Internship

Finding Your Passion and Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone

October 4, 2022 by University Communications & Marketing

Brittany Johnson ’24 had a lot of life under her belt when she applied to Chaminade University.

She’d already served in the Air Force, after enrolling right out of high school. She’d earned her first degree—a bachelor’s in Community and Public Health from the University of South Carolina. She’d gone back into military service, joining the Army and shipping off to Hawaii’s Schofield Barracks.

Her experiences helped her grow—and drove her to realize something: she thrived on helping others.

So she decided to turn her talents to Nursing and applied to several universities as she prepared to complete her Army obligations. She was packing up, anticipating she would have to move back to the mainland, when she got word from Chaminade that she’d been accepted. “I ended up at Chaminade, was awarded scholarships to help and never looked back,” she said. “I am so happy that I did.”

In the Nursing program and across campus, Johnson said, she found a community that offered supportive encouragement and a warm atmosphere. They celebrated her unique perspective. And they connected her with a host of opportunities that helped her put her learning into action.

“There was a time in my life when I didn’t know the value of people. I didn’t know how to ask for or receive help,” she said. “But at Chaminade, I’ve always felt like part of the family. I could not have done what I have done without the people around me, my professors and mentors and my peers.”

It was helping hands at Chaminade that got her connected to a cutting-edge internship with the Air Force Research Laboratory, where she pored over research into nanomaterials. She focused on luciferase, a light-producing enzyme found in fireflies that can be used in x-ray machines.

The evolving technology could be a safer option, especially for those who require multiple x-rays.

Johnson analyzed the available literature to put together an in-depth poster on the potential opportunities and limitations with the nanomaterial. She then delivered a presentation to the board of directors for the program. The Air Force could now end up pursuing further research into luciferase.

For Johnson, the internship wasn’t just exciting, it was challenging. “Five years ago, I could not have projected I would be doing this kind of work,” Johnson said. “It truly took a team of people to do that.”

She liked the experience so much, she opted to extend it. This fall, she’s interested in researching nanomaterials that could help physicians detect cancer earlier, leading to better patient outcomes.

And that’s not the only internship that’s been keeping Johnson busy.

Chaminade also connected her with an internship for Summer 2022 with the National Hemophilia Foundation’s Hawaii chapter. She jumped at the chance to work closer with patients and their families while helping to raise awareness for a condition that not many people fully understand.

“Over the course of the summer, I did everything from help to plan events to assist with fundraising efforts,” she said. “But the highlight was attending a summer camp for kids with hemophilia. These kids feel ostracized a lot of the time, but at camp with their peers they got to really enjoy themselves.”

Kids with hemophilia often can’t participate in the same activities because their blood doesn’t clot properly, meaning even relatively small injuries can be dangerous. Hearing from families about how they manage the disease, Johnson said, helped her gain important perspective as a nurse in training.

“It was so fulfilling,” she said. “And it helped me put a spotlight on people whose voices we don’t oftentimes hear. I didn’t know these people are right next door to me. They’re in our community.”

As she makes progress toward graduation, Johnson said she is especially grateful to the Career Development team at Chaminade—especially career advisor Diane Yang. Johnson said the internships Yang and her team connected her with have helped her grow as a learner and a leader.

“It’s not easy to get out of your comfort zone,” she said, “but there’s no better way to learn.”

Student’s Passion to Malama Ka ‘Aina Resonates Inside and Outside the Classroom

August 26, 2022 by University Communications & Marketing

Lihau Keoneula Stender ’24 loves the outdoors.

On any given weekend, she’ll hit the beach, go for a hike or volunteer for a clean-up.

That passion for Hawaii’s natural environment drove Stender to double-major in both Biology and Environmental Sciences at Chaminade. And it inspired her to put the skills and knowledge she was learning into action, both as a volunteer and as an intern at a hydroponics company in the islands.

“When I would go to the beach or hiking, I noticed a lot of people were not taking care of the environment like they should be,” Stender said. “I thought, ‘Maybe I should focus on that and do some good for the community.’ I really like helping out and feeling as if I’m part of the solution.”

Stender, who graduated from Punahou School and lives in Palolo, chose to attend Chaminade after being selected for Ho’oulu Scholarship. The scholarship covers all four years of tuition, and includes career development advising, connections to paid internships, wraparound academic support and service-learning projects.

“Chaminade is five minutes from where I live. I was super-excited about the scholarship and about attending a university with a strong Biology program. Here, I can stay home and save money,” she said.

