How I Spent My Summer Vacation: The Important Role of Internships
Networking. Building skills. Analyzing data. Solving problems.
Competitive summer internships can help students fine-tune their interests and discover their career ambitions in ways that complement their classroom learning.
Three current students—Nadin Prabhu ’27, Gustavo Madero ’26 and Nola Roberts ’27—discuss the valuable lessons they learned on the job and how they feel energized to pursue their professional goals.
Nadin Prabhu ’27
Prabhu is a junior majoring in information management and technology in the School of Information Studies and finance in the Martin J. Whitman School of Management.
Prabhu is passionate about the financial services industry. After graduating, he wants to build a career that allows him to “work at the intersection of finance, strategy and technology, eventually taking on roles that involve solving complex business problems, advising clients and driving impactful results in the financial space.”
Company: IMA Financial Group, a company that specializes in insurance brokerage and private wealth management. Prabhu worked in the Boston, Massachusetts-based office, focusing primarily on employee benefits.
Responsibilities: As a generalist intern, Prabhu rotated across different divisions, tracking financial revenue, collaborating with the sales and communications teams and working alongside benefits analysts. “I gained a comprehensive view of how different teams work together to deliver client value.”
Most important lessons learned: “The importance of genuinely connecting with people. When you’re truly interested in others and bring authenticity to your interactions, it goes a long way in building trust and fostering collaboration. Who you are as a person matters just as much as the technical skills you bring to the table.”
Most valuable piece of advice: “Always bring your best because client relationships need to be earned and maintained. Early in your career, be the first one to make coffee and the last one to leave the office. That’s about showing initiative, humility and a strong work ethic. Every professional experience can equip you with skills and insights that make you better prepared for the future.”
Gustavo A. Madero ’26
Madero is a senior majoring in public relations in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and political science in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.
Once Madero graduates, he plans to enroll in law school, with a goal of becoming an attorney who potentially focuses on immigration law, “where I can use both my profession and my skills to assist my community and help families solve their issues.”
Company: Just Legal, a Tokyo-based legal recruitment and search firm that connects legal professionals with opportunities in various environments.
Responsibilities: Helped with administrative tasks like cleaning and sorting their database and writing blog posts for the website. Madero also accompanied his boss to meetings with law firms and met with potential job candidates. “I learned firsthand what life was like as an attorney in Tokyo and how the Tokyo job market worked.”
Most important lessons learned: “Headhunters know exactly what law firms are looking for in candidates and they help candidates get ready for their interviews. Now, when it is my turn to interview, I understand what sets people apart and what skills I should start developing. I also learned more about the day-to-day life of an attorney. This experience was an eye-opening and valuable learning experience that only solidified my career decision.”
Most valuable piece of advice: “Your reputation is everything. Whatever you do in life, always carry yourself with professionalism and respect. Never burn a bridge, since you never know what direction life might take you.”
Nola Roberts ’27
Roberts is a junior studying public relations in the Newhouse School and political science in the Maxwell School.
After graduating, Roberts plans to work at a public relations agency that represents law firms, attorneys and/or health care agencies. Once she earns a law degree, Roberts wants to pursue a career in either intellectual property or entertainment law. She says her summer internship “helped me build the fundamental public relations skills that will be needed in future roles.”
Company: Rosen Group PR is a public relations and communications agency based in New York City that provides counsel and campaigns for media relations, thought leadership, special events, social media, strategic consulting and policy advocacy.
Responsibilities: Roberts worked on three main accounts—First National Bank of Omaha, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts and Shanken Communications—while contributing to other client projects, including work for individual authors, nonprofits and creative agencies. Roberts participated in client meetings, wrote and tracked coverage reports, drafted media pitches, contacted journalists, built targeted media lists, prepared award submissions and researched business and media trends.
Most important lessons learned: “I learned how to work in a fast-paced public relations environment and had the opportunity to fully immerse myself in the media world. I gained incredible hands-on experience in the field and fundamental skills I’ll carry with me into future roles. I also learned the importance of building trusted client relationships and collaborative relationships with my team members.”
Most valuable piece of advice: “The importance of communication. Teams simply cannot function efficiently without proper communication on projects to meet deadlines. Maintaining strong, open communication with clients is crucial, as their needs are the top priority.”
