UMass Chan Medical School provides opportunities through the Emerging Professionals Summer Internship Program for undergraduate students and recent grads seeking careers in health and science fields. The annual 10-week program hosted by the Diversity and Inclusion Office supports students from groups historically marginalized in STEM, health sciences and medicine through mentorship and hands-on experiences. It is designed to provide students with opportunities to explore potential administrative careers in an academic health science center. Ten students participated this summer.
“It’s been interesting to work in a 9-to-5 kind of situation. I’ve never had that experience before; this is my first internship, and everybody is so nice. Also, the professional development lunches have been really helpful. Overall, it’s a great program,” said intern Tionge Nakazwe, a rising junior at Worcester Polytechnic Institute studying environmental and sustainability studies with the goal of pursuing a career in sustainable development. She interned in the Office of Sustainability, where she assessed the energy usage of minus 80 deep freezers and researched sustainable alternatives to Styrofoam products.
Nakazwe liked the mentorship aspect of the program, working closely with Associate Director of Sustainability and Campus Services Suzanne Wood and Sustainability & Energy Engineer Kortni Wroten. She said their guidance extended beyond industry advice and career aspects; they also took a genuine interest in her well-being, interests and hobbies.
Sammie Doxsey, a 2023 graduate of Clark University who majored in screen studies, worked in the RNA Therapeutics Institute. She enjoyed the practical hands-on aspect of her internship and networking opportunities.
“In June, my department hosted a three-day symposium in the Albert Sherman Center. It was a fast-paced event with hundreds of people attending. I was responsible for media coverage, taking pictures, recording videos and conducting video interviews. It was challenging but also very rewarding,” Doxsey said.
2023 Emerging Professionals summer interns
Darren Agyeman, Berry College, Office of Communications
Youseff Benchikhi, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Solutions Engineering - ForHealth Consulting at UMass Chan Medical School
Aliesha Campbell, Clark University, Diversity and Inclusion Office
Fatimah Daffaie, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, RNA Therapeutics Institute
Sammie Doxsey, Clark University, RNA Therapeutics Institute
Kavya Mani, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Work Without Limits – ForHealth Consulting at UMass Chan Medical School
Juanita Muragori, UMass Lowell, Office of Community & Government Relations
Tionge Nakazwe, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Office of Sustainability, Facilities Management
Denzel Ohene Sakyi, UMass Lowell, Information Technology
Mirabella Paolucci, UMass Amherst, Department of Family Medicine & Community Health
