The
Peter C. Dozzi
Pittsburgh Internship Initiative
Summer 2013
About my Internship Experience:
As a design intern at the ACLU of
Pennsylvania in Pittsburgh, I designed
Facebook icons, and posters to raise
awareness on the proposed Pennsylvania
Voter Identification Law.
I produced an informational guide on how the
Right to Know Act can be used by individuals
and small communities. This guide will
ultimately be featured on the ACLU website for
download. I also had the opportunity to create
a set of short videos for Banned Books Week
that were catchy and featured clips from TV
episodes that had been banned throughout the
years for varying reasons.
Over the course of my time at the ACLU I was
able to apply my skills learned in both
professional writing and design classes in
order to produce professional products that
were ready for distribution.
Kayla Heglas
College: Dietrich, Fine Art
Graduation Date: May 2014
Company: ACLU of Pennsylvania
Job: Intern
About my Internship Experience:
As an intern at the Mattress Factory, I was able
to learn, first-hand, how a small contemporary
art museum worked and to learn about the
function of larger museums from the previous
experiences of my colleagues.
Working on three projects, the Urban Garden
Party, the opening of a new gallery, and the
museum’s 35th anniversary art auction, gave
me experience in editing sound and video and
in designing marketing collateral ranging from
vendor signs at events to auction booklets and
fliers to multimedia materials for press and
museum education.
The Dozzi award was invaluable to me
because it afforded me the opportunity to dive
headlong into my work, without worrying about
whether or not I’d be able to pay rent.
Matthew Liner
College: Dietrich
Graduation Date: December 2013
Company: Mattress Factory, VIA
Job: Intern
About my Internship Experience:
As a recipient of the Dozzi scholarship, I was
given the opportunity to choreograph an opera,
Mozartʼs La Finta Giardinera, for Opera
Theater of Pittsburghʼs Summerfest. The
whole process, from conceptualizing and
discussing what “could be” to seeing the
finished product, was a learning experience
because I have never worked with opera
before.
It was exciting to work with professionals at the
peak of their art form, who were so willing to
share their gifts with me. Although I have
choreographed many non-opera pieces in the
past, this production was especially special for
me because this cast was phenomenally gifted
and was willing to play within the crazy world
we built them.
Mitch Marois
College: Drama
Graduation Date: May 2014
Company: Self-led Initiative
Job: Choreographer
About my Internship Experience:
As an intern at Assemble I became familiar
with the work of a nonprofit organization and I
was challenged with creating the curriculum for
Assemble’s summer camps. I also was
involved in assisting with any events asked of
me, and acting as a teaching assistant for the
various camps and educational activities that
Assemble managed during the summer.
The most enjoyable experience from working
with Assemble was when I interrupted an
activity to explain how the moon affects high
and low tide on the earth. My impromptu
lecture lasted just a moment, but for that
moment I was telling the students something
that they had truly never heard before and that
truly interested them. It was phenomenal. My
time at Assemble demonstrated to me that
organization and communication are extremely
important—that they are the most key
elements in having any endeavor be
successful.
Anna Mohr
College: Fine Art
Graduation Date: May 2014
Company: Assemble
Job: Intern
About my Internship Experience:
As the Allegheny County Democratic
Committee (ACDC) intern I had the opportunity
to help start the Party’s first capital campaign. I
learned first-hand the detail and planning that
political fundraisers entail and I discovered the
fascinating world of local politics and its
importance to everyone’s daily lives. The best
part of my experience with ACDC was the
opportunity to travel to San Antonio, Texas as a
Pennsylvania delegate at the Young
Democrats of America National Convention.
My experience helped me to understand that I
don’t need to wait until I graduate to make a
difference; there are young people impacting
their communities right now. This has been one
of the best summers of life and I’m lucky to say
that I am leaving this internship with not only
with new skills and more knowledge but also
with a mentor, my ACDC boss.
