For countless Towson residents, the first summer internship was their first step into the professional world and the beginning of a roadmap that would define their career aspirations.
The value of college internships cannot be underestimated. According to survey data collected by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, over 60% of students graduating in 2023 completed an internship during college. In the same survey, 80% employers stated that internships provided the best return on investment as a recruiting strategy, compared to career fairs, on-campus visits, panels or other activities. A well-planned summer internship opportunity can provide practical experience, help build a professional network, identify new career interests, and improve core professional and social skills.
Olivia Webster defines the next generation of Towson’s youth navigating the search for a future career path.
Nineteen-year-old Olivia will be entering her sophomore year at California’s prestigious Stanford University. A Management Science & Engineering Major, Olivia is currently finishing up a summer internship in the office of Councilman Julian Jones. We sat down with Olivia to learn about her internship experience.
So tell us about your freshman year at Stanford. It's a long way from Towson.
Both academically and personally, it was everything I hoped for. Stanford is certainly an international community and I’ve already developed friendships with classmates from Canada and Myanmar.
I was able to get involved with the Stanford Consulting Student Group. The Group works with client companies to provide real world experience in strategic management planning. In my first year, I worked with a San Francisco based tutoring company and a resort company out of North Carolina.
Did you get homesick that first year?
Well, like Dorothy said, “there’s no place like home” and my family were able to come out and visit me so that was really nice and took the chill off being 3,000 miles away.
When you returned to Towson in May, I hear you were recruited by Councilman Jones to be part of his team for the summer?
Yes! It was an honor to play a small part in helping government work for people while allowing me to gain a first hand look on how public policy is managed and implemented. An unforgettable experience seeing democracy work at a grass roots level!
What was a day like in the life of a summer intern in the Councilman’s office?
Well, for the first couple of weeks, it was the staff being patient with me as I was brought up to speed on the basics of the office. But I guess that’s true with any internship.
I think the best way to describe a day is “thinking on your feet to find a solution to a person’s problem.” Most days, it means helping someone navigate a system of government agencies or private sector concerns to find the right solution. I learned to never treat anything as a “small problem” and respect the concerns of everyday people as they look to their government for help.
I also have an arts background and served as a teaching assistant at the Baltimore Chinese School, so I was able to leverage my art skills in designing the Councilman’s newsletter and in formatting some of their social media.
What’s next for Olivia Webster?
In year two in my Stanford journey, I plan to join some of the University investment clubs and prepare for a future internship in the financial sector. There’s also a possible opportunity in the University’s fashion design show. I like to understand both the creative and business aspects of fashion.
Any advice on internships for your peers?
Start planning early. The competition is great for quality and high profile internship opportunities. Decisions are made months before the tour begins. And consider breaking out of your comfort zone. Look for the right opportunity to explore a career you may have never considered before.
Note: As a follow up to the interview with Olivia, Councilman Jones took the time to talk to us about Olivia. Councilman Jones stated:
“Olivia Webster has been an incredible asset to our office, especially in the area of constituent services and helping craft our newsletter. Her professionalism, attention to detail, and strong communication skills has made a real difference in how we connect with the community. Internships like hers are vital for young people—they provide firsthand experience in public service and help develop the skills and confidence needed to lead. Olivia’s future is bright, and I’m proud to have been part of her journey.”
