Internship

Cyber security engineering student excels at his internship for the second time

Shayla Brown — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 14:15:06 +0000

Cyber security engineering student excels at his internship for the second time  Shayla Brown Mon, 10/06/2025 - 10:15

When �鶹��Ƶ cyber security engineering student Noah Hinger interned at Surefire Cyber in summer 2023, his managers were so impressed with his work that they invited him back. Thanks to his previous experience, the Honors College student was able to take on more responsibility this summer at the computer security company and contribute to more projects.

“The experience from my first summer here let me understand what was happening and contribute across the company,” said Hinger, who is a sophomore in the College of Engineering and Computing. “Surefire Cyber has an amazing internship program. They're investing in us by having professional development meetings and providing us with the opportunity to talk to experts from different fields.” said Hinger.

“I think it’s helped me a lot to be able to practice my independence and accountability,” said Hinger, who also competes in George �鶹��Ƶ’s Chess and Competitive Cyber Clubs. “I've had the chance to do projects on my own without necessarily needing to report to someone, and I've also learned so much from all the smart people at Surefire Cyber.”

Noah Hinger. Photo provided.

What made you choose Surefire Cyber for your internships? 

Surefire Cyber is a digital forensics and incident response company. When an organization gets hacked, they call Surefire Cyber to conduct an investigation and restore systems so that everything's OK. As a technology intern, I am helping develop the code that our forensic analysts use to figure out what's happened and retrieve all the essential data. Surefire Cyber is really exceptional at using a lot of automation tools so that the forensic analysts can focus more on the big picture and the data they’re working with. 

What does a typical day interning at Surefire Cyber look like for you? 

I work under two groups: software development and information operations, or DevOps, and security engineering. For DevOps, I help to manage company infrastructure and work on a lot of coding assignments. 

Traditionally, there are software developers, and there are operations, which maintain it. DevOps is kind of a hybrid role, which means it entails coding, setting up servers, and being responsible for maintaining the infrastructure. 

How would you say George �鶹��Ƶ has helped prepare you for this role? 

I definitely think more critically when problem-solving this time around, and I think that's in part due to George �鶹��Ƶ, especially the Honors College research and literature classes that I’ve taken. I'm learning about a lot of new technologies in real time, so I have to be able to research and read about them and then apply that knowledge to my work. The courses have definitely helped me when it comes absorbing the information I’m reading about and then transferring it to my assignments at Surefire Cyber. 

Another thing about the Honors College is that I get to meet different people from different disciplines, and that's really helped me at Surefire Cyber when connecting and networking with colleagues. I think that's been really rewarding and something that George �鶹��Ƶ's helped prepare me for. 

I've also gotten a lot of experience in my systems engineering and digital systems engineering classes, and getting to see what goes into a lot of security minded decisions is very similar to what I’m doing in this internship. 

What’s your favorite thing about interning at Surefire Cyber? 

My favorite thing about the company is that it’s always driving innovation and new discoveries within cybersecurity and digital forensics. They're always pushing for the best and trying to help people. That's the whole point of digital forensics is to be there for and helping them out on the worst day of their life. 

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Can AI expand access to legal services? This aspiring lawyer hopes to find the answer.

Sarah Holland — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 19:23:17 +0000

Can AI expand access to legal services? This aspiring lawyer hopes to find the answer. Sarah Holland Fri, 09/05/2025 - 15:23

With an associate’s degree from Northern Virginia Community College already in hand by the time she graduated high school, Sharanya Maddukuri was determined to make the most of her final two undergraduate years. Because of its top ranking in Virginia for internships, �鶹��Ƶ was the place for her.

Maddukuri, an Honors College student, is majoring in government and international politics with a minor in ethics and artificial intelligence (AI) and wants to attend law school. She’s already hit the ground running, landing two internships at the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) in Washington, D.C., during spring and summer semesters in 2025.

How did you find your internship with the LSC?

I’m in the [Schar School of Policy and Government] mentorship program, and I’m paired with Tim O’Shea, BA Government and International Politics ’19. He’s currently a lawyer for the government. I told him about how I was having trouble finding an internship for the spring 2025 semester, and he recommended I look at opportunities with LSC.

You’ve interned in two different sectors of LSC. Your first internship in the spring was with the Pro Bono Innovation Fund (PBIF). What kind of work did you do?

