Students grasp opportunities to jump-start careers before graduation
When Hayley Yukihiro (’22) became a roller coaster design intern at Disney Imagineering in Florida during her junior year at Liberty University, she hoped the experience would lead to a full-time position. Her dream came true. She is now a control engineer in Disney’s global engineering technology group at Disneyland Resort in California, where she works on hardware and software for roller coaster design and refurbishment.
Like Yukihiro, many Liberty students are gaining work-based learning opportunities while pursuing their degree and fostering valuable connections for their future careers. Liberty values traditional course instruction but also focuses on early career preparation across all degree programs, encouraging students to engage in the age-old apprenticeship model outside the classroom. Many degree programs require an internship or work-based project so students can cultivate professional growth and network while building confidence as they prepare to enter the workforce.
Hayley Yukihiro (’22), Disneyland Resort
According to a national study by the Strada Education Foundation, 80 percent of undergraduate seniors who participated in an internship reported increased confidence when talking to potential employers. Students who had completed a paid internship during their undergraduate studies were earning $3,000 more a year after graduation than those who had not, and graduates from the past 20 years who completed internships reported higher overall income and more satisfaction in their careers and in their education.
“Work-based learning and internships take our students from qualified candidates to competitive candidates as they learn practical skills,” said Sarah Fendrich, assistant director of career coaching for Liberty’s Career Services office. She cited the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) 2024 Job Outlook survey, which shows that the top deciding factor for an employer when considering two equally qualified candidates for the same job was whether they had completed an internship or other work-based learning experience in their field.
“When a student has an opportunity to learn alongside seasoned workers, either through an internship or practicum, they shorten the time period of theory to practice because they are able to observe others, applying lessons learned over years of experience,” Fendrich said. “Internships, practical experiences, and shadowing provide our students with opportunities to augment excellent academics with practical application of theory.”
Yukihiro, who studied electrical engineering and computer science software engineering at Liberty, worked as a control systems hardware engineer intern on the TRON Lightcycle Power Run roller coaster attraction in the Magic Kingdom. The experience helped her realize the skills she had — and the skills she needed.
“(Disney staff) were able to help me learn while I was working, so it was really nice to have an internship where they knew I had the base skills but also knew I knew nothing,” she said. “It was great being able to own my work but also learn as I’m working.”
Realizing the job search in itself can be a roller coaster ride, Yukihiro sought assistance from Liberty’s Career Services to fine-tune her résumé and application.
“They had someone who helped out with engineering résumés who was able to help me simplify it down and make it show my work better.”
Out and About
Braeden Boerger, Capitol Hill
The university has developed unique programs to help students find valuable work-based learning opportunities. Through the Washington Fellowship, which partners with multiple organizations across Washington, D.C., students live in historical downtown housing as they work and experience life in the nation’s capital. Last semester, students worked for congressional offices, the Religious Freedom Institute, House Committee on Administration, National Center on Sexual Exploitation, Assuaged Foundation, The McKeon Group, the U.S. Marshals Service, and more.
Braeden Boerger, a sophomore studying electrical engineering and pre-law, was a legislative intern for the office of Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan. During his time in Washington, he networked with a variety of individuals.
“I ran into the lobbyists for ConocoPhillips and was able to discuss an internship opportunity next summer,” he said. “This experience prepared me for a career by helping me dive into the thick of being in D.C. and understanding what my future could look like.”
The School of Health Sciences’ Department of Allied Health Professions and Department of Public Health offer trips for students to gain hands-on clinical experience abroad along with mission opportunities. Last year, they traveled to Spain, Guatemala, and Honduras. In the U.S., a partnership between the School of Health Sciences and Johns Hopkins University is allowing Master of Public Health students to apply for a competitive fellowship at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine to conduct research on healthcare policy.
Ethan Carlile (left) with Dr. Jeremy Rotty at Uniformed Services University (Photo courtesy of Uniformed Services University)
Undergraduate students from the Department of Biology & Chemistry can spend their summers learning the practices of a research lab environment. At Uniformed Services University, senior Ethan Carlile investigated microglial cells, crucial players in the brain’s immune response and overall neurological health. At the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, senior Brooke Chapple contributed to a pivotal study examining the influence of endocannabinoid receptors on the clinical progression of HIV infections. And at Johns Hopkins, senior Oluwakonyinsola Adebayo participated in studies on neurodegenerative diseases, specifically Alzheimer’s and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
Grace Love (’24), Running Wild Cheetah Conservation
Sometimes, internships not only take students around the nation but to other continents as well. Grace Love (’24), who graduated in the fall with a bachelor’s degree in zoo and wildlife biology, traveled deep into the forests near the Magaliesberg mountain range of South Africa last summer for an internship with Running Wild Cheetah Conservation. She worked with cheetahs, servals, meerkats, lions, and other local wildlife. The experience not only helped narrow her career focus and develop her passion for working with large cats, but it also increased her confidence in approaching future employers.
