Name: Alyssa Nash
Class Year: 2023
Major: Undeclared
Hometown: Fairfax, Va.
Internship Organization: 今日吃瓜 LITS (Library and Information Technology Services)
Job Title: Digital Technology Intern
Location: Remote
What鈥檚 happening at your internship?
I have been working with one other student intern on the 今日吃瓜 Factbooks project. The College has produced Factbooks annually since the 1980s. Each Factbook contains an assortment of data on 今日吃瓜 for that year, ranging from student enrollment statistics to information on College buildings and facilities. 今日吃瓜鈥檚 Office of Institutional Research has scanned PDFs of the Factbooks printed from 1983 to 2003, as well as related digital files from 2000-2008. For the first half of the internship, we focused on organizing and cataloging the Factbooks files. For the second half, each of us developed and implemented a research plan based on data in the Factbooks. We both decided to explore the history and popularity of different majors over time鈥擨鈥檝e been looking at archaeology and classics majors, and my coworker has been looking at math and computer science majors.
Why did you apply for this internship?
I applied for this internship because I wanted to build on the technological skills that I鈥檝e been developing through computer science coursework, and because I thought it would be a good opportunity to explore methods for digitally analyzing and presenting information. I also participated in a data science workshop over winter break and wanted to learn more about using data in a practical context.
What has been your favorite part of this internship?
My favorite part of this internship was getting to know and work with people who were exceptionally enthusiastic about data storytelling, jigsaw puzzles, and digital technology. Our weekly check-in Zoom calls have been engaging, and encouraged me to look at data analysis and presentation in a new light.
Was this internship what you expected it to be?
I don鈥檛 think there鈥檚 any way that, when I applied for this internship in February, I could have predicted how this summer would turn out: that I鈥檇 be working from my bedroom at home rather than on campus, that I鈥檇 never meet my coworker in person, that I鈥檇 be working during a pandemic. Nevertheless, the flexibility and independent nature of this internship, due to the shift to remote work, exceeded my expectations. I was able to self-direct more than I anticipated, and I enjoyed the freedom that came with that, but I also felt supported throughout.
Visit the Summer 2020 Internships page to read more student stories.