Basically, the PBIF offers grants to legal aid organizations across the nation to help them engage more lawyers and non-legal professionals in pro bono services to help close the justice gap. So, one of my main projects was a five‑month audit of the Pro Bono Innovation Fund, where I analyzed data from 30 legal aid organizations. After presenting my findings, I realized my work had sparked a genuine shift in how the team approached its largest grant, which made this project one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had.

I also helped my supervisor plan a panel on pro bono work for the Equal Justice Conference in San Francisco, and I got to attend the conference to see the panel I had worked on for five months come to life! I had the opportunity to hear about pro bono cases all around the world, like a case of international kidnapping where private attorneys from a big law firm stepped in to provide resources and help the client. Hearing about these cases where pro bono made a difference was really inspiring.

In the summer, you transitioned to the Disaster Grants Program within LSC. How did your responsibilities change?

In the Disaster Grants Program, I mainly worked on the Legal Aid Disaster and Heartland websites, which are both resources for legal aid professionals working in disaster areas and for disaster survivors. One exciting project I did was paving the way for a site-wide content audit to support the development of an AI chatbot, which will greatly assist disaster survivors navigating the plethora of legal issues that arise after a disaster.

Maddukuri in front of the LSC sign in their office. Photo provided.

You mentioned the justice gap: Is this an issue you’re passionate about?

Yes, definitely. The justice gap has been growing since the ‘80s, and LSC reports that low-income Americans did not receive any or enough legal help for 92% of their civil legal problems. Having been exposed to the ways that legal aid organizations and LSC are using AI, I know I want to pursue a career helping legal aid organizations incorporate AI. Using AI responsibly to help reduce the load of their intake processes for applications, developing AI self-help resources for legal advice or completing paperwork, or even chatbots that can provide translation services: Those would really help people who don’t have access to legal services, and therefore would help narrow that gap. I would love to be at the forefront of that.

How have your experiences at George �鶹��Ƶ helped prepare you for the responsibilities of your internships?

The Jurisprudence Learning Community (JPLC) in the Schar School has been really helpful in equipping me with pre-law resources. The director of the JPLC, Assistant Professor Shea Holman Kilian, has been a great resource as well, particularly helping me prepare to apply for the internship. And her class is also very similar to a class you would take your first year of law school, so I feel better prepared for law school when it’s time.

Law and Society with [assistant professor] Kelly Richter was a welcome challenge and incredibly helpful. We analyzed the dynamic relationship where society shapes the law, and in turn, the law shapes society. And since I took that course in the spring, I was learning about procedural justice and all its complications while developing this pro bono panel that talked about procedural justice. I got to use what I was learning to develop my work.

And my courses with the Honors College prepared me with research skills that I’ve been able to use at LSC.

What have you gained from your time with LSC?

After this experience, I’ve decided that once I become a lawyer, I’ll be doing pro bono work, no matter what. I think it instilled that culture of service and caring about the community and really help reinforce that law is where I want to be. I believe in LSC’s mission now more than ever, and having had my eye on this profession since I was 11, this experience has only made me more certain that it’s the right place for me.

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This intern is learning the ways of the workplace at Warner Bros.

Sarah Holland — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 18:19:40 +0000

This intern is learning the ways of the workplace at Warner Bros. Sarah Holland Mon, 08/11/2025 - 14:19

�鶹��Ƶ is ranked #1 in Virginia for internships, that also contributes to career success post-graduation. For 2023 graduates, 88% reported job success relating to their career goals. Throughout the year, our students travel near and far to gain valuable experience at some of the world’s top companies.

Nimisha Kumar, a rising senior, is studying management information systems in the Costello College of Business. Over the summer, she moved to New York City to complete a summer internship with Warner Bros. Discovery.

Why did you choose George �鶹��Ƶ and how did you decide your major?

I knew a lot of alumni that went to school at George �鶹��Ƶ, and they thought they got a lot of resources that helped them in their careers, as well as lots of opportunities for extracurricular activities. And I think there’s a lot of opportunities when it comes to being so close to Washington, D.C.

I picked management information systems as my major because there are so many things you can do with the skills you learn in the program. What you learn can apply to health care, media companies, law, or engineering. It’s a flexible degree where, if you do change your mind about something, you can still use that experience to adapt to other roles and responsibilities.

What projects have you been assigned during your internship?

