FBI Honors Internship
Ohio Wesleyan Senior Working in Lab at Quantico, Virginia-Based Academy
Name: Kayla Rush ’23
Hometown: McMurray, Pennsylvania
Majors: Biology and Dance
Minor: Theatre
OWU Connection Experience: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Honors Internship
Rush is spending the summer at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, where she is working as a laboratory division intern.
“I was always fascinated by the crime scene shows on TV and thought it would be so cool to play a role in helping the victims,” Rush says of her interest in the FBI internship. “My love for science led me toward the field of forensics. I applied to this internship for the last two years and was accepted this year. The help from Mindy Agin in the Career Connection office was invaluable in my application process.”
My Favorite Moment
“The coolest part of the internship has been getting to drive the different Bureau vehicles like the Suburbans around. On a more serious note, getting to learn from all the people I work with, see what keeps them motivated to do their work and what their career paths have looked like has been incredible.
“I learn and see something new every day and it’s so exciting to take it all in.”
Lessons Learned
“This experience has helped me to solidify what I want my future to look like.
“I am inspired by the people that I am working with and their commitment to helping others even in difficult circumstances. Like I said before, I learn something new every day, whether that be a new skill or a life lesson to take with me.
“This experience and what I gained will stay with me forever.”
My OWU Mentors
“This internship does not directly involve any OWU faculty but I would like to thank Dr. Laura Tuhela-Reuning and Rashana Perks Smith for their support and assistance in the application and background process. Each of these professors serves as someone I know I can always turn to for assistance, academic or otherwise.”
Why I Chose Ohio Wesleyan
“One of the biggest reasons I chose OWU was because it allowed me the opportunity to follow both of my passions, dance and science. Being able to do both of these things was incredibly important to me.
“The culture at OWU is one where doing these seemingly conflicting and different majors is not only feasible but is encouraged. I love the small class sizes and the communities that I have built in each of my majors because of that.”
My Plans After Graduation
“I hope to continue on to a full-time position with the FBI. An important value of the FBI is flexibility, which is something that I honed during my time at OWU.
“Being in two very different disciplines has allowed me to become incredibly adaptable and transfer skills from dance to science and vice versa. I feel the programs and people at OWU have prepared me for the workforce, and I look forward to seeing all that I am prepared for!”