Friday, November 16, 2012
While classmates were enjoying the start of summer break a few months ago, three Biotechnology students from the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center were starting their internships at Youngstown State University and gaining valuable experience in their career fields.
Darian Wilson from Boardman, Cheryl Reve and Acealeyah Dothard from Campbell each completed internships in YSU’s physics, chemistry and biology departments respectively during their summer break.
The students were able to assist the professors and graduate and undergraduate students with research projects in each of their areas of studies. Wilson, who interned with the physics department, tested the currents and voltage of metal conductors, while Reve, who interned with the chemistry department, assisted the department in its study of crystal absorption.
The summer internships were part of a grant that YSU’s Chemistry Department received from the American Chemical Society.
“I wish I could do it again,” Dothard said of her experience working in the biology department. “It was a great hand-on experience and something that I want to do when I get older.”
During her internship, Dothard was able to assist the staff and students with their study into methods for preventing hernias from forming at a surgical site.
Each of the students interned in their labs five days a week from June through August.
“For me, this was a chance to experience what college life is like,” Wilson said.
“We were able to be in the professions we want to pursue,” added Reve.