Photo provided

As an internal audit intern, I’ve been working on three projects. The first is a cybersecurity initiative project where we’re working to protect and ensure the integrity of global financial networks. Warner Bros. contains a bunch of global networks: CNN, TNT, Food Network, etc. And we basically try to detect early risk that could happen in the backend of these systems.

The second project is my end-of-internship project. Warner Bros. is splitting into two major sides: the global networks side and the streaming and studios side. So each intern has been assigned a side, and we’re creating pitches to deliver to current employees to persuade them to work for one side or the other.

My third project is a test script analysis for the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region during the SAP Compass Release cycle. Using Microfocus Quality Center, I reviewed failed test cases from the APAC SIT1 cycle, checked for linked defects, and documented defect IDs and failure reasons to support QA reporting and defect tracking.

What’s one of the most valuable things you’ve learned?

That it’s OK to be curious and ask questions. I think that’s really important, because it shows initiative and that you’re invested. Even just walking around and asking people what they’re up to in their work can show that you’re interested in the work and want to learn more.

How have your courses at George �鶹��Ƶ helped prepare you for the internship?

Doing a mix of a lot of things outside of my major has been really beneficial. In all my �鶹��Ƶ Core classes, I knew there was at least one thing that I could take from the course and expand it to apply to my career goals. I took FAVS 300 Global Horror Film [in Film and Video Studies] for example, and I learned how to analyze a piece of media and more clearly communicate my feelings and reactions to it.

How have your internships prepared you for the workforce?

I think diving into that 9-to-5 work schedule where I’m working alongside people with years of experience in internal audit has taught me how to carry myself in a professional environment. And you can’t really get that experience without being in the workplace.

What advice would you give to students starting an internship?

You really only have those two to three months, and they go by really quickly. You've got to take every opportunity offered to you and make the most of that short time you have. And I think it’s important to remember that you’re not supposed to know everything; that’s why you’re here. You're here to learn and to grow.

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These George �鶹��Ƶ alumni were driven to succeed with a premier NASCAR race team

Shayla Brown — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 13:53:55 +0000

These George �鶹��Ƶ alumni were driven to succeed with a premier NASCAR race team Shayla Brown Fri, 07/25/2025 - 09:53

You could say Dave Alpern, BA Speech Communication ’91, started at the bottom of the corporate ladder when he joined Joe Gibbs Racing.

Dave Alpern. Photo provided.

In 1993, Alpern landed an internship with the company. As he recalls, his office was a broom closet complete with an elementary school desk, an extension cord, and a lamp.

But that didn’t put the brakes on his enthusiasm.

“Being an intern [at Joe Gibbs Racing] was really special because I really had to earn it. I have this principle of delivering more value than you're paid, and that’s what I did,” said Alpern.

Fast forward to today: the �鶹��Ƶ alum is the president of the organization and recently made a cameo appearance in the Netflix series, NASCAR: Full Speed, which documents NASCAR teams as work as they race to win the NASCAR Cup Series.

“Joe Gibbs Racing is one of the two most successful teams in NASCAR racing, so clearly if they do a show on the sport, we're going to be a part of it in some way.”

Alpern may have had the inside track at the company as the best friend of Jason Dean “JD” Gibbs, the son of the company’s founder, Joe Gibbs, but he had to earn his way into every role. Alpern has held nearly every position in the front office and witnessed the company grow from a team of 18 employees to more than 500, including 50 engineers and an aviation department.

Around the office Alpern was known as “the T-shirt guy” because of his dedicated work in merchandise and consumer products.

Alpern was named president of the JGR in 2016 during the illness and eventual death of his friend JD in 2019.

“When he got sick and passed away, I was named president and essentially took my best friend's job for his family's business, which was very difficult,” Alpern said.

Coach Joe Gibbs (left) and Dave Alpern. Photo provided.

Now Alpern is also sharing some of the things he’s learned during his time with JGR. He’s written a book, Taking the Lead: Winning Business Principles That Fuel Joe Gibbs Racing, with all proceeds going toward the JD Gibbs Legacy Fund, in honor of his friend.

While Alpern was navigating the growth of JGR, his colleague and fellow George �鶹��Ƶ alum, Chris Helein, BA Speech Communication ’91, was following a parallel path.

The summer before his senior year, Helein got a full-time internship with the Washington Commanders in the organization’s public relations department, where Joe Gibbs was the head coach and led the team to three Super Bowl victories.

