Internships combine community-engaged learning and professional development
With nearly half of all internships unpaid, many college students face financial barriers and unequal access to professional opportunities. The CHE in NYC summer internship is fully funded, helping close that gap. It places Cornell Human Ecology students with community organizations like the Boys and Girls Club of Harlem.
Through these partnerships, students like Taylor Cole ’26 and Katrina Samuda ’26, gain meaningful work experience that benefits local communities. The human development majors spent eight weeks leading youth programs that combined education, advocacy and hands-on learning, including planning a youth mental health conference attended by over 100 teens and featuring speakers from organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
The cohort also participates in professional development and social events, creating a well-rounded and impactful summer experience.
Here’s a glimpse into their journey.
Joanne Lin '27 and Lauren Unger '26, GlamourGals
Over the course of eight weeks with GlamourGals, Lin and Unger, both human biology, health and society majors, led summer makeover events across New York City that fostered connection between seniors and teen volunteers.
Founded by Human Ecology alumna Rachel Doyle '05, GlamourGals empowers intergenerational connections by reducing senior isolation and giving teen volunteers meaningful leadership opportunities. During the summer makeovers, teens and interns trade stories, give nail and beauty treatments, and build lasting relationships.
In addition to hosting these gatherings, Lin and Unger helped plan and execute the entire summer series: developing outreach materials, recruiting volunteers, managing logistics and gathering feedback to enhance future programming. Their efforts reached 18 schools, including six new to GlamourGals, and helped create meaningful experiences that left lasting impressions everyone involved.
