2024 Outstanding Co-op/Intern of the Year Award Winners

Throughout my undergraduate studies, I have worked hard to gain experience in a variety of physical therapy settings, seeking opportunities that would allow me to develop my understanding of patient care. My background as a collegiate cross country and track athlete exposed me to the challenges of injury recovery, which sparked my interest in the physical therapy profession. I have always been interested in human movement, and helping others reach their goals.

This past spring, I had the opportunity to work at Athletico Physical Therapy, where I gained hands-on experience in orthopedic rehabilitation. My role as a rehabilitation aide allowed me to assist patients with their exercise programs, correct form, and ensure they were progressing safely under the supervision of physical therapists. I learned a lot about not only how the therapists treat patients but how others play a vital factor into running the clinic. I also developed skills in patient education, explaining how each exercise would help them and answer any questions they might have. Additionally, I gained confidence in clinic operations, administrative tasks such as scheduling, and effectively communicating with patients. It was a valuable opportunity to apply what I had been learning in my classes to patient care. This internship reinforced my passion for physical therapy by allowing me to apply my academic knowledge in a clinical setting while strengthening my communication and problem-solving skills.

After growing my confidence in a clinical setting at Athletico Physical Therapy, I took on the challenge of volunteering in an underserved community in Costa Rica this past summer. During my three-week experience, I was able to practice the skills I learned to serve a wide variety of individuals with complex neurologic and orthopedic conditions. In a community with limited healthcare access and long wait times, we were able to take in more patients in a shorter amount of time. I assisted with manual therapy techniques, stretching, dry needling, cupping, electrotherapy and explaining exercises to patients. This experience deepened my understanding of global healthcare disparities and reinforced my commitment to advocating for accessible rehabilitation services. It has been rewarding in my internship and volunteering after it to help patients return to their activities. I do not feel that I would have taken this step if it were not for the confidence I gained through my internship last spring. I am grateful for my experience at Athletico Physical Therapy and the opportunities it has brought me. I am excited to begin the Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program in the upcoming summer.

“I want adventure in the great wide somewhere.”

When I first began studying animation throughout my homeschool education, I marveled at the beauty and complexity of life - the thought put into every action. I spent hours every day practicing and studying the works of famous cartoons like Tom & Jerry, Looney Tunes, and classic Disney animations. Belle was my favorite Disney Princess growing up. I admired her assertiveness, intelligence, and confidence. Not only were her traits admirable, but the animation had me immersed in the story every time. These films and cartoons were my definition of animation, and served as my compass on the path that led me to Bradley.

Throughout my Freshman and Sophomore years at Bradley, I put my all into 2D Animation and Design. I directed a short film, placed in global contests, and even received the Applied Excellence in Animation award both years. One day during my Sophomore year, however, something caught my attention. A start-up game studio in Peoria, KFLO Entertainment, was posted on BradleyNETWORK. I decided to look into it, as games had always been an enjoyable hobby of mine, and after seeing the work produced in my department in Game Design, it seemed like an interesting venture to look into. After multiple conversations with the CEO, Karl Flower, I was offered a position to work with his company, the first internship they had ever opened up or offered.

Working as a 2D Art and Animation Intern allowed me to try all new things in animation and design, and I was tasked with a multitude of responsibilities that offered a new challenge every day. I experienced the process of advertisement development, merchandising, in-app artwork, logo animations, motion graphics, and video compositing. Some of my merchandise development was even given out to major guest speakers at tech events throughout the country, and my work was actively used for the development of a mobile app and web design.

Not only did I gain experience with various specialties in design, but I also developed incredible fluency in industry-standard software. My skill sets in the Adobe Creative Cloud, Toon Boom Harmony, and Wordpress skyrocketed, and I am now comfortable and confident in my abilities to competently and successfully use a variety of industry software. Ultimately, I realized animation is everywhere, and there were so many routes I could explore to immerse myself in the wonderful world of creative development and design.

While I loved the animated films I grew up watching, I have also grown to love the other animations I see in my daily life through advertising, logo animations, title cards, and music video compositing. Like Belle said, she “wants adventure in the great wide somewhere,” and I too want it more than I can tell. My internship allowed me to prepare myself for the possibilities attached to animation, and I am thankful for the opportunity to experience multiple facets of entertainment and motion."

