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The Judy Papernick ’79 Experiential Learning Program Scholarship provides financial support to students pursuing unpaid internships, helping them gain valuable professional experience beyond the classroom. Recipients Quentin Toulson and Chazunda Sinakapande are using their internship experiences to explore careers in mental health and economic development while building the skills needed to make an impact in their communities.

This report includes the data and successes from the Spring 2026 internship semester and the positive impact of experiential learning when it comes to preparing students for professional experiences.

Professional clothing can be expensive, and for students preparing for interviews, internships, or networking events, the expectation to ‘dress professionally’ can quickly become another barrier in an already stressful process. That realization is what first sparked the idea for Suited for Success.

Through a collaborative effort between Chatham Honors and Career Development, students gained valuable tools to build their professional brand during a LinkedIn workshop led by Hannah Su Hepler and Grace Conde.

The objective of this report is to summarize the experience of Chatham interns over the course of the Fall 2025 semester, as well as to analyze the experience of the employers and intern sites to determine the success of the internship program in preparing students for careers after graduation. 

Gwenn Painter organized the Career Development’s third Impromptu Interview event. Gwenn partnered with her psychology capstone class and gave her classmates the opportunity to practice interview skills with local Pittsburgh employers.

The survey numbers from the Fall 2025 Job and Internship Mixer tell a clear story: students are more prepared for professional networking than they think. Nearly all employers strongly agreed that the event met their expectations, and most noted that students demonstrated the kinds of skills and confidence needed in the workplace.

On September 23rd, the Chatham Pre-PA Club hosted Allegheny Health Network (AHN) on campus to help students improve their resume for healthcare related jobs and valuable interview tips. Keep reading to hear more about the event from Piper Young, President of Pre-PA Club, and Nicholas Joseph, Early Careers Talent Recruiter from AHN.

In professional environments, few phrases feel as intimidating as “I don’t know.” Many people fear that admitting uncertainty signals a lack of preparation or competence. Yet, in reality, acknowledging what you don’t know, when done thoughtfully, can enhance your credibility, demonstrate self-awareness, and position you as a problem-solver. Whether you’re building connections through networking, interviewing for a position, or advancing in your career, the way you respond to uncertainty can shape how others perceive your professionalism and preparedness.