Stender kicked off her Chaminade career at the beginning of the pandemic, which meant her first semester was online. To shake off stress, she’d get outdoors—and notice things she didn’t like. People leaving their trash behind on the beach, on hiking trails and along the side of the road.

She knew she needed to do something about the problem.

And she got the chance in one of her Environmental Studies classes when she participated in the Waiale’e Volunteer Workday, a special opportunity from the North Shore Community Land Trust to help restore native ecosystems and traditional Hawaiian agriculture. The volunteer day is held on the third Saturday of each month. And after her first volunteering experience, Stender was hooked.

“I’m continuing to volunteer with this project, which is so hands-on,” she said. “Most times, we’re clearing California grass and dead trees. Last month, I brought a friend of mine and we had so much fun clearing this little marsh pit. I just love doing manual labor sometimes. You feel like you’re helping.”

Stender also helps in another important way. Through Chaminade, she was able to secure a full internship with Bee’s Greens Co., an aquaponics company that sells their locally grown lettuce to Roy’s restaurants and other eateries and donates everything they can’t use.

Stender said she was delighted to learn the manager at Bee’s Greens is a Chaminade graduate.

And shortly after starting at the company, which operates an urban farm using vertical hydroponic growing systems, Stender realized the joy of caring for plants as they grow and thrive. “It helps me make that connection—between what I’ve learned and what I can do,” she said. “It’s one thing to learn about sustainable farming in the classroom. It’s another thing to actually help a sustainable farm.”

She added that her internship has gotten her to think about other ways that Hawaii could grow significantly more of its own food. Today, more than 90% of food sold in the islands is shipped in. But it wasn’t always that way. “We used to be very self-sustainable,” Stender said. “And we can do it again.”

As she continues her journey at Chaminade, Stender is also excited about life after college.

She’s not sure whether she wants to jump into the workforce or seek a graduate degree.

But she does know she wants to continue making a positive impact. “My advice to other young people is: if you’re not doing something good, you’re kind of hindering it, in a way,” she said. “Serving the community really benefits others and also yourself—because you’re growing, too.”

Student Finds Marketing Internships to Support Her Passion for Politics

August 8, 2022 by University Communications & Marketing

If you want to follow Hali’a Carlbom ‘25 around for the day, you’d better put on your tennis shoes.

She is always on the run.

In addition to a full course load as a Historical and Political Studies major (with a minor in Political Science), Carlbom is in the Chaminade Experiential Honors Program and is also honing her social media marketing and communications skills with not one but two separate internships.

Did we mention she’s just about to start her sophomore year?

“I like to stay busy and get involved in the community,” Carlbom said, adding that she’s excited about voting for the first time in the upcoming election. “It’s so important to participate, to vote. I’m doing my research now—trying to read up on the candidates and attend their events. I’m doing my homework.”

Carlbom graduated from Kaiser High School and decided to follow in her sister Trinity’s footsteps to Chaminade. Hali’a Carlbom said she really wanted a university experience with small classes, where she could forge strong relationships with her professors and peers. “I really thrive on classroom discussions and I am absolutely hooked on studying history, looking into the past to understand today,” she said.

Just how much of a history buff is she?

Carlbom said she’s not ashamed to say she’s watched “Hamilton” at least four times.

At Chaminade, Carlbom said the Experiential Honors Program has helped her pursue her academic passions. The program connected her with a mentor and has allowed her to tackle service and research projects through the university’s United Nations-affiliated CIFAL Honolulu Center. “It’s been stressful but in a good way,” Carlbom said. “It’s all about thinking critically and really expanding your perspective.”

Carbom is also actively building her skills with two internships.

She said she found both through Chaminade internship fairs. The first is with Mana Up Hawaii, an initiative to support local entrepreneurs and products. The second is with the Future Collective, a youth culture creative marketing agency based in Tokyo, Japan. Carlbom said she has jumped into both head-first, creating marketing content for social media and helping to craft messaging across platforms.

“It’s about knowing the brand, the mission, what words to use, the design,” she said.

She added, “It’s not easy—but it’s a good challenge.”

Carlbom added she especially likes what Mana Up Hawaii represents and is proud to be supporting an organization that helps local and young business owners get their start. “I’m doing engagement on social media. I’m helping to promote events. I’m putting together posts. It’s really cool,” she said.

Despite her busy schedule, Carlbom is still finding time to remain active in the upcoming Hawaii elections. “Politics really interests me and today, social media is so important to campaigns to be able to speak directly to their audience,” she said. “I’m trying to learn as much as I can.”

And while Carlbom isn’t yet sure what her future career will be, she’s certain about one thing.

