Over the summer, these students are getting hands-on experience in their fields, traveling, and conducting research. Also on their minds this summer is preparing for their thesis projects and the job search.
The courses that Josh has taken at Carthage have prepared him for an exciting internship as a GIS analyst for the Lake County Division of Transportation in Illinois. Over the summer, Josh will complete tasks such as inventory gathering along county highways and bikeways, maintaining spatial data, and map creation.
What is Josh learning this summer? “This summer internship gives me time to do field work, data maintenance and record keeping, and use GIS equipment and devices. My day consists of working directly with higher-level GIS professionals.”
Why Carthage? “The professors here are the best!”
Josh specifically credits professors Matt Zorn, Wenjie Sun, and Joy Mast with helping to prepare him for this internship. And a smaller college community makes building connections and networking much easier.
Connections through Carthage gave Abigail the confidence to secure a summer internship at Uline, a major distributor of shipping, industrial, and packaging materials near Kenosha. Working at Uline as a Product Marketing Intern this summer has enhanced her communication skills and adaptability in a professional setting. Throughout the summer, she grew her passion for product knowledge and marketing, and looks forward to learning more in her classes this year.
How did a Carthage mentor help prepare her for this opportunity?
Abigail met her mentor, Paul Krupa ’11, through the Carthage Mentoring Program. Mr. Krupa guided her through the application and interview process for her summer internship at Uline. Abigail has also appreciated the endless support and encouragement that she received from her Career Specialist, Amy Malczewski MSc ’24, in the Aspire Center.
Why Carthage?
Abigail has taken advantage of what Carthage has to offer beyond the classroom by participating in intramural sports and completing a semester abroad in Spain. She looks forward to returning to campus to enjoy the beautiful campus with her friends.
As a double-major, Kara is excited to begin writing her two undergraduate theses, one for English and one for religion. To help her prepare, she is working on a Summer Undergraduate Research Experience over the summer.
What does Kara plan to study this summer? Professor Fatih Harpci has helped her lay the groundwork for her project, “Crossroads of Faith: Art, Architecture, and Interreligious Dynamics in ‘La Convivencia’” researching interreligious dynamics in medieval Spain. The Summer Undergraduate Research Experience will help Kara perfect her independent research skills.
Why Carthage? “Carthage is the best college for me because it has opened up so many doors — from traveling to research opportunities, to interesting and engaging coursework and co-curriculars. I know I will graduate feeling fulfilled and grateful.”
Alexandraplans to soak up the sun and more nursing experience as an intern with a med-surg team and as a CNA in a memory care facility. She will meet people from a variety of backgrounds and test her knowledge through the care she provides at Froedtert South.
How did Alexandra’s Carthage experiences prepare her for this opportunity? Alexandra appreciates the personal relationships she has with her professors, who helped her find internship opportunities, wrote letters of recommendation, and cheered her on!
What skills is she perfecting over the summer? As an intern, Alexandra learns something new every day! In a med-surg unit, you never know what the day will bring or what care patients will need. Alexandra says her internship is strengthening her critical thinking skills and giving her more confidence when communicating with patients. These skills are vital to becoming a nurse.
What excites Alexandra about her senior year? “I’m looking forward to a J-Term trip to Tanzania! Also, I’m super excited for my nursing preceptorship in the spring semester!”
As a theatre education major, Paige’s summer job teaching William Shakespeare’s plays to 5th-12th graders at FirstStage is a perfect fit.
How did her Carthage experiences prepare her for this opportunity? Paige credits her “Carthage Crew” with helping her attain her summer job. Professor Karin Sconzert shares her enthusiasm for teaching and prepared Paige for her interview. Professor Martin McClendon rebirthed her love for Shakespeare and taught her skills to relay complicated text. Professor Herschel Kruger pushed her to be her best and offered directing advice. And, Christie Burgess-Martino, who supervises Paige at her on-campus job in the Office of Visual and Performing Arts, once worked at FirstStage and is always happy to provide support.
“I have made a bit of Carthage my own, and I am leaving a bit of myself here once I graduate.”
What excites Paige about her senior year? “I am excited to complete my theatre thesis by performing in the New Play Initiative, ‘The Blue Bird’ by Will Eno.”
Why Carthage? As she enters her senior year, she can see how so many Carthage experiences have prepared her for today. From performing in front of an audience of 1,000 for the first time to going to gigs in Milwaukee with the improv group , Paige has gotten a variety of firsts and new experiences that help expand her resume.
Over the summer, Kayla will begin to put pieces together as she prepares to complete her degree. This includes gaining inspiration for her studio art senior thesis project, taking a couple of hands-on courses to learn more filmmaking and editing techniques, and a summer job at a the Photography Cage near her home.
How did her Carthage experiences prepare her for this opportunity? Every one of Kayla’s professors have provided her with support to complete a self-designed degree. Their dedication have helped mold Kayla’s knowledge, education, and future in the art world. She says, “There is truly no one like Carthage staff and faculty!”
“Carthage was the best college for me because I found more than a degree. I found home.”
Why Carthage? Her brother, Zach Icenogle, found Carthage initially and inspired her decision to transfer. At first, she worried that she would not be good enough. Now that she is so close to graduating, she sees how much Carthage has influenced her! She loves big events such as Homecoming and the academic resources that have helped her cross the finish line.
