In college, summer vacation is no longer about all play and no work. For some Cornellians, the break in between classes is used to advance their professional or academic plans. From conducting psychological research and learning about life as a lawyer to protecting the environment and helping people on the street win prizes, Cornell students are taking advantage of summer to get a leg up in the world.
 Jessica Allison ’08 is performing research funded by the National Institutes of Health with psychology professor Sue Astley on “developing an animal model for the priming effect that is a part of implicit memory.” She is working with pigeons in an effort to help develop a better understanding of how the memory process works in humans.
“Through this research I have gained a better understanding of concepts and theories involved with animal cognition, as well as the other research that has been performed in this area,” Allison said, adding, “This job has been a great research opportunity.”
While Allison is enhancing her future by doing research in Iowa, Miki Otis ’08 is doing something similar in Chicago in order to help her “put a scientific basis behind my desire to become a physician.” Otis is spending her summer at the University of Chicago looking at how increased social, intellectual and physical activity can reduce brain injury.
But Chicago isn’t the only city Cornellians are enjoying while away from the comforts of Mount Vernon. Two students are advancing their long term career interests in Iowa’s capital, Des Moines, as well. Jess Horn ’08 is continuing her professional relationship with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
As a result of her successful experience as the Cornell Fellow in Planning and Policy Coordination at the Iowa DNR in January and February, Horn was asked to come back and work with Iowa’s Environmental Protection Commission this summer. She is responsible for managing the flow of documents provided by the DNR used by the commission to make decision on environmental protection issues across the state.
“My summer experience at the DNR has helped me grow professionally by introducing me to a plethora of tasks and processes that the government utilizes day to day and by exposing me to a level of professionalism that is expected of those in a government office,” stated Horn.
 While Horn’s work takes her to the State Capital, Leslie Tweeton ’09 is getting a behind the scenes look at life as a lawyer. Tweeton is a summer intern in one of Des Moines’ largest law firms, Nyemaster, Goode, West, Hansell & O’Brien. She works on a variety of projects including research on expert witnesses, transcription of meetings, speaking with attorney’s about cases they are working on, and learning from Nyemaster attorneys who have clerked for United States Supreme Court Justices.
“I’m actually more interested in becoming a lawyer than I was when I began here,” Tweeton said. She secured the summer internship with the help of her Pre-Law Alumni Mentor, Craig Shives ’67, who is a senior partner at the firm.
 Much like Tweeton in Des Moines, Jamie Adams ’08 has gotten a lot of confidence in her career plans this summer as she interns with KZIA radio—Z102.9 and ESPN1600—in Cedar Rapids. Adams helps out the radio personalities at remote broadcasts, station events, and makes an occasional appearance on the Schulte and Swann morning show helping listeners win prizes.
“I always thought I wanted to do something in the music industry,” Adams remarked, “but after my summer in radio, I know that the music industry is the place for me.”
Adams has been able to find a good summer balance of fun and education through her internship, adding, “A job in radio could possibly be one of the greatest jobs in the world.”
 Solidifying career plans isn’t the only thing summer work is good for though. Bryan Roush ’08 has spent his second summer interning with the African American Museum and Culture Center of Iowa to continue building his skill sets that complement his communications studies major. Working with the Director of Statewide Operations to develop a lecture series across Iowa about George Washington Carver, Roush has been able to have a tangible work experience and grow as a young professional.
“I am learning how to communicate clearly and effectively over the internet, phone, and in person as this job entails a lot of that,” said Roush, “I realize how I can apply the skills I have learned at Cornell and build on them.”
Regardless of where Cornellians are this summer, opportunities to learn and grow academically or professionally are still within arms reach, and these students have certainly found ways to advance their life plans.
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