“I want to get involved,” she said, “and make a difference.”

From Chaminade to Paris to Nashville and Back

August 1, 2022 by University Communications & Marketing

Tommianne Brockert ‘23 loves studying, working and living in Hawaii.

But she jumped at the chance to study abroad—and she hopes to convince others to do the same.

Brockert, a Psychology major who is minoring in Business Administration, spent the Spring 2022 semester in France through Chaminade University’s study abroad program. She stayed with a host family, took classes at the American Business School in Paris and, she said, tried to squeeze in as many opportunities to learn about French language, culture, society and day-to-day life as she possibly could.

“I took French in high school, but it was a huge learning curve,” she said. “And I was not afraid to play tourist. I visited every famous Parisian landmark that I possibly could … from the Arc de Triomphe to the Notre Dame Cathedral to the Siene. I wanted to really get a feel for the city and its people and I did.”

Brockert also broadened her experience by working, including at an insurance firm and as a babysitter.

She said the thing that surprised her the most was how affordable and seamless study abroad was at Chaminade. She was able to earn credit toward her degree and her tuition was nearly the same. “I did my homework and realized this was a great way to broaden my learning and see the world,” she said.

But Brockert’s whirlwind year didn’t stop there.

Before she jetted off to Paris, Chaminade’s Undergraduate Research and Pre-Professional Programs team encouraged Brockert to apply for a summer Leadership Alliance internship. The program is designed to prepare underrepresented minorities for academic research and graduate study.

It was while she was studying abroad that Brockert learned she had been selected to conduct psychology research at Vanderbilt University over the summer. Reached on an afternoon in July, Brockert was packing for a conference in Connecticut, where she would present her summer work.

At Vanderbilt, she studied misinformation in social media and how to reduce its spread.

“I’d love one day for social media companies to implement what I’ve found,” she said.

The Leadership Alliance opportunity included a full scholarship, covering Brockert’s room and board while studying in Nashville. She also got to enjoy a new city—and she wasn’t disappointed. “There is so much happening here,” she said. “It’s just really opened up my eyes and given me confidence.”

Brockert heads back to Chaminade this Fall for her senior year.

And she’s looking forward to encouraging her peers to try study abroad for themselves.

“It’s been so fun. If you’re a go-getter and you’ve always wanted to study abroad, Chaminade is the perfect place to get going and do that. They’re flexible and they want to make it work for you,” she said.

She added, “If you let go of your fears, so many opportunities are going to open up for you.”

After graduation, she intends to “hit the ground running.”

“Eventually I really want to start my own business,” said Brockert, who was born and raised on Oahu and attended La Pietra-Hawaii School for Girls. She also has the travel bug and is excited about pursuing new opportunities—potentially even overseas. “You have to make the world your oyster. It’s not just going to happen,” she said. “With a positive outlook and spirit, you can accomplish anything.”

Spoken like a true Parisian.

Students Learn the Business of Finance

May 23, 2019 by University Communications & Marketing

A recent partnership between Chaminade University and Hawaii State Federal Credit Union (Hawaii State FCU) has proven to offer an invaluable real-world experience to students. Through the partnership, Chaminade business students participate in a 15-week internship at Hawaii State FCU.

Business students interning at HSFCU — Business students Mailani, Nikki and Cole

The internship program was the brainchild of Ismael Eustaquio, Chaminade alumnus and senior department manager of project development at Hawaii State FCU. As a Chaminade alum and Board of Regents member, Eustaquio thought an incredible way to give back to the community would be to pass on the knowledge and skills of Hawaii State FCU’s employees to emerging leaders at Chaminade.

“In our programs, we are always looking to help students integrate what they learn in their courses with actual industry practice,” said Dr. Schroeder. “Hawaii State Federal Credit Union thinks similarly and has blended classroom lessons and work experience into their internship program, providing a distinctive approach that aligns well with our aims at Chaminade.”

Throughout the program, Chaminade interns complete a curriculum that is divided between the classroom and the field. Program participants take 12 leadership courses, spend time rotating between the company’s 15 departments, meet regularly with a mentor and present a final group project to their mentors, Chaminade professors and the credit union’s executive board and CEO.

“My experience at Hawaii State FCU left such a remarkable impression on me and really impacted me in a way that I am able to carry on with me throughout my future endeavors,” said Mailani Faniel, recent business administration graduate. “It helped me understand people better, understand myself more clearly and learn how to do business with people from all walks of life.”

So far, two cohorts comprising three students each have completed the Hawaii State FCU internship program.