The intern. The bottom rung on the corporate ladder. Often unpaid, or even paying for the opportunity to work — if they’re lucky enough to afford such an arrangement. May spend an entire summer in a sweltering city far from home, paradoxically shivering in an over-chilled office. Subject to the whims of a tyrannical boss, or worse, relegated to making photocopies and coffee runs.
Or at least, that’s the popular perception.
In the following pages, you will meet eight Kenyon students who are redefining the internship. This summer, these rising juniors and seniors fanned out across the country, clocking in to work in corporate towers, urban gardens and Major League Baseball stadiums. From conducting cutting-edge medical research to curating the world’s top museums, they gained deep knowledge and hands-on experience in the industries they one day hope to shape. They know the importance of learning from their mentors — but also speaking up and having some fun along the way.