WASHINGTON, PA (Feb. 12, 2019)—For Washington & Jefferson College junior Samara Wendel, keeping a full schedule is second nature. The financial economics major and Chinese and accounting minor adds another engagement to that schedule this summer, when she will intern with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).
W&J’s Career Services resources helped Samara to find and land the internship. After Director of Career Services Roberta Cross encouraged her to join W&J’s online job search platform, which connects students and alumni with internship and employment opportunities, Samara received an email alert from the service about the FDIC internship. She had set a personal goal for herself to complete an internship the summer following her junior year and was excited about the possibility.
At the time, she was completing a semester abroad in Ireland at University College Cork where she studied economics, Chinese, history and English, but she didn’t let the time difference stop her from pursuing the opportunity with the FDIC. She completed a phone interview with the agency while in Ireland and, in January she received the news she’d been waiting for.
“I’m excited to spend the whole summer working with the FDIC,” Samara said. “I’m ready to see the different aspects of working in an economics environment and learn more about the field to help me determine what I want to do after graduation.”
W&J has been full of learning opportunities for Samara. She initially considered majoring in business when she came to the College, but after taking a class with Associate Professor of Economics Robert Dunn, Ph.D., she discovered a passion for economics that was supported by Dr. Dunn and other faculty members.
As she became more involved with her Chinese studies, she completed a Magellan Project in China. The following summer she combined her interest in business and China and completed a six-week internship as part of the implementation phase of Luce Initiative on Asian Studies and the Environment (LIASE) program grant, through which students are able to complete educational projects. Samara is currently working with Professor of Environmental Studies Robert East, Ph.D. and Professor of Biology James March, Ph.D. on a presentation about the work they completed in China for a conference at Vassar College.
“I’ve had so many good experiences because of W&J,” Samara said. “There’s so much the College has to offer, and I want to take advantage of everything while I’m here.”
About Washington & Jefferson College
Washington & Jefferson College, located in Washington, Pa., is a selective liberal arts college founded in 1781. Committed to providing each of its students with the highest-quality undergraduate education available, W&J offers a traditional arts and sciences curriculum emphasizing interdisciplinary study and independent study work. For more information about W&J, visit washjeff.dev, or call 888-W-AND-JAY.
