Externships by Social Studies Major
Anthropology
Amanda Keledjian '08 (Biology/Anthropology); Master of Advanced Study, Marine Biodiversity and Conservation
Company/Location: Oceana, Washington, D.C.
Position Title of Alumnus & Description: Marine Scientist - I work at one of the largest international organizations dedicated to marine conservation, headquartered in Washington, D.C. The organization works on campaigns to promote responsible fishing, end seafood fraud, stop offshore drilling, promote alternative energy, and conserve marine wildlife. As a marine scientist working in the policy arena, my portfolio includes protected species (marine mammals, turtles, sharks) and the bycatch of this wildlife during fishing activities.
Length of Stay & Dates Available: 5 days, Flexible at this time
Housing Available? If yes, where?: Yes, alumnus' home
What will you get from this externship: By spending time at Oceana, an extern would learn about conservation policy and how science informs decision-making at the national level. We work on interdisciplinary teams that include attorneys, lobbyists, marketing and communications staff, and scientists, and students would have the opportunity to learn and interact with all of these departments. Specific topics could include international fisheries management, the impacts of human activities on marine wildlife, and the economics of conservation. In addition to observing, I would work to give the extern opportunities to produce tangible products from conduct short-term research, blog pieces, and meeting people at similar organizations.
Additional Information: I could put together a great week for a visiting student that would include meeting other Grinnellians and colleagues in the environmental field and walking away with tangible resume-building products.
Erin Marie Williams '00 (Anthropology); M.A., Anthropology – George Washington University; Master's of Philosophy – George Washington University; Ph.D., Hominid Paleobiology – George Washington University
Company/Location: George Washington University, Washington, D.C.
Position Title of Alumnus & Description: National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow - I am a research scientist studying human evolutionary biology, specifically focusing on the biomechanics of making and using Paleolithic tools, and how biomechanical demands may have influenced the evolution of human upper limb anatomy. I gather data on how people move their upper limbs while making and using Paleolithic stone tools and during contemporary activities in a 3-D motion capture laboratory in order to evaluate the role of some of our uniquely human anatomy during these activities.
Length of Stay & Dates Available: 3 days, Flexible
Housing Available? If yes, where?: No, student is responsible for own housing
What will you get from this externship: During the externship I will be bringing in subjects from all over North America (specifically people skilled at replicating early stone tools) to participate in these studies. The extern working with me will be able to initially observe the use of cutting edge motion capture technology (both digital and infrared systems which record at >200Hz) and then receive training to use the equipment him or herself. We may also use high speed pressure-sensing equipment to capture data on manual pressure distributions during a variety of activities, in which case the extern would also be trained on that equipment, as well. We will discuss how to conduct scientific investigations, starting with the formation of a question, on to project and protocol development, data collection, interpretation and publication.
Economics
Brigham Hoegh '08 (Math/Economics)
Company/Location: Nationwide Insurance, Des Moines, IA
Position Title of Alumni & Description: (this externship is split between three alumni)
Brigham Hoegh '08 - Senior Product Analyst - keeps motorcycle insurance competitive by monitoring the marketplace and serving as a go-between for sales, marketing, and pricing departments.
Rick Osborn '95 - Associate Vice President for Personal Lines Insurance - oversees actuarial departments working on home and auto insurance.
Dolph Robb '01 - Director of Commercial Research and Development -Actuarial research area focuses on business insurance.
Length of Stay & Dates Available: 3 days, March 24-March 29
Housing Available? If yes, where?: Yes, at Brigham's home
What will you get from this externship: By spending time at Nationwide, the extern will learn about a few of the possible career paths actuaries can take. He/She will also get a feel for what it is like to work at a very large company.
Education
Ruth Young '88 (Philosophy/Education); M.A., Inner City Education & M.A., English Language Learners
Company/Location: District 65 Public Schools, Evanston, IL
Position Title of Alumna & Description: Fourth Grade Teacher - I teach fourth grade to a diverse group of learners from 9:00-3:35 and then to ELL (predominantly Hispanic) children from 3:35-4:35.
