Internships

Joining the Jurisprudence Learning Community fine-tuned Cameron Chambers’s career path.

George Mason University Environmental Science and Policy major Melanie Medrano has long aspired to work in the federal government, ideally on the front lines of creating meaningful environmental change. She took a major step toward that goal by starting an internship with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS, where she will assist in their communication efforts through December 2025.

This is the first of a three-part series about George Mason University’s role as the NoVa Node headquarters of the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI), Virginia’s main access point for workforce development, cybersecurity innovation, and research.

When George Mason University 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.

Kalei Marantan was the Newscasting Intern at FOX 5 WTTG in Bethesda.

From improving underserved communities’ care to supporting faculty research on women living with HIV, Janell Addo-Boateng, MPH ’25, gained hands-on experience in policy, evaluation, and communication.

With the support of Schar School connections, senior Sharanya Maddukuri landed two career-defining internships this past spring and summer.

Growing up in Winchester, Virginia, Jordan Edlich would often visit Blandy Experimental Farm on field trips as a child. Now a graduate student in environmental science and policy at George Mason, Edlich just spent a summer interning at the farm cataloging native plants.

When cyber security engineering major Connor Wadlin learned about ransomware attacks on organizations, such as the one on the Health Service Executive in Ireland, in his CYSE 445 System Security and Resilience class, it confirmed his commitment to dedicating his educational and professional career to protecting and preserving human lives.

For George Mason University sophomore Nathan Ferraro, summer hasn’t been about taking a break—it’s been about chasing his dream job.