Zoe Ofomata
College: Tepper, Dietrich
Graduation Date: May 2015
Company: Allegheny County Democratic Committee
Job: Intern
About my Internship Experience:
As the Summer Curriculum and Seed
Committee Intern for Assemble, I participated
in many core programs and activities, including
implementing art and science lesson plans.
Although I taught the classes, I felt as though I
learned as much as the children. In particular,
I remember the moment when I learned about
the science involved in fibers and weaving – it
really brought to life the pertinence of
experiential learning. Another of my summer
accomplishments was educating the Seed
Committee on the formal documentation they
need when producing the grant evaluations
and writing tasks.
My experience at Assemble has made me
interested in answering key questions about
my role in community development and
education; When communities are introduced
to digital media, how can I play an active role
in making sure it meets their changing needs?
Prisca Ohito
College: Dietrich, Fine Art
Graduation Date: May 2014
Company: Assemble
Job: Intern
About my Internship Experience:
As an intern at the Japan-America Society of
Pennsylvania, I learned about the inner
workings of a nonprofit operation, directly
coordinated events, met JASP members and
board members, worked in a professional
office, and took on various projects to further
the mission of the organization. My coworkers also sought me out to work on JASP’s
initiative to attract a younger membership
because I have been highly involved in Japanrelated organizations within the Pittsburgh and
Carnegie Mellon communities.
Not only has working at the JASP opened my
eyes to the vast number of Japan-related
connections in the Pittsburgh area but it has
also helped me explore future career
opportunities and to gain confidence in my
abilities.
Angelique Rein
College: Dietrich
Graduation Date: May 2015
Company: Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania
Job: Intern
About my Internship Experience:
In the Biomechatronics Laboratory at
Carnegie Mellon University I had the
opportunity to collect and analyze metabolic
and kinematic data for a recently developed
prosthetic foot. Being a part of the data
collection process gave me a good
appreciation for thought that goes into
planning and conduction a research study.
I was also given the opportunity to design
and test a controller for the prosthetic foot.
My experience gave me exposure to new
programs relevant and important to the
Biomechatronics field, an understanding of
the research study data collection process,
an appreciation for the mechanical
controller design process, and practice in
small mechanical repairs. I have also
gained a better sense of direction in where I
would like my life to head after I graduate
this coming spring.
Julie Rekant
College: CIT
Graduation Date: May 2014
Company: Biomechatronics Laboratory
Job: Intern
About my Internship Experience:
As a presenter in Highmark SportsWork at
the Carnegie Science Center, I received
safety and customer service training, exhibit
operations training, and I was involved in a
job shadowing program. After my initial
training, I was given the opportunity to staff
eight interactive SportsWorks exhibits and
to talk to visitors about concepts in physics,
anatomy, biology, and chemistry involved in
these exhibits.
My internship not only enhanced my own
understanding of these scientific principles
but also taught me about interacting with
visitors, staff, and children, practicing openended questions as a teaching tool, and
delivering an interesting, educational
experience within a short time frame.
Overall, my internship at the Carnegie
Science Center was a worthwhile
experience that gave me skills and
knowledge which will prove invaluable in the
future.
Liz Snyder
College: Dietrich
Graduation Date: May 2016
Company: Carnegie Science Center
Job: SportsWork Intern
About my Internship Experience:
As a research intern at the University of
Pittsburgh Cancer Institute I worked to test
clinical trial drugs that are being studied for
use in treating different stages of lung
cancer. By performing wound assays using
the clinical trial drugs on four cell lines, I
was able to determine which drug was the
most effective in preventing metastasis and
which concentration of the drug worked
best.
My work at the University of Pittsburgh
Cancer Institute was highly exhilarating. It
was amazing to know that the cells I was
testing came from actual patients and that
the drugs I was working with will someday
be broadly used in lung cancer treatment.
My experience has given me a newfound
appreciation for medical researchers
because I am now able to realize how
extensively drugs are tested before being
made available to the public. I would like go
to into pharmaceuticals after I graduate
from Carnegie Mellon.
Priscilla Wong
College: MCS
Graduation Date: May 2014
Company: UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
Job: Research Intern