Internship Experience Spotlight: Angelina Hermosilla Roman

Background and Motivation

Angelina Hermosilla Roman is currently a sophomore pursuing a double major in Operations Management & Business Analytics (OMBA) and Information Systems. When searching for an internship, she wanted a role that balanced both business strategy and technical skills while avoiding positions that were exclusively focused on programming. Instead, she sought opportunities to develop her project management, collaboration, and communication skills. This pursuit led her to her current internship at Peraton, which began in December of last year.

Preparation and Interview Experience

Angelina’s internship search involved utilizing platforms like Handshake, HireSmith, and LinkedIn, while also exploring lesser-known opportunities through university newsletters. She researched potential employers by reviewing company websites, values, and previous intern experiences to ensure alignment with her goals.

To strengthen her application, Angelina sought resume feedback from the Robert H. Smith Office of Career Services and attended resume workshops. Although she didn’t submit a cover letter, she advises other students to take advantage of career center resources to craft one that highlights their strengths.

Networking played a crucial role in securing her internship. By attending ACES program events and career fairs, Angelina built meaningful connections with professionals, opening the door to more opportunities. “Personally I attended the ACES 10 Year Anniversary event and had the opportunity to meet a lot of different people in the industry, ACES corporate partners in particular. At a subsequent event hosted by one of my HACS Seminar Professors, Dr. Charles Harry, I saw some of those same professionals! It was here that they offered to push my resume to their recruiters and that really streamlined the internship application process for me.”

Her interview experience consisted of a 30-minute session, split into two parts: a behavioral interview discussing her resume and experiences, followed by a technical interview. While the technical portion was challenging, she prepared by researching common questions and reviewing programming concepts to enhance her confidence.

On-the-Job Experience

As a part-time intern, Angelina’s daily routine was dynamic and flexible. She typically started her mornings by reviewing emails, checking project updates, and touching base with her mentor for daily tasking. Her responsibilities included programming automated system tests, preparing for internal demos, and identifying key services for her project.

A major learning experience for Angelina was gaining first hand exposure to agile methodologies. While she had previously learned about them in theory, seeing how they were implemented in a real corporate environment gave her valuable insight into workplace structures and team dynamics. Additionally, she strengthened her foundational programming skills through hands-on development work, applying classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios.

Professional Growth

Angelina’s internship reaffirmed her desire to work at the intersection of business and technology. The role provided her with both technical exposure and client-facing responsibilities, helping her develop critical skills in communication and presentations. Performing internal demos was a particularly valuable experience, as she envisions a future career that is both technically engaging and people-oriented.

Beyond skill development, her internship also provided clarity on workplace culture and professional expectations. Experiencing the corporate environment firsthand helped her better understand what she values in a company and team structure, shaping her future career aspirations.

Advice for Students

For students currently searching for internships, Angelina emphasizes the importance of networking. She encourages attending employer-hosted events, career fairs, and student organization gatherings to build connections with recruiters. Establishing relationships with industry professionals can help students stand out and make the application process smoother.

She also stresses the importance of refining application materials, particularly resumes and cover letters. Tailoring these documents to each job posting and seeking feedback from career services can significantly improve chances of success. “This is a great way to stand out and demonstrate interest.”

Published March 25, 2025