Four students from Elon University gained valuable experiences during summer internships in the Washington, D.C. area.
Four students in the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business spent their summer in the national capital region or, as it’s known locally, the DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia). Each student shared their diverse experience on what opportunities are in the nation’s capital.
Jack Costello ’26
Business analytics and finance
Annapolis, Maryland
Jack Costello’s interned at Renewal by Andersen in Fairfax, Virginia, where he focused on improving team collaboration and performance.
“Having worked with the company last summer, I identified ways to boost morale and productivity,” Costello said. “Door-to-door fieldwork can be challenging. I wanted everyone to feel connected and part of a team.”
He took on additional responsibilities, including training new hires and being a reliable mentor. The evolving team dynamics presented unique challenges but also offered opportunities for Costello to adapt and lead through change.
Valuable advice from his boss guided him: “Stay true to your convictions. If you see a path forward, stick to it and see it through.”
Reflecting on his experience, Costello noted that the internship broadened his perspective. “I never thought I’d intern at a window replacement company,” said Costello. “But it taught me to keep my options open and be adaptable.”
He recently accepted an offer from Northwestern Mutual for next summer.
Mya Joy Lee ’26
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Southern Maryland
For Mya Joy Lee, participating in Ernst & Young’s Launch Internship Program was an opportunity to explore various facets of the company’s professional services while staying true to her entrepreneurial roots.
“I went to Baltimore for National Launch Training for a week, then spent seven weeks at the Tysons Corner, Virginia, office,” said Lee. “I rotated through audit, tech risk and tax service lines.”
The rotational experience allowed her to discover her interests. “I alternated between different projects and teams, getting a feel for what I liked,” Lee said. “I really enjoyed seeing what each line of service was about.”
Networking was a significant part of her internship. She participated in the Big Four kickball tournament in D.C., a major event for interns.
“I loved meeting people, especially at the national launch training with about 600 interns from across the country,” she said. “Connecting with other Elon students, who were also interning with a Big Four, and professionals was incredible.”
Her mentor at Ernst & Young offered valuable advice: “Fully immerse yourself—don’t leave dry. Come in and soak up everything possible. Talk to as many people as you can,” Lee said. “I spoke up and engaged fully, even when I was the only intern in meetings.”
Lee believes her entrepreneurial background will help her connect more with clients by better understanding the challenges they face.
“As a business owner myself, I think my experience will allow me to build common ground and strengthen relationships with clients in the future,” she said.
Looking ahead, Lee is excited to return to Ernst & Young next summer and focus on the tech risk service line.
Em Orendorff ’26
Finance
Annapolis, Maryland
The summer offered an immersive experience in the world of finance at Wealth Enhancement Group in Fulton, Maryland for Em Orendorff. As the sole intern in the office, she took on a range of responsibilities that deepened her understanding of wealth management.
“Working on client reviews was a significant part of my role,” said Orendorff. “I prepped advisors by adjusting portfolio numbers to ensure accuracy before client meetings. It was a hands-on way to apply what I’d learned in class.”
She also conducted research on funds within client portfolios and analyzed market trends.
“I looked into how recent Federal Reserve actions might impact portfolios,” she said. “Keeping up with market analyses was both challenging and exciting.”
A standout moment was attending a client meeting in Washington, D.C., during her first week.
“It was the highlight of my summer,” Orendorff said. “I could apply concepts like capital gains and tax strategies from my financial planning class with Professor Shah.”
Her supervisor played a crucial role in her growth.
“He encouraged me to dive deeper and become more proactive,” she noted. “If I had a question about complex investment concepts, he’d say, ‘Go research it, and we’ll talk after.'”
Orendorff plans to leverage Elon’s partnership with the Certified Financial Planner program.
John Jameson ’27
Finance
Washington, D.C.
John Jameson’s summer was spent at the intersection of economics and policy as a legislative intern in Senator Thom Tillis’s office. Jameson independently sought out his internship over the summer.
“My day-to-day involved attending hearings, conducting tax and economic bill research, giving Capitol tours and communicating with constituents,” said Jameson. “As an 18-year-old working in a senator’s office and talking with him directly, it was a pretty eye-opening experience.”
He researched the OECD’s Pillar Two policy on a proposed 15% global corporate tax rate. When presenting his findings, he was challenged.
“The chief of staff said, ‘I have three minutes. Tell me everything without looking at your slides.’ It taught me about adapting to unexpected situations,” Jameson said.
Despite his political exposure, Jameson realized his passion lies in finance.
“I want to focus on something more analytical and data-driven,” he said.
His goal is to secure an internship with the New York Federal Reserve and progress into investment banking or asset management.
About Internships at Elon
Elon’s nationally recognized Student Professional Development Center counselors work with undergraduates from their first year to create personal development plans, résumés and strong networking skills. Through internships, students earn academic credit, gain firsthand knowledge of the workplace and obtain professional skills that put them ahead of other college graduates. Elon partners with an expansive network of employers across the country who actively recruit students for internships and full-time positions.