Profitable Experience
Ohio Wesleyan Student Interns as Economic Development Public Policy Fellow
Name: Luisa Pereira Duarte '26
Hometown: Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Majors: Quantitative Economics and Finance
Minors: Mathematics and Business
OWU Connection Experience: Summer internship with Cuyahoga County government in Northeast Ohio
Duarte worked as an economic development public policy fellow in support of Cuyahoga County's newly established Office of Small Business located in downtown Cleveland. Her internship was coordinated by the Summer on the Cuyahoga (SOTC) program, which seeks to showcase and attract talent to the Northeast Ohio region. SOTC provides up to 80 internships each summer to students from nine U.S. colleges and universities, including Ohio Wesleyan.
My Internship
"Duties included conducting comprehensive benchmarking studies of similar offices across the U.S. to identify best practices and strategic recommendations, designing and mapping the department's website for improved functionality, developing tailored contact forms to streamline inquiries, participating in community events to engage with local entrepreneurs, managing and updating contact information and data, updating the department's service map and developing a matching application concept, collaborating with other departments to improve website content, and tracking key performance metrics."
The team consistently listened to my opinions and encouraged my questions, creating an environment where I felt truly heard and valued. They not only listened to my ideas but actively supported them.
My Favorite Moments
"My favorite moments of this internship experience were the team meetings. I found myself surrounded by an exceptional group of professionals, and my supervisor, Vaughn Johnson, the deputy director of economic development, was particularly inspiring.
"I believe that what made these meetings so special was the level of inclusion and respect I felt, despite being 'just an intern.' The team consistently listened to my opinions and encouraged my questions, creating an environment where I felt truly heard and valued. They not only listened to my ideas but actively supported them, demonstrating a genuine interest in my growth and contributions. I was also given the opportunity to participate in a wide range of projects and meetings beyond my initial scope.
"This hands-on experience really opened my eyes to how economic development works and how all the different parts of the department fit together. … Looking back, I feel lucky to have been part of such a great team. I'm excited that I still get to keep working with them as a consultant this semester."
'Incredibly Rewarding Experience'
"Experiences like Summer on the Cuyahoga (SOTC) are really important as they provide a unique glimpse into adulthood. This program offers students the chance to work a 9-to-5 paid internship while also providing free housing, which definitely alleviates some financial stress.
"Throughout the summer, I learned to juggle commuting, cooking, working, maintaining a social life, staying active, and studying, all at once. It was a busy yet incredibly rewarding experience. I made awesome friendships with some of the participants and had numerous opportunities to make important career connections in my workplace. These experiences not only prepared me for the professional world but also helped me develop essential life skills."
Enjoying Cleveland
"Cleveland has quickly climbed the ranks to become one of my favorite cities in the U.S. The arts, culinary, sports, and music scene are all amazing. Also, being so close to the lake and having so many green areas, those scenic trails made running so much easier and enjoyable.
"One of my most memorable Cleveland experiences was when I was walking to work and got stopped by a crew filming the new Superman movie right outside my workplace. I could actually see some of it from my office window."
Inspiring Alumni
"My experience with OWU alumni has been incredibly positive, particularly thanks to Christopher Litzler '14, who has played a significant role in supporting OWU students throughout the Summer on the Cuyahoga (SOTC) program. Over my past two summers, he has been an invaluable resource, providing assistance before, during, and after the program. No matter the challenge, he always seems to have a solution at hand and is genuinely willing to help." (In 2023, Duarte worked as a real estate development analyst intern as part of the SOTC program.)
Essential Career Counseling
"The OWU Career Connection office has been of tremendous help for my professional development journey. They offered multiple resources like funds for internship clothes (through the Bishop Launch Program), interview practice, networking opportunities, and resume reviews – shoutout to Mindy Agin and Carolyn Lammert for their exceptional support always!
"As an international student, navigating the transition after classes end and before my internship starts can be quite challenging, but the Career Connection team made it much smoother. They have been of immense help and I am very grateful for everything they have done to help."
My Campus Involvements
"I am part of the Accounting and Finance Fellows Program, Corns Business and Entrepreneurial Scholars Program, Community Research Fellows Program, Economics Honor Society Tutoring, and Investment Club. I also work as a grader for an economics course and assist some professors on data collection for economics research."
Why I Chose Ohio Wesleyan?
"I chose Ohio Wesleyan University because of its commitment to both academic and personal growth. The small class sizes and opportunities to engage in research, internships, and international experiences have also contributed a lot."
My Plans After Graduation
"Either pursue a career in economics or finance, or continue my education with a Ph.D. in Financial Economics.
"Ohio Wesleyan University, particularly the Department of Economics and Business and The Woltemade Center, has helped me a lot to prepare for my future goals. The courses, fellowship programs, scholarships, research and internship opportunities, networking events with alumni, and career guidance have all significantly enhanced my professional development. These resources and experiences have constantly been giving me knowledge, skills, and connections that I believe are fundamental for my future plans."