While classes are well underway at Saint Anselm, students have begun to reflect back on their summer experiences. Many students used the summer months as an opportunity to participate in internships and other career-focused experiences, holding positions in a variety of fields including business, politics, and nursing.
“Internships provide students with a fantastic opportunity for hands-on learning. They serve as a chance to really test a future career path,” said Assistant Director of Internships and Career Advising Ashley Babladelis.
On average, 99% of the class of 2023 was employed, continuing their education, or engaged in service within 9 months of graduation. According to the Career Development Center (CDC), internships are a large player in helping students obtain these positions.
Business and Marketing major Grace Bolinsky ‘25 spent her summer as a planning and allocation intern at TJX in the Marshall’s Kids Division. In her role, Bolinsky was responsible for deciding the number of merchandise units that would be shipped to a given Marshall’s store. She worked closely with her manager to whom she reported her analysis each week.
Bolinsky’s internship experience allowed her to test-drive a career in merchandising.
“I had always wanted to learn about the corporate side of things and what really went into creating a store full of merchandise,” said Bolinsky, who had worked in retail stores prior to her internship. “I now know that a career in corporate retail would be a great opportunity for me, especially with the intent of fashion merchandising.”
Bolinsky credits her business classes at Saint Anselm, particularly her financial management class, with her success in her internship role.
“I had a lot of knowledge related to sales data prior to my internship which helped me a lot,” she noted.
Politics and Theology major Michael Hanna ‘26 spent his summer as an intern in Governor Healey’s Office of Boards and Commissions in the West Wing of the Massachusetts State House.
The office oversees entities such as the Labor Advisory Council and the Special Commission on Emergency Housing Assistance Programs.
“On my first day, I was sworn in as a Commissioner to Qualify Public Officers, meaning I could legally swear in and witness the swearing-in of various appointments,” said Hanna.
After graduating from Saint Anselm, Hanna hopes to receive a graduate degree in Public Policy and then work in the labor policy or legal affairs field.
During his internship, Hanna reported to Chief Secretary April English who connected him to officials such as Senior Labor Advisor Roger Brunelle and Associate Deputy Chief of Staff for Legislative Affairs Patrick Brown. Both meetings pointed him toward his next steps in achieving his career goals.
Hanna believes he was well prepared for his role.
“When I began my internship, I worried I would struggle to acclimate to the position, which wasn’t the case,” he said. “This was a great confidence boost, and I hope to continue that this semester.”
Nursing major Caitlin Sullivan ‘25 completed her senior nursing preceptorship this summer on the Critical Care Unit at South Shore Hospital in Weymouth, MA.
During her preceptorship, Sullivan’s responsibilities included performing assessments, administering medication, monitoring vital signs and symptoms, communicating with healthcare providers, and participating in the facilitation of daily care for her patients.
An aspiring critical care nurse, Sullivan’s experience solidified her desire to pursue this career path. She learned skills during her preceptorship that she will apply in future clinical settings.
“I feel that I was able to learn and experience what it truly means to be empathetic and compassionate to both patients and families who may be experiencing some of the hardest moments in their lives,” reflected Sullivan.
Throughout the application process, Sullivan applied for preceptorships with multiple hospitals. She worked closely with her professors and the CDC to create a resume and cover letter for each hospital.
“[My professors and the CDC] helped me to build these documents to highlight my nursing skills and experiences for each specific opportunity, which was very helpful during the application process,” said Sullivan.
The CDC is a valuable source for students during their internship search. Services include career advising appointments and resume assistance, as well as online databases such as Handshake, where students can view open roles and connect with over 800,000 employers.
“We encourage our students to seek out opportunities and are available to support them before, during and after their internship,” said Babladelis.
The CDC is located in the Roger and Francine Jean Student Center Complex. Students are welcome to attend drop-in hours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 1pm to 3pm, or to schedule an appointment on Handshake.