Soon after the spring semester ended, Katie packed up for a June J-Term to Japan! The trip is an opportunity to conduct research on graphic design, social media, and marketing and visit the cities of Kyoto, Tokyo, and Hokkaido. The J-Term trip and other opportunities to take amazing photos throughout the summer will support her on her journey to opening her own photography business!
How did a Carthage mentor prepare Katie for this opportunity? Joshua McGowan, assistant professor of art, has offered feedback that has pushed Katie not just as a designer, but also has a well-rounded creative and student-athlete. He encourages her to balance creativity with discipline. This has helped her to stay focused on her goals as she trains for volleyball and prepares to launch her own photography business.
What excites Katie about her senior year? Katie returns to campus ready for her final season on the . She says that being a was a great decision because she can balance playing volleyball with focusing on academics and having a social life. Having completed her senior thesis in the spring, she looks forward to spending time with her teammates and friends before completing her degree in December.
Hands-on in Healthcare
Layla Wiedman ’26
Internship with McLean County Health Department Major: Nursing
Building on all she has learned through Carthage Nursing, this summer Layla stepped into an internship as a student nurse at the McLean County Health Department in her hometown.
What skills is she perfecting this summer?
As a student nurse intern, Layla has gained experience with client intake paperwork, vaccination schedules, and vaccine inventory. She is learning about public health and the services her hometown county health department provides.
Why Carthage?
Layla says that studying nursing at Carthage has made her grateful for having such great professors who pour out their knowledge. She appreciates how the nursing faculty helped her find possible internships and wrote reference letters. She looks forward to diving deeper into her clinical knowledge during her senior year.
Devon’s position as a nurse extern in the cardiology step-down unit at University Hospital in Madison, Wis. will give him a better understanding of heart conditions and medical interventions and will help him prepare for working as a nurse post-graduation.
How did Carthage prepare him for this opportunity? With this externship in mind, Devon asked The Aspire Center for help fine-tuning his resume. He also acknowledges how the student-faculty ratio has given him support. He has developed close relationships with professors whom he will stay in touch with after graduation.
What excites Devon about his senior year? Devon says, “I am excited to help lead the nursing cohorts to success as president.” He also looks forward to finishing his clinical experience alongside his 2026 classmates.
Her classes in Carthage’s chemistry department and a SURE research project last summer prepared Aubrey for doing graduate-level research at the University of Kansas.
What skills are you perfecting this summer? Her research in using lanthanide metals uses a lot of instruments and techniques such as NMR, IR, cyclic voltammetry, and X-ray crystallography. While using a lot of air and moisture-free chemistry, she has to be careful that no air molecules touch reagents (or it could ruin the reaction). She is also perfecting her public speaking skills to prepare for presenting her work at a national conference. “This experience is in a graduate school setting, so I am treated the same as a graduate student.”
Why Carthage? Aubrey says, “I love Carthage’s chemistry department!” The faculty, small class sizes, and the many ways to be involved in the chemistry department have helped her to really learn the material, which prepares her for her future.
Adrian is applying what he has learned in the classroom to the real world this summer with an internship with the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office. Working alongside staff, he gets to observe multiple divisions, such as patrol, detentions, dispatch, detective bureau and the medical examiner’s office.
What skills are you perfecting this summer? The internship with the Sheriff’s office follows a spring internship with the Kenosha Police Department. Both internships have reinforced Adrian’s goal of pursuing law school and working in public service. He says that getting first-hand experience across the agency has “helped sharpen my communication, situational awareness, and professionalism in real-world policing environments.”
What excites you about your senior year? Senior year brings everything into focus! Adrian looks forward to an exciting season on the and will lead , Carthage’s pre-law fraternity, as president. He will be applying to law schools that align with his passion for public service.
How did a Carthage mentor help prepare him for this opportunity? Criminal justice professors Rick Matthews and Bradley Zopf played a key role in encouraging this first-generation college student’s interest in law enforcement by supporting him through the internship application process. He says, “The community here has helped shape not only who I am as a student, but also who I want to be as a future legal professional.”
Compassionate Healing
Anna Kegel ’26
Student Nurse Intern at Northwestern Medicine Emergency Department Major: Nursing
Spending the summer as a student nurse intern at Northwestern Medicine has built Anna’s confidence as she provides compassionate care. She is now ready to apply everything she has learned in Carthage’s nursing program and through the internship to her senior-year clinicals.
What skills are you perfecting this summer? Last summer, Anna gained hands-on experience as an extern at Northwestern Medicine. Returning to work in the fast-paced Emergency Department has given her more real-world experience. Though it can be stressful, she is learning how to stay grounded and think critically when prioritizing her patients’ needs. She is also gaining confidence in assessments, documentation, medications, and IV access.
Why Carthage?
“Carthage helped me discover that nursing was where I truly belonged.”
She can both pursue nursing and compete in . Her professors and the clinical experiences have her feeling ready for the final stretch toward graduation and becoming a nurse.
Maggie has the best of both worlds this summer as she participates in a SURE research project and works at a kombucha bar in Winthrop Harbor, Illinois.
What research is she doing this summer? Combining her major in public relations and minor in sports business, Maggie decided to research the role of public relations in securing sponsorship deals for student-athletes in the name, image likeness or “NIL” era. She is interviewing public relation professionals in sports to better understand their role in the industry. Professor Colleen Palmer is the mentor for this project.
What excites her about returning to campus? Her SURE topic, “The Role of Public Relations in Securing Sponsorship Deals for Emerging Athletes in the NIL Era” will stand out on Maggie’s resume. She says, “I am excited to present my findings in the fall!”
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