Length of Stay & Dates Available: 5 days, flexible
Housing Available? If yes, where?: Yes, alumnus' home
What will you get from this externship: The student will observe the rigors, joys and challenges of teaching in a public school setting. The student will also observe the amount of planning required to make a day run smoothly outside of working hours.
Additional Information: The student will be able to get to downtown Chicago readily, as I live right by the public trains here.
David Morris '92 (English/Education); & M.B.A. - The Wharton School
Company/Location: nCourt, LLC, Woodstock, GA
Position Title of Alumnus & Description: CEO - I run a government ecommerce company growing revenue 40% annually.
Length of Stay & Dates Available: 5 days, flexible.
Housing Available? If yes, where?: Yes, David will pay for a local hotel for the student
What will you get from this externship: The student will gain an appreciation for how a high-growth late startup phase company operates and handles the challenges of high growth, and will be able to see all aspects of a young, vibrant company.
Additional Information: The student will need to arrange transportation to and from the externship site.
History
Robert Meyer '79 (History); J.D. & LL.M., Taxation – University of Miami
Company/Location: Robert C. Meyer P.A., Miami, FL
Position Title of Alumnus & Description: President – Litigation attorney
Length of Stay & Dates Available: 3 days, Flexible
Housing Available? If yes, where?: Yes, alumnus' home
What will you get from this externship: Experience in the courtroom.
Jed Melnick '94 (History); J.D. – Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University
Company/Location: Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services (JAMS), Philadelphia, PA
Position Title of Alumnus & Description: Panelist - I am a mediator working on corporate matters, securities class actions and other complex commercial cases.
Length of Stay & Dates Available: 3-5 days, March 18-22
Housing Available? If yes, where?: Yes, at either a friend of the alumnus or a hotel that the alumnus will fund
What will you get from this externship: By spending time working on mediation the student will learn more about mediation and alternative dispute resolution as well as litigation and how sophisticated counsel negotiate and argue complex legal issues.
Additional Information: Will likely be shadowing the alumnus in New York City, but it depends on the number of mediations scheduled for the externship week. Additionally, student needs to be prepared to dress in business formal attire.
Kirpal Singh '97 (History/Environment Studies); J.D. - University of Denver Sturm College of Law
Company/Location: Colorado Trial Association, Denver, CO
Position Title of Alumnus & Description: Director of Legislative Affairs - Manage the political and electoral work and conduct research on a variety of legal issues for this specialty bar association.
Length of Stay & Dates Available: 5 days, Flexible
Housing Available? If yes, where?: Maybe, alumnus' home
What will you get from this externship: The hope is that the extern can learn the ins and outs of a membership association with a robust political/electoral program, as well as a significant educational and social component. The Colorado General Assembly will be in session and the extern will assist me and our lobbyists with research requests as well as shadow us at the Capitol. I hope to give the extern a good sense of the political world at the state level in what has been characterized as a purple state.
Additional Information: Extern needs to read the book The Blueprint by Adam Schrager and Rob Witwer prior to the start of the externship. http://www.amazon.com/Blueprint-Democrats-Colorado-Republicans-Everywhere/dp/1936218003
John Wylie '75 (History/Political Science)
Company/Location: Oologah Lake Leader/Wylie Communications Inc., Oologah, OK
Position Title of Alumnus & Description: Publisher and Editor/President and CEO - We operate two businesses, both with national footprints, from the small town of Oologah, OK. The Oologah Lake Leader is the state's most honored community newspaper, but we do investigative work that picks up on the national work as well. Wylie Communications Inc. is a crisis communications, public relations, political consulting and advertising firm with a national clientele. During the time in question, we will be working primarily on political and public issues for clients that include a high profile District Attorney and a committee working to extend a public infrastructure tax for one of the state's largest counties at a time when even tax extensions are faring very poorly with voters. I also am the public information officer for a regional, taxpayer subsidized ALS ambulance service. Most of what I handle involves public policy and medical financing issues rather than emergency calls. The problems we face at OTEMS provide a microcosm of the problems involved in health care reform and deficit/cost reduction vs. quality of patient care at the state and federal level.