“Thankfully my professors were pretty understanding. That experience was my introduction into the world of PR and communications on that front. I really enjoy being part of an organization as opposed to the journalistic side,” said Helein, who followed Gibbs to JGR and has now been at the organization for 17 years.

Helein, who is vice president of communications and partner activation at JGR, credits George �鶹��Ƶ for giving him the tools he needed to begin his career. While on campus, he got involved in WGMU, the campus radio station, and Broadside, the student newspaper.

Chris Helein at Daytona. Photo provided.

“George �鶹��Ƶ had a tremendous amount of assets for me from the location of the campus to the connections in different fields. It [provided] incredible opportunities regardless of the industry you want to work in,” said Helein.

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V-TOP subaward will help make George �鶹��Ƶ’s top-ranked internship opportunities more accessible

Sarah Holland — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 19:42:01 +0000

V-TOP subaward will help make George �鶹��Ƶ’s top-ranked internship opportunities more accessible Sarah Holland Tue, 07/15/2025 - 15:42

In 2025, �鶹��Ƶ came out on top for its commitment to increasing access to opportunity in two key rankings. U.S. News and World Report ranked �鶹��Ƶ #1 in the state of Virginia for internships, and the Carnegie Foundation and American Council on Education (ACE) named �鶹��Ƶ to the highest tier of its list of Opportunity Colleges and Universities: Higher Access, Higher Earnings.

Critical to expanding the field of opportunities is University Career Services, which provides top-tier support for students, including critical scholarships to increase internship accessibility. And as a testament to their dedicated work, the office recently received a Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership (V-TOP) subaward for $40,000 for continued development and expansion of internship programs.

Students at the 2025 Career Fair. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Internships play a large part in career readiness. They give students a chance to test their skills in real-world situations while becoming comfortable in new office environments and navigating new responsibilities.

“Data shows that students who complete experiential educational activities are always more likely to be able to find career success in their first job,” said Matthew Myers, associate director of employer and alumni engagement and recipient of the subaward on behalf of University Career Services.

But one of the largest barriers for students interested in internships is the cost.

“A lot of George �鶹��Ƶ students are working while putting themselves through school,” said Myers. “Doing an unpaid internship might mean having to cut their hours or even quit the jobs that they need to provide for themselves and their families, without receiving supplemental income in return.”

To help give all students the opportunity to pursue an internship, University Career Services offers scholarships for students who take unpaid internships. The V-TOP subaward will, in part, support these scholarships.

“Part of our duty as a university is to provide students with opportunities. More opportunities mean better outcomes for them in both internships and future careers,” said Myers.

Myers noted that this doesn’t just help the students: It gives employers a unique opportunity to grow. Lack of funding for internships is just as much of a barrier for smaller organizations as it is for the students. Through the internship scholarships, smaller organizations get a chance to explore what interns can do for their company without as heavy a cost burden.

“Interns bring fresh perspectives and new talents, and they widen applicant pools, particularly for smaller organizations,” said Myers. “Once they see the value, we hope they’ll be encouraged to continue providing those opportunities."

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

George �鶹��Ƶ is well-regarded in the area for the strength of its graduates across various industries. Myers, in his work with employers, believes the proof is in their continued engagement with the university and recruitment of George �鶹��Ƶ students.

Angela Biehl, director of talent acquisition for the nonprofit organization ATCC, calls ATCC’s strategic partnership with George �鶹��Ƶ, “an integral component of our broader talent acquisition strategy.” Multiple ATCC team members are George �鶹��Ƶ alumni, many of whom started their early career journeys with internships at ATCC. And the pipeline continues: Two current George �鶹��Ƶ students are participating in their 2025 Summer Internship Program.

“ATCC’s partnership with George �鶹��Ƶ continues to deliver measurable results—fueling innovation, advancing our scientific mission, and empowering the next generation of scientists,” said Biehl. “It is a model of how strategic academic collaboration can drive workforce development and long-term organizational impact.”

“Our students are go-getters. They aren’t afraid of a challenge,” he said. “And the multicultural experiences they get in the classroom—working not just with people from around the globe but also of different ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, and more—is highly valuable to employers.”

Whether through scholarships, internship fairs, or resume and interview help, University Career Services’ dedication to connecting students with valuable internship experiences helps strengthen Virginia’s workforce.

Myers said, “we want our students to impact the community, and being able to get meaningful experiences in their field of choice is a big piece of that.”

