BVU Student Interns with U.S. Department of Justice

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Jenny Schildroth

STORM LAKE, IA (07/18/2018) (readMedia)-- Buena Vista University (BVU) student Jenny Schildroth is spending the summer interning at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in Washington, D.C. The coveted internship is part of BVU's partnership with The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars program.

BVU has a longstanding relationship with The Washington Center, which is an organization that matches students with internships in Washington, D.C. The Washington Center has placed BVU students in the White House, the Smithsonian Institution, Congress, law firms, policy think tanks, the Department of the Interior, and more.

To secure the internship, Schildroth submitted an application, a resume, and letters of recommendation to The Washington Center. Once she was accepted into the program, Schildroth was assigned to an advisor who helped arrange phone and video interviews with various organizations in Washington, D.C. The DOJ offered Schildroth the internship position in March.

"It's hard not to be excited after learning you will be working for the DOJ," said Schildroth, who will be a senior at BVU in the fall and is double majoring in business. "This experience will be, and already is, a starting point to my career."

Schildroth's role involves working under the assistant director of affirmative employment, where she assists with projects related to human capital, human resources, and equal employment opportunities. "The people I work for are amazing and it's pretty cool getting to say I work for the DOJ."

Schildroth, who plans to work in human resources after graduating from BVU in May, attributes a great deal of her success to her BVU professors.

"From where I started freshman year to now, my professors have done nothing but empower me and help me grow as a person and as a professional," said Schildroth, who is from Reinbeck. "They are willing to help me with anything I need to become the best version of myself. Whenever I felt that I wasn't qualified for this opportunity, they reassured me that I was and pushed me along."

Lisa Kesting Best, interim dean of the Harold Walter Siebens School of Business at BVU, played an integral role in helping Schildroth land her internship with the DOJ. "Jenny demonstrates all the qualities one would hope for in a rising young professional – good aptitude and academic performance, an excellent record of employment and dedicated service, and a bright future as a strong leader. This premier internship provides Jenny with an unmatched opportunity to develop her knowledge, leadership skills, and professional portfolio. We can't wait to see where she goes from here."

The internship opportunity was made possible by BVU's value-added funds and the financial contributions of BVU's donors.

"Without the generous donors I wouldn't be able to be here," said Schildroth. "I don't know if I'll ever get the chance to talk to any of them directly about it, but if I do, I know I won't be able to thank them enough. I'm learning about myself, my ambitions, and my future career."

Schildroth, whose internship will conclude on Aug. 9, added, "I am a small-town girl who wants to live in a big city. While I'm thankful for where I grew up, I needed to see what it was like to live in a city to determine if it's something I truly want to do. Although I'm still unsure if I want to live in D.C., this is an amazing experience to learn more about myself and what I want out of a career."

About Buena Vista University

Since 1891, Buena Vista University has prepared students for lifelong success and blends liberal arts with real-world applications. Our traditional campus on the shores of Storm Lake hosts students in a variety of majors and pre-professional programs, including elementary, secondary, and special education; business and accounting; and biological and chemical sciences. Our 16 degree-completion locations, online, and graduate programs expand student potential with a pace and academic rigor designed for working adults and a variety of class formats that make scheduling even more convenient. With an average scholarship of more than 50 percent off of tuition, BVU is an affordable option for all students. Visit www.bvu.edu.

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