Connecting students with quality internships in the Lehigh Valley

By Kelly Huth

Students who spend their school breaks in an internship related to their field of study gain practical experience, a glimpse into what a potential job would be like, and have a competitive edge over other applicants when it’s time to apply for their first job.

Madelyn Amadio ’25 and Jeanne Reilly, education consultant-LVHN, are pictured at the Lehigh Valley Internship Summit.

Holly Akers, associate director of employee relations and outreach for Gateway Career Center, understands the value that internships bring to employers as well. Quality internships provide talented workers and spark a connection with future employees.

Akers facilitated a discussion in July at the Lehigh Valley Internship Summit, hosted by the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. Her message focused on mentorship and its importance as part of successful internship experience and retention.

She was joined by Madelyn Amadio ’25, who was featured in a panel discussion with interns and local employers around meaningful work and mentorship. Amadio spent the summer in a Research Scholar internship at Lehigh Valley Health Network.

“The Gateway Career Center works diligently in connecting the students of Lafayette with our regional employers for internships and entry-level career opportunities,” Akers says. “The Lehigh Valley region is the home to many incredible companies and organizations that provide meaningful and lasting opportunities for our students. Students who find fulfilling careers in the Lehigh Valley region positively contribute to the economic strength of our community as well as finding benefit in their own personal lives.”   

Amadio was just one of many Lafayette students who spent their break working and learning at a local Lehigh Valley company. 

Akers notes Gateway Career Center facilitated summer internships or January externships with more than a dozen Lehigh Valley companies, including:

• ABEC
• Air Products
• Brenntag
• City Center Allentown
• CryoConcepts
• Greater Easton Development Partnership (GEDP)
• Lamtec Corp.
• Lehigh Valley Health Network
• Lehigh Valley Planning Commission
• M. Holland Co.
• Mineral Technologies
• PPL
• Sigal Museum
• St. Luke’s University Health Network
• Stark Financial
• Tyber Medical
• Univest
• Valor Investments and Planning
• Victaulic

Akers notes that students may connect on their own with local companies, but the aforementioned list encompasses roles facilitated through Gateway Career Center.

Liliana Roginski ’25 spent her internship with Bethlehem Township.

Nicole Beckett, associate director for public service at Lafayette’s Robert B. and Helen S. Meyner Center for the Study of State and Local Government, notes her office connects Lafayette students with internships in local government. This summer saw Leopards gain experience in planning and zoning, and management support, through Bethlehem Township, Forks Township, and Doylestown Township in Bucks County.

“Being exposed to local government operations is an excellent opportunity for the interns professionally and personally,” Beckett says. “The students learn about how their communities operate. The experience is eye-opening in many realms including land development, constituent services, finance, or day-to-day management. Local government struggles with the recruitment of future leaders, and this program creates potential for a future career which benefits the field in whole. We are very excited to work with the communities surrounding Lafayette College and look to grow the program locally.” 

Amanda Raudenbush, Bethlehem Township planning director, says their intern brought value to the team. “She was intrinsically motivated and genuinely curious about the work. We would happily use this program again!”

Chelsea Morrese, director of Landis Center for Community Engagement, also helps students to find connections with community organizations including Buy Fresh Buy Local of Greater Lehigh Valley, Wilson Area Communities that Care Coalition, and West Ward Community Initiative (a program of GEDP).

Post a position! Have a job or internship that you’d like to share with Lafayette students? Contact Holly Akers, akersh@lafayette.edu; Nicole Beckett, beckettn@lafayette.edu; or Chelsea Morrese, morresc@lafayette.edu.