“When I go to interview for future full-time jobs, I’ll actually be prepared as to what the animals are like, what they’re going to do around me, and how to act around them, which is very helpful,” Love said.
Also last summer, Sarah Robosky, a senior studying hospitality management under the School of Business, learned the Forbes requirements for the food and beverage industry while interning at the prestigious Biltmore mansion’s four-star hotel, The Inn on Biltmore Estate, in Asheville, N.C. She worked on corporate and wedding events.
“I’m very grateful that I had this experience to learn and realize the very difficult and insane detail and coordination that goes into (this industry), and how influential food is and how it can completely change the atmosphere or culture of an event,” she said.
Sarah Robosky, The Inn on Biltmore Estate
Engineering Their Futures
Partnerships between Liberty and leading companies have been key to student success. School of Engineering seniors are working with well-known companies and organizations for their Capstone course. This year, sponsors include BWXT, Framatome, Centra Health, Delta Star, Textron, NAVAIR (Navy’s Fleet Readiness Center East), McKee Foods Corporation, and more. Four senior mechanical engineering students are helping Framatome, an international leader in nuclear energy whose North America headquarters is based in Lynchburg, to develop a scaled educational model of a Sodium Fast Reactor’s Fuel Handling Machine.
Josh Clayton, a mechanical engineering graduate student, is also working with Framatome, conducting fatigue testing to enhance reliability of nuclear subsystems. His work is supported by the National Science Foundation’s Non-Academic Research Internships for Graduate Students (INTERN) program that gives students industrial experience before they graduate.
Mechanical engineering graduate student Josh Clayton works on a project for Framatome, a leader in nuclear energy, with a grant provided by the National Science Foundation.
Meanwhile, engineering Ph.D. students are working under the supervision of Wayne Strasser, Ph.D., P.E. in his research group F.L.U.I.D. (Flow at Liberty University for Innovation & Design). Their work is fully funded by research grants through outside companies. Elijah Yoder (’22) is under contract with Tasnee, a Saudi Arabian company doing chemical reactor design; Ryan Learn (’24) is working on a different reactor design for Westlake; and Robert Kacinski (’21) is working with medical device manufacturer Vapotherm on a nasal cannula that eliminates CO2 from a patient’s airway.
“It is very important for our students to learn real-world engineering problems and how to find solutions to those problems before they go out and get into the industry as engineers,” said Department Chair of Mechanical Engineering Dr. Howie Fang. “Then, they are prepared and comfortable applying what they have learned in the classroom to real-life engineering challenges in their new jobs.”
Engineering students also completed internships last year with various companies and laboratories. Senior Cameron Zuverink was an intern with the Michigan Department of Transportation.
“I was able to work on my own and go into work each morning knowing exactly what I had to do. I was given responsibility, and it wasn’t just me shadowing and assisting a full-time employee,” he said. “I was able to meaningfully contribute to the project and feel useful, which made for a great experience.”
Senior Emma Detwiler, a member of Associate Professor of Civil Engineering Dr. Kalehiwot Nega Manahiloh’s research group, conducted research on amending clay with Biochar, a carbon-rich material produced naturally by wildfires, that could enhance the engineering properties of weak soil and offer environmental benefits.
“Before securing this internship, I had no clear plans for the summer or my career path post-graduation,” she said. “Through this opportunity, I discovered a genuine interest in geotechnical work, which has helped clarify my career goals and direction. Grateful for God’s provisions and guidance, I’ve grown confident with my marketable hands-on skills and plan to pursue a future in geotechnical engineering.”
Called to Create
Liberty encourages its students to use their creative talents and interests to secure paid professional opportunities that will launch their careers.
Junior graphic design student Caroline Danforth completed a fashion design internship with Ivy City Co., a fashion retailer in Utah. The company valued her work so much that they offered her a position before she even graduated, and Danforth now works there as a full-time fashion designer while finishing her degree online.
“I’ve been given a lot of responsibility at the company, and that’s really pushed me both professionally and personally,” she said.
Several School of Music students worked last summer in Speculator, N.Y., where they led worship and performed concerts, chamber music, and weekly recitals for over 8,000 campers at CAMP-of-the-WOODS.
Directed by School of Music faculty Dr. Zachary Bruno, 11 students and alumni traveled to New York to perform with the Adirondack Performing Arts Festival last summer.
Students with Liberty Broadcast Experience (LBX) also worked as paid professionals during their Spring Break at the 2024 CUSA Men’s Basketball Championships in Huntsville, Ala., by running cameras, sound, and graphics as the TV packager for ESPN+.
“I enjoyed working the tournament and learning some new things,” said camera operator Christopher Kirby, a senior studying video production. “It was a marathon and not a sprint with 12 games, but it was a lot of fun, and I’d definitely say we sharpened our skills as the week went on.”
Last year, LBX produced 224 sports broadcasts, from hockey games to NCAA Division I football, and over 1,000 other on-campus events with the help of its 2,200 student crew members.