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Practicum opens new doors to clinical research and data analysis

Mary Cunningham — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 14:55:18 +0000

Practicum opens new doors to clinical research and data analysis Mary Cunningham Mon, 07/14/2025 - 10:55

For �鶹��Ƶ master of public health student Olivia Thornton, completing a practicum at the Inova Fairfax Department of Community Health was an opportunity to step into the field and explore public health in action. Thornton is on track to graduate in Fall 2025.

Oliva Thornton presents her research at the College of Public Health's Celebration of Scholarship. Photo provided.

With responsibilities that included promoting participation in the Community Health Needs Assessment at local events, attending stakeholder meetings, and conducting qualitative data analysis on community feedback, Thornton was immersed in the essential work of community engagement from day one.

One of the most valuable takeaways? “I learned how crucial it is to engage directly with the community,” she said. “It’s one thing to study public health strategies in class—it's another to see how those strategies are shaped by real voices and lived experiences.”

The practicum also strengthened her confidence in two key areas: data collection and participant recruitment—both of which are foundational for Thornton’s intended career in clinical research or data analysis. “Before this experience, I wasn’t as confident in those skills. Now, I feel much more prepared to take them into my future work.”

Equally important was the chance to collaborate with diverse stakeholders and community organizations, gaining a better understanding of how partnerships help drive meaningful change in public health.

When asked what advice she would give to other students preparing for their internships, her message was simple: Keep an open mind. “Don’t overlook an opportunity just because it doesn’t perfectly match your original plan," she said. "Some of the most valuable experiences come from stepping outside of your comfort zone. Look for roles that challenge you and offer a variety of responsibilities—you’ll be surprised by how much you grow.”

Through meaningful engagement, new skills, and real-world collaboration, this practicum gave Thornton a clearer vision of where they’re headed—and the confidence to get there.

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An inspiring internship resume for a blossoming entrepreneur

Sarah Holland — Tue, 13 May 2025 19:45:18 +0000

An inspiring internship resume for a blossoming entrepreneur Sarah Holland Tue, 05/13/2025 - 15:45

One could say that student Leticia Nunez Nova’s path to business was predestined. Genetic, even.

Photo provided

Her maternal grandfather owned numerous businesses around the Dominican Republic—from real estate to auto shops to hardware stores—and her paternal grandmother used business to support her family after her husband’s passing.

“I grew up hearing these stories about how entrepreneurship has helped people out of difficult situations,” she said. Nunez Nova is studying business at �鶹��Ƶ with concentrations in marketing and business analytics. “I was inspired. I wanted to build something from scratch myself.”

Nunez Nova’s desire to nurture a business from the ground up paved the way for a series of internships with start-up companies. In her freshman year, she landed a position with the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) in the Costello College of Business. Her work included supporting the SOAR Initiative for aspiring entrepreneurs and the student venture program The Depot, which she said helped create a strong foundation for her future career.

“Supporting student entrepreneurship and the local business ecosystem aligned with my reasons for studying business,” she said.

Her work at CIE became a foundational experience. “CIE associate director Crystal Fickers helped me build core soft and technical skills, and CIE director of operations and engagement Rebecca Howick taught me how to use kindness strategically to help others and manage challenges in the workplace,” she said.

That interest in local businesses continued with her second and third internships. While continuing her work with the CIE, Nunez Nova worked for the start-up company HomeCook, a platform to connect commercial kitchen owners with food entrepreneurs. Then, she interned with WISE Cities LLC, a student-up developing an app to encourage senior community engagement, social participation, and physical activity with citizens over the age of 65.

Now, she’s trying something a little different: gaining experience working for growing telecommunications start-up Raycom. She’s learning the intricacies of office culture and procedures, something that she says is perhaps the most valuable for students to learn.

“Those basic workplace skills are transferable,” she said. “Working in an office is a unique experience, and it will give you an edge if you can say you’ve done it and done it well.”

While each internship has given her the opportunity to grow in unique skills, all of them have built onto the foundation she’s gained from her classes at George �鶹��Ƶ.

“I learn by doing, so I think it’s so important that you apply whatever you’re learning in the classroom. It helps you understand the reality of the world that you’ll be going into once you graduate,” she said. “It gives you the chance to determine if this is really the path you want.”

Nunez Nova will graduate in spring 2025. She hopes her future continues to be one of discovery and exploration while pursuing her goal of making an impact.