Length of Stay & Dates Available: 5 days, Flexible
Housing Available? If yes, where?: Yes, alumnus' home
What will you get from this externship: Since my wife and I own the newspaper and WCI and will be offering the student a home experience, he or she will be able to observe and participate in almost every aspect of the community news, investigative reporting and online information fields, as well as all aspects of communications and political strategy development at WCI. OTEMS is dealing with financial issues, trying to deal with reduced income without harming patient care or response times, and also is developing its brand (the service is young by ambulance standards, less than a decade old) and working on patron membership programs to increase revenues.
Additional Information: A student would have complete access to all our work, and might have an opportunity to do research on one or more projects while here. An extern several years ago was interested in print journalism and wanted to have one or more published stories. She did very well and did some work for us from her home in China post-externship. She now works for a major newspaper in China after earning her master's degree in journalism at the University of Missouri.
Ariane DeLong '89 (History/Russian Language); M.B.A. – Emory University
Company/Location: Wesley Woods, Atlanta, GA
Position Title of Alumnus & Description: Marketing & Community Relations Coordinator - Briefly, I am responsible for all marketing materials, website, social media and PR for our non-profit organization that provides housing, skilled nursing and healthcare for older adults of all income levels across North Georgia.
Length of Stay & Dates Available: 3-5 days, March 18-22
Housing Available? If yes, where?: Yes, alumnus' home
What will you get from this externship: The student will become familiar with the fundraising department of a large established non-profit and about the geriatric care industry. We have a geriatric hospital, outpatient care clinic, independent living, and skilled nursing facilities on the Emory campus.
Carter Newton '77 (History)
Company/Location: Galena Gazette, Galena, IL
Position Title of Alumnus & Description: Publisher/President - I am the owner and publisher of The Galena Gazette, a community weekly newspaper located in Galena. The focus of The Gazette is the western half of Jo Daviess County. My position involves keeping the organization focused on its goals, working with customers, as well as writing columns, features and stories.
Length of Stay & Dates Available: Up to 2 weeks, March 16-30
Housing Available? If yes, where?: Yes, alumnus' home
What will you get from this externship: The opportunity to do many things including, but not limited to: Observe how a newspaper operates in a rural area; Observe the news and advertising gathering functions of the business; Participate in news/advertising gather functions...based upon interest; Assist in covering meetings; Assist in covering community activities; Write content for the newspaper; and Make photos for the newspaper. Students who are willing to dig in, work hard and ask lots of questions excel with this externship opportunity. Plus they have their work in print
Additional Information: If possible, the student should bring a car.
Political Science
Heidi Eggert '95 (Political Science); M.B.A., Marketing, International Business, and Strategy – Northwestern University
Company/Location: Nike, Portland, OR
Position Title of Alumna & Description:. Global Sales Ecommerce Lead - Our group is working to transform the way Nike does business with our 40,000 retailers around the globe. We are rebuilding our Ecommerce platform. My specific role is twofold: [1]to help Nike better understand the needs & preferences of our retailers and sales reps and [2] lead the company in transitioning off of a sales rep-oriented order capture platform and move retailers to new order capture platforms.
Length of Stay & Dates Available: 3 days, flexible
Housing Available? If yes, where?: Yes, alumnus' home
What will you get from this externship: The inside workings of a company the size of Nike. The positives and challenge of working in an innovative, matrix driven organization. The advantages and challenges of global business roles.
Additional Information: We have a three year old daughter and a cat (in case of allergies).
John Wylie '75 (History/Political Science)
Company/Location: Oologah Lake Leader/Wylie Communications Inc., Oologah, OK
Position Title of Alumnus & Description: Publisher and Editor/President and CEO - We operate two businesses, both with national footprints, from the small town of Oologah, OK. The Oologah Lake Leader is the state's most honored community newspaper, but we do investigative work that picks up on the national work as well. Wylie Communications Inc. is a crisis communications, public relations, political consulting and advertising firm with a national clientele. During the time in question, we will be working primarily on political and public issues for clients that include a high profile District Attorney and a committee working to extend a public infrastructure tax for one of the state's largest counties at a time when even tax extensions are faring very poorly with voters. I also am the public information officer for a regional, taxpayer subsidized ALS ambulance service. Most of what I handle involves public policy and medical financing issues rather than emergency calls. The problems we face at OTEMS provide a microcosm of the problems involved in health care reform and deficit/cost reduction vs. quality of patient care at the state and federal level.
