication and inclusivity skills, which will be very impactful in her career. 

This internship was made possible through generous donor funding, which supports students in gaining real-world experience without the stress of balancing summer expenses. Hoping to intern next summer? Schedule an appointment at the Career Center, and we can help you! The summer internship funding application will open in early January, after we get back from break. Learn more about funding for internships. 

Dennis Boakye ’26 is a senior with a major in Neuroscience and a minor in Mathematics. He is also a co-president of the Neurolawrence Club and the Synthetic Biology Club, and the treasurer for the American Medical Student Association (AMSA, Lawrence Chapter) and the Black Student Union (BSU). Dennis is the current career peer educator for the Health and Medicinal Professions (HMP) and the Physical and Natural Sciences (PHN) career communities at Lawrence University. Connect with Dennis on LinkedIn.