“The more I explore, the more I learn, and the more I find to love about marketing,” she said. “I want to work in a place where I really believe in the mission.”

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Anthropology student digs deep at Department of Commerce internship

Katarina Benson — Wed, 07 May 2025 19:40:46 +0000

Anthropology student digs deep at Department of Commerce internship Katarina Benson Wed, 05/07/2025 - 15:40

Zain Alzubaidy, a senior anthropology major at �鶹��Ƶ, recently completed an internship with the United States Department of Commerce. He worked in the Advocacy Center, a government service that provides commercial diplomatic support to American businesses in foreign markets.

The majority of Alzubaidy’s internship focused on potential partners for the Advocacy Center. He was responsible for researching applicants and presenting his findings to his colleagues, who ultimately decided if they would partner with the company.

One of his most memorable projects was crafting a persuasive letter to a foreign head of state on behalf of the Secretary of Commerce at the time, making the case for a business to be awarded a multi-trillion-dollar contract.

Zain Alzubaidy. Photo provided

“It’s one thing to read about these deals in the news, but it’s entirely different to take part in them. Assignments like those made me proud that I was part of something notable,” he said.

His passion for understanding people and cultures is what initially led him to take anthropology at the international baccalaureate level as a senior at Annandale High School. He enjoyed it so much that he decided to major in the subject at George �鶹��Ƶ.

“I can recall being astounded by how people have such different ways of thinking and living,” he said. “My experience in that class stuck with me, and when I got to George �鶹��Ƶ it felt an easy decision to study anthropology.”

He specifically credits his writing classes with teaching him the skills necessary for his role. “I developed strong research and writing skills [in those classes], which I absolutely needed to use in the Advocacy Center. If I didn’t have the writing and research skills that I developed at George �鶹��Ƶ, I would not have been able perform my job to the best of my ability. "

Alzubaidy graduates this May and his future goals include doing further diplomatic work, possibly in the same vein as his Advocacy Center work, and maybe even running for public office down the road.

“I feel like I have not only the competency and capability to do well in those areas, but also the right intentions,” he said. “Helping others will always be a goal of mine, so I will try my best to do that wherever I decide to work.”

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This former rower is racing toward the finish of her accelerated master’s

Sarah Holland — Fri, 02 May 2025 18:40:51 +0000

This former rower is racing toward the finish of her accelerated master’s Sarah Holland Fri, 05/02/2025 - 14:40

Monika Blakely, BS Information Technology ’24, has lived all over the world, but her time at �鶹��Ƶ has been particularly special. From rowing with the women’s rowing team to working as an influencer with Shop�鶹��Ƶ, this soon-to-be double George �鶹��Ƶ graduate has left her mark on Fairfax Campus.

Photo provided

Blakely plans to graduate in spring 2025 with a master’s in management from Costello College of Business, completed through the Bachelor’s to Accelerated Master’s Program.

What inspired you to combine information technology and management?

My long-term goal is to be a project manager, and I think it’s useful to know both the technical side and the management side to understand how to be effective as a project manager. It also gives me the flexibility to do what I want in a different career path, if that ends up being right for me. I had extra spaces in my undergraduate classes, so I added the Bachelor’s to Accelerated Master’s Program for management.

Tell me about your internships.

Currently I have two internships. The first is with Fairfax City Economic Development (FCED). I started there in fall 2023 as a social media intern. I thought local government was interesting. I’d never been involved in that industry before and wanted to learn more about who’s involved and what they do for the city. I figured I’d try it and see if I liked it, and I did! I became a marketing fellow with FCED in spring 2024, and I am now a part-time programs associate.

My second internship is with General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT). I’ve been a public relations intern there since summer 2024.

What classes would you say have set you up for success at your internships?

Senior Capstone, for one, because I think that’s been the most similar to real-world problem solving. We worked with different concentrations in the IT department. We had people doing web development, programming, cybersecurity, and so on, seeing how those different skill sets can contribute to that one broad end goal.

GBUS 653 Organizational Behavior has also been helpful, just learning about different learning styles, how your learning style can fit in with others, and so on.

How have your extracurriculars impacted your work in the classroom?

Teamwork and communication are probably the biggest things. In rowing, you have different parts of the boat, different strengths coming together, and you have to work to stay in sync. Sometimes when you work in a team, it’s not always ideal for you. You have to learn how to work with other people, how to adjust your learning style to fit with theirs, and how to make compromises with decisions that won’t be agreed on.