Length of Stay & Dates Available: 5 days, Flexible
Housing Available? If yes, where?: Yes, alumnus' home
What will you get from this externship: Since my wife and I own the newspaper and WCI and will be offering the student a home experience, he or she will be able to observe and participate in almost every aspect of the community news, investigative reporting and online information fields, as well as all aspects of communications and political strategy development at WCI. OTEMS is dealing with financial issues, trying to deal with reduced income without harming patient care or response times, and also is developing its brand (the service is young by ambulance standards, less than a decade old) and working on patron membership programs to increase revenues.
Additional Information: A student would have complete access to all our work, and might have an opportunity to do research on one or more projects while here. An extern several years ago was interested in print journalism and wanted to have one or more published stories. She did very well and did some work for us from her home in China post-externship. She now works for a major newspaper in China after earning her master's degree in journalism at the University of Missouri.
Chris Hall '07 (Political Science)
Company/Location: Iowa State Legislature, Des Moines, IA
Position Title of Alumna & Description: State Representative - I serve as a part-time state legislator in the Iowa Capitol from January through the end of April. Because of this, my official residence is Sioux City, Iowa, though it appears that these externships would be offered during the legislative session while I am in Des Moines. My work consists of a variety of public committee meetings, policy discussions, informational presentations related to state interests, budget analysis, legislative debate, and closed door discussions of politics. A day's work in the legislature is often unpredictable and can be very interesting as it coincides with what the average reader might find in the news.
Length of Stay & Dates Available: 3-4 days, March 18-21 OR March 25-28
Housing Available? If yes, where?: Yes, alumnus' home
What will you get from this externship: For any extern that is potentially interested in public policy (not necessarily politics), this might provide some insight into different ways to engage that interest professionally. Our staff at the Capitol include research and legal analysts, caucus staff that prepare legislative briefings, historical staff that preserve documents and artifacts on display, and state departmental staff that specialize in transportation, natural resources and conservation, and many other areas of public policy. Externs interested in a particular area of policy would likely have an opportunity to attend meetings related to that interest, even if I don't necessarily serve on those committees. Similarly, I would be glad to set up meetings for the extern if they have identified particular interests ahead of their visit. There are also many opportunities to engage a student who is interested in politics, or introductions I could facilitate if they're interested in Iowa politics specifically.
Additional Information: If possible, student should bring a car.
Serina Beauparlant '82 (Political Science)
Company/Location: Pearson Education, Burlingame, CA
Position Title of Alumnus & Description: Editor-in-Chief - to determine what kind of educational materials (both print and digital) are needed by college professors and students in anatomy and physiology and microbiology, find the authors to author those products, work with our editorial and media team to help bring those products to market, to manage and mentor other acquisitions editors
Length of Stay & Dates Available: 4 days, March 18-22
Housing Available? If yes, where?: Yes, alumnus' home
What will you get from this externship: The extern will learn the day-to-day work of an acquisitions editor including how manuscripts and media are developed and reviewed, the roles of various members of the team, how marketing decisions are made, etc.
Sociology
Alex Johnson-Jimenez '94, (Sociology/Art)
Company/Location: Albuquerque Public Schools, East San Jose Elementary, Albuquerque, NM
Position Title of Alumna & Description: 3rd Grade Teacher - I teach 3rd grade at a bilingual (Spanish/English) public elementary school. I teach in a 50/50 classroom (50% Spanish and 50% English) and I teach all subjects. We recently adopted the Common Core State Standards.
Length of Stay & Dates Available: 5 days, after March 20th
Housing Available? If yes, where?: No, student is responsible for own housing
What will you get from this externship: The extern will observe in my classroom, run small groups, participate in lesson planning, and learn about Guided Language Acquisition Design, a teaching model to enhance language acquisition for second language learners. The extern could also observe and participate in other classes depending on his or her interests (technology classes, art, music, after-school programs, etc.).
