COOL FOR THE SUMMER: Can Interns Do it All? Yes, They Can.
By Ryan Clark
CHS Communications Director
Sometimes, an internship can offer the total package.
Ask Natalie Reger, a 22-year-old rising senior and Communication Sciences and Disorders major from the Baltimore/Washington D.C. area.
Reger is interning this summer at the Center for Diversity at the Kennedy Krieger Institute, in affiliation with Johns Hopkins University.
There, she is able to acquire an integrated public health, clinical and research learning experience.
“I am currently researching adaptive functioning and mental health disorders in adolescents with autism,” said Reger, who will graduate in 2025. “Additionally, I am receiving great mentorship using interdisciplinary training experiences, leadership, professional development and didactics focusing on promoting health equity.”
Reger got the internship by researching summer opportunities around the Washington/Baltimore metro area. She was aware of the Kennedy Krieger/Johns Hopkins organization as her mom had worked there years ago, and her brother is a current patient. In the end, she was contacted for an interview and eventually was selected as one of nine out of 70 applicants.
And she’s been busy.
“My research mentor, Dr. Kathryn Van Eck, is a clinical psychologist who has an ongoing project concerning adolescents with (Autism Spectrum Disorder) who have experienced trauma,” Reger said. “I have developed a research project after reviewing her project and conducted a literature review on adaptive functioning relating to depression and anxiety symptoms in adolescents with ASD. I will evaluate her data and put together a statistical analysis to test my hypothesis/research question. I will be presenting my research at the Johns Hopkins CARES symposium at the end of the month and throughout the year at conferences and meetings.”
Then there’s also the didactic portion of her internship, where she takes classes on everything from preparing research projects and statistical analyses, to resumes and public speaking.
“Our orientation was weeklong, and I seriously learned so much regarding the field of public health and disparities across several populations,” she said. “We were connected with professionals who are in the field and want to hear our ideas and dreams. They have been continuously supportive throughout my time here and want to help. I learned about different diseases and epidemiology and how they affect underrepresented populations.”
Students say interning is just another way that getting your degree in the College of Health Sciences sets you apart. And it gives further proof why those who intern go on to have further success in the future.
“Interning is important for immersing yourself in the field and gaining hands-on experience,” she said. “This sets you up for success and will allow you to build a skillset for your field of interest. It is never too early to get involved and network. I was able to network with the director of my field of interest at one of the organizations and would not have been able to do this without my internship experience.”
Reger said she feels pride in being selected for her internship.
“I love my internship!” she said. “I feel honored to be at one of the best neurodiversity institutes in the country. It’s been a valuable learning experience for several reasons. I’m gaining practical, hands-on experience in public health, helping me apply the theoretical knowledge I’ve learned in my CLM 323 and HHS 453 classes.
“I appreciate the opportunity to work with my mentors and professionals who are experts in their field; their guidance and mentorship have been instrumental in my learning and professional development,” she continued. “My mentor has additionally taken on giving me feedback for my graduate applications and personal statements, which I greatly appreciate. Lastly, the internship has allowed me to build important skills such as researching, collaboration and networking. Overall, it’s a rewarding experience that’s preparing me well for my future career in Communication Sciences and Disorders.”
Throughout the summer we’ll feature more students who are participating in internships.