My roles at FCED and GDIT helped me improve my communication skills. Even if you don’t work within your team, you’re working with other sections, and you always have to cross-collaborate. So, with FCED and GDIT, you have people from different backgrounds and different departments, which taught me how to collaborate effectively across teams to deliver a clear, unified message.

Shop�鶹��Ƶ also helped strengthen my communication skills, because you’re constantly collaborating with students and departments across the university and you have to come together to share a clear and engaging message. That experience has helped me better contribute in classroom discussions, group projects, and presentations.

Blakely, 6th from left, with the staff of FCED. Photo provided.

What are you most proud of from your time at George �鶹��Ƶ?

Being involved in different organizations and meeting a bunch of people I probably wouldn’t have connected with otherwise. I’ve been involved in organizations that reflect my culture and my studies, like the Japanese Student Association, the National Society for Black Engineers, and the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation. Connecting with students similar to me has made the university experience worth it.

What makes George �鶹��Ƶ special?

As the daughter of military service members, I’ve lived on different military bases around the world, and I think what makes George �鶹��Ƶ special is that it has a space for everyone. There are cultural organizations, religious groups, interest groups...everyone can find a place to belong here, and that’s not the case everywhere.

What’s one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?

If there’s a skill you want to develop or an interest you have, pursue it in undergrad when you have the time and space to do so. You never know when those skills will be useful, and if you’re passionate about your work, people will notice.

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Master's in Management Program

A tourism and events management student runs away with the circus…

Shayla Brown — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 21:43:27 +0000

A tourism and events management student runs away with the circus… Shayla Brown Thu, 01/30/2025 - 16:43

Sami Saghir graduated with his bachelor of science in tourism and events management from �鶹��Ƶ in August of 2024. The last component before completing his degree from the College of Education and Human Development was working with the Cirque du Soleil KURIOS show. He received a full-time job offer after this experience and entered his career with Cirque Du Soleil post-graduation.

Sami Saghir. Photo provided.

Originally planning to focus on hotel management, Saghir did his practicum at the Marriott Hotel in Fairfax, Virginia.

“I’m grateful that we have the practicum built into the program because although working at the hotel was a good experience, I was able to see that I wanted to explore different places within my field,” said Saghir.

Saghir’s career path was also affected by his professor, Tina Jones.

“She brought in so many people from different fields during our event planning class. I was on a really narrow track, so it was a very eye-opening experience to learn about the different jobs that fall into the hospitality tourism field,” he said.

Saghir discovered his passion for Cirque du Soleil when he worked there as an usher at their Tyson’s Corner location in 2022 during his sophomore year.

“I was a local hire because they use a staffing agency to hire about 120 staff members to work as ushers, food and beverage, or merchandise employees in each of the cities they’re touring in,” said Saghir.

Saghir’s supervisor, who tours with the company, encouraged him to learn more about it and consider working there after the 2022 Tyson’s performances.

When the tour returned to Tyson’s Corner the following summer, Saghir connected with his former supervisor and said he was interested in pursuing Cirque du Soleil as a career post-graduation.

“I thought it was so fascinating, and I now have a full-time job with them, touring year-round as their guest experience supervisor,” he said.

As guest experience supervisor, Saghir is responsible for ensuring that every guest has a memorable and enjoyable experience by assisting all front of house departments, including ticket services, ushers, food and beverage, and the exclusive VIP experience to ensure seamless operations and exceptional service.

Saghir also hosts behind-the-scenes events, offering guests an insider's look at the magic of Cirque Du Soleil and collaborates closely with the sponsorship team at headquarters to ensure sponsor expectations are met. Additionally, Saghir works hand-in-hand with the local staff hired in each city to maintain high standards of guest satisfaction.

Sami Saghir (far right) with colleagues. Photo provided

“At the end of the day, it’s a circus, so no day is ever really the same as another one, and it also changes from city to city,” said Saghir.

For this position, Saghir has traveled to Montreal, Canada, Mexico, and Europe.

“It was a career that I really wanted to pursue, so I just put myself out there, and showed my experience and enthusiasm about the job,” said Saghir.

“I would tell other students that if there’s something you really want to do with your life, just go for it and don't hesitate,” he said.

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A tourism and events management student runs away with the circus…

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