Shelley Aggeler Harper '87 (Sociology); M.S.W. with clinical emphasis – University of Kansas; M.S., Information Studies – University of Texas - Austin
Company/Location: Pikes Peak Community College, Colorado Springs, CO
Position Title of Alumnus & Description: Reference Librarian & Adjunct Instructor - I provide information literacy instruction to students at the reference desk in the library, in classrooms, and by consultation. I am the liaison to the Social Science departments at the college, and I purchase Social Science materials for the library. I create handouts, videos, and presentations, and I am working on a formal research/assessment project with a scholar from UNC - Chapel Hills. Finally, I am the President of the Colorado Academic Library Association, and will be coordinating 4 regional workshops in the Spring - dates undetermined as yet.
Length of Stay & Dates Available: 5 days, March 18-22
Housing Available? If yes, where?: Yes, alumnus' home
What will you get from this externship: The extern will observe the variety of tasks done by reference librarians, and he or she will see the ʺbehind the scenesʺ preparation that makes doing all of those tasks possible. Reference librarians engage with library colleagues, faculty, administrators, students, and state-wide educational leaders. The extern could take part in a research project team meeting, a Colorado Academic Library Association Board meeting, a Colorado Association of Libraries Board meeting, a regional workshop, or a state curriculum committee meeting at which I and my Library Director will defend a request for a new Information Literacy discipline and course.
Additional Information: We have two cats.
Matthew Johnson '08 (Math/Sociology)
Company/Location: ISSI: Data, Analytics, Strategy, Minneapolis, MN
Position Title of Alumnus & Description: Data & Targeting Director - I work as the data and targeting director for two coalitions of progressive nonprofits across Minnesota. I guide and assist nonprofits in the political outreach in the state. Working with both partisan and nonpartisan groups, I help groups do advocacy, political outreach, lobbying, grassroots organizing, political targeting, and campaign strategy. I do political consulting, with a focus on data-driven decisions. I work closely with a wide-range of groups, ranging from ʺpolitical attack dogsʺ and labor unions to neighborhood community centers and environmental organizations.
Length of Stay & Dates Available: 5 days, March 25-29
Housing Available? If yes, where?: Yes, alumnus' home
What will you get from this externship: By spending time in our office, the extern would meet with political workers and leaders in the Twin Cities and learn about their job and work. The extern would learn about the behind-the-scenes work that goes into modern politics, and non-profit roles in politics during the state legislative session. There would also be training courses for the student where they would learn basic campaign strategy and campaign finance laws, as well as partisan and nonpartisan political action. During their time in the office, they would work on data resources, and look at registration numbers across the state. They would become familiar with the Census database, voter registration records, and modeling data as they compile a report about Minnesota.
Cristy Costello '86 (Sociology)
Company/Location: Sierra Club, Nokomis, FL
Position Title of Alumnus & Description: Regional Organizing Representative - I have been a Regional Organizing Representative for the Sierra Club since May 2007. In my current position I coordinate the Water Sentinels – Protecting Florida's Waters Campaign to prevent harmful algal blooms in both coastal and inland waters by eliminating point and non-point sources of nutrient pollution; a sub-campaign of the Greater Everglades Ecosystem Resilient Habitat Campaign. During my five plus years with the Campaign I have mobilized concerned citizens, local governments, civic organizations, homeowner associations, waterfront businesses, religious institutions and partner environmental organizations around the following issues: Local urban fertilizer management administrative policies and ordinances; State-level urban fertilizer management administrative policies; Local control versus state preemption of urban fertilizer regulation; Numeric nutrient criteria for Florida's fresh and estuarine waters; and Water quality monitoring. I am also on the Citizens Advisory Council of the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program.
Length of Stay & Dates Available: 5 days, Flexible
Housing Available? If yes, where?: Yes, alumnus' home
What will you get from this externship: By spending time with a conservation organizer during the Florida legislative session the extern will have the opportunity to watch and even be actively engaged in lobbying, grassroots and grasstops mobilization, and online organizing. Issues related to water quality in Florida are similar to water quality issues around the country and world; nutrient pollution is this nation's greatest threat to quality water resources.
Ellen Gallagher '03 - externship suspended