Emily Hahn works with the LBX crew to broadcast the 2024 CUSA Basketball Championships in Huntsville, Ala., last March.
Additionally, students in Liberty’s sport management programs completed internships for sports teams and companies, including the Washington Nationals, Durham Bulls (minor league baseball), Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Jackals (Major League Rugby), NASCAR, and more.
“It’s a stepping stone for players trying to get into the elite and professional levels,” senior Andrea Marcella said about her internship with the Office of the President of the United Shore Professional Baseball League in Utica, Mich. “I had a really great experience. My role was helping out with game-day functions. I love the daily operations and event management interacting with fans of all ages.”
Local to Global Connections
The John W. Rawlings School of Divinity connects its students with professional opportunities in ministry through the Pulpit Supply Program, which currently works with over 20 area churches and over 40 student-pastors. Churches can contact the School of Divinity to set up a rotating schedule of student-pastors who visit the congregations and preach for Sunday services.
Through a new partnership with the School of Education and Lynchburg City Schools, Liberty education students are taking part in the LCS “All-In” Tutoring Initiative for third through eighth graders, gaining early experience in the classroom prior to their required student-teaching assignments. Students can assist with recess monitoring, act as lunch buddies, aid special education students, and lend faculty/staff support as needed.
“More than anything else, it’s a way for them to use the skills and get into those buildings and see what it’s like if they haven’t had much experience (in a school),” said School of Education Dean Dr. Don Raleigh. “They can give back and use the skills they have in their learning and apply them in one-on-one tutoring.”
In the Helms School of Government’s new Jack Brewer Foundation (JBF) Fellowship Program on Biblical Justice, criminal justice students are performing a secondary analysis of JBF’s case management systems to show how faith-based reentry programs (services that help inmates transition from jail or prison to life in the community) have a higher success rate than their secular counterparts. Students are collecting and analyzing data on the criminal and family history of inmates in Florida and surrounding southern states. They examine inmates’ education levels, drug use, and other statistics before creating a comprehensive report demonstrating that faith-based approaches to inmate reentry result in lower recidivism rates. The students also participate in field research missions and visit prisons and inmates in Florida.
Jack Brewer leads a breakout session during the 2022 CEO Summit. (Photo by Matt Reynolds)
Under the Liberty University Analytical Support Initiative (LASI), other students are gaining skills on major national security projects in an ongoing collaboration with NATO and national agencies. In December 2023, the team traveled to Lithuania to meet with U.S. diplomats and present in front of NATO officials, and this past December, students visited Rome to brief the NATO Centre of Excellence for Security Force Assistance on projects designed to enhance the capacity of NATO Security Force Assistance advisors and facilitate peaceful resolution of conflicts in the regions of the world where they are deployed.
President Costin attends LASI team briefings. In this photo we have the team that went over to Lithuania to brief NATO, Dr. Hicks, Professor Scott Roenicke, and his guest Admiral Jamie Foggo. (Photo by: Titus Pettman)
Meeting and Greeting
To ensure students have ample opportunities to network with potential employers, Liberty Career Services hosts 14 industry-based career fairs each academic year, where well-known companies — like Mayo Clinic, Coca-Cola, Boeing, Ernst & Young, Samaritan’s Purse, Cleveland Clinic, Hendrick Motorsports, Geico, American Airlines, and more — can recruit Liberty students for internships and jobs. During the Fall 2024 semester, 542 companies and organizations attended career fairs at Liberty. Already this semester, Liberty has held a Business & Engineering Career Fair and Nursing & Healthcare Career Fair. An Education Career Fair is planned for Feb. 18, followed by the LU Expo on March 4, Law Enforcement & Government Career Fair on March 25, Virtual Career Fair on April 8, and an Aeronautics Career Fair on April 15.
The Aeronautics Career Fair in October was one of 14 career fairs planned at Liberty for the 2024-25 academic year.
Career Services staff provide tailored resources for online students and work with residential students in refining résumés, conducting mock interviews, and identifying volunteer, job shadowing, and internship opportunities to help them meet their career goals. The staff manages Liberty’s job board, Handshake, which currently has over 35,000 potential internship and job listings for students to browse. Students can also find micro-internships and short-term work experiences on the Parker Dewey platform, which features opportunities across the U.S., from Fortune 100 companies to emerging startups.
Through the office’s Career Discovery program, students can take a career assessment to narrow their focus and develop a strategic plan with career coaches, trained individuals who carry a depth of industry experience and stand ready to help students navigate the process and identify God-given strengths.
“We always ask ourselves, ‘Where are these students going, and what do they want to do?’ so we can tailor their strategy to the kinds of internships that will set them up for their careers,” Fendrich said. “It’s all about helping our students think strategically and start networking to foster the right connections. That’s how we build Champions for Christ through work-based learning.”
Experienced coaches through Liberty Career Services stand ready to help students follow their callings and navigate their journey to employment.
