Summer is a time of rest and rejuvenation for many Westminster University students and graduates. For others, it’s a time to explore their fields of study through real-world experiences, like internships, jobs, and study away experiences. We talked to three Westminster students and recent graduates who pursued internships around the world this summer to learn more about their experiences.
Zac Levin (’26) is working towards his custom major of sports analytics at Westminster University. Zac worked with two pre-professional sports teams in Portland, Oregon this summer: the Portland Bangers, a USL2 soccer team that competes in the Northwest League, and the Portland Pickles, a pre-professional baseball team. Zac describes his day-to-day schedule at his internship as “ever-changing.”
“With the Bangers, the game days that we had looked pretty stock, getting to the field about 8 hours before kickoff and setting up tents, posters, chairs, and getting the field ready. As soon as it was about 2 hours before kickoff, there was a walk-through that commenced, and then I started my prep work for the news stories. After the game finished up, we would have two hours maximum to clean the field up before the lights went out,” Zac says.
Marketing major Charley Mehney (’26) also learned many different skills at his internship with Matachana Group. Based in Barcelona, Spain, Matachana group is a global leader in sterilization and infection control solutions. Charley worked with the team in Barcelona in developing a U.S. market strategy for a new class 2 medical device, collaborating with different departments, attending strategy meetings, conducting market research and competitor analysis, and more. His days kept him busy, but he learned important takeaways for his future career.
“I learned how to translate complex technical information into strategic marketing plans that resonate with target audiences. I also gained first-hand experience in international business operations and cross-cultural collaboration,” he says.
Karlie Galloway (’25) recently graduated with a custom major in holistic wellness and spent this summer as an intern for Housing Connect, which is partnered with AmeriCorps to help connect families with affordable housing in Salt Lake County. Karlie worked as a financial coach and employment specialist, which involved meeting with clients individually and in groups to conduct professional development workshops, share educational resources, and to help clients set financial goals. While Karlie learned about the internship on her own, she found help through her Westminster peer mentor, who encouraged her to apply, and the staff at the Career Center, who helped her with her resume and application.
Reflecting on her Westminster experience, Karlie shared that the time she spent inside the classroom was just as important as the time she spent outside of it– She encourages students to make their Westminster experience their own.
“Westminster is what you make of it. If you dive in and experience Westminster outside of class as much as inside of it, you’ll learn people skills and life skills that go a long way. Westminster’s a great environment because everyone I’ve met is so excited about what they’re learning and passionate about what they’re doing. Class is always in session–and if you go to Westminster with that mentality, it will take you far.”
To learn more about internship opportunities, visit the Career Center.