Going into Bradley as a Biomedical Science major, never in a million years did I expect to be leaving Bradley with a desire to pursue human resources. My passion for exploring my curiosity for living things and the functions behind them were strong, but that all changed when I was hired as a Resident Advisor in University Hall. With this position, I discovered a new passion to help others in good times and bad, foster a community, and be known as a reliable source of information for those who need it. This new passion was so strong, I decided to switch my major to Management and Leadership with a concentration in Human Resources Management.

While exploring this area I still held a love for biology, which led me to talk to an OSF recruiter at the Smith Career Center’s Resume Critique Day. I asked her about an Employee Relations internship I saw online and she told me to apply. Next thing I knew, I was walking into OSF’s headquarters downtown.

As OSF’s first Employee Relations Intern, I had the unique opportunity to pioneer this role and help define its responsibilities for future interns. During this time, I gained hands-on experience in employment law, organizational policies, and employee management systems. I managed critical tasks independently, including processing employee termination workflows across OSF's Illinois and Michigan locations. Additionally, I had the opportunity to develop skills in creating educational materials, observing case investigations, verifying sensitive information, consulting managers on policies and employment law, and providing empathetic listening. I have also gained experience in commonly used employment management software such as UKG Pro and ServiceNow, which are integral for performing day-to-day HR job functions.

This internship has been pivotal in shaping my career aspirations in HR. Through my relationships with the Employee Relations Team, my knowledge and values have grown immensely, and I feel more confident in my ability to help others through my career. Collaborating with OSF’s legal team has also deepened my understanding of employment law updates, further enhancing my classroom knowledge and professional growth. Additionally, I’ve gained more knowledge of the healthcare industry and how HR fits into this area.

This experience has also given me the confidence to network with HR professionals at Bradley’s Career Fair. These connections have helped me further advance my career by attending the Heart of Illinois Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) events and preparing for the SHRM certification to become a certified HR professional. I sincerely thank OSF and Bradley for this opportunity, and I hope to never stop continuing to advance my knowledge and applying my innate curiosity to learning more about HR.

In the summer of 2024, I began an internship at Martin Engineering Company, a consulting engineering firm in Springfield, IL. The firm does a high volume of development for the City of Springfield and many other small surrounding communities. At the beginning of the internship, I sat down with my supervisor as we discussed and set goals to achieve through the experience. I have become advanced in my ability to utilize AutoCAD for project design. I have a heightened understanding of civil design as well as its physical applications in construction. I also have supervised and learned about the full construction process, from the initial surveying of properties to the end of construction.

My time at Martin Engineering Company last summer and this winter break has allowed me to be creative and use my problem-solving skills on projects from the design phase to completion. I have worked alongside the engineers and survey crews learning all aspects of the company. I have been involved in small and large projects, inspected work in the field, and attended client meetings.

I have nothing but respect for everyone at Martin Engineering Company. Being a small firm, the staff, engineers, and surveyors are both coworkers and friends. I would never walk into a common area and not receive a smile or a “What’s up!”. They have provided me with guidance at every level. My internship at Martin Engineering has given me valuable hands-on experience, allowing me to work on real-world projects and deepen my understanding of engineering principles. I’m excited to continue learning and growing, with the goal of making a lasting impact in the field of civil engineering.

Overall, I am blessed with the opportunity that Martin Engineering Company has given me to become the best civil engineer I can be and I am excited where they will take me in the future. I am also very fortunate to have the faculty at Bradley University to act as a guide and resource for my future.

From a young age, I knew I wanted to work with animals, but my experience during my veterinary internship in Malawi solidified my passion for wildlife medicine and conservation. As a Biomedical Science major on the pre-veterinary track at Bradley University, I had the incredible opportunity to intern at Lilongwe Wildlife Trust, where I gained hands-on experience treating a variety of rescued animals.

During my time at the rehabilitation center, I took on multiple roles, including administering daily medications, assisting in surgeries, and providing critical care for orphaned animals in emergency situations. I worked closely with vervet monkeys, stitching up wounds from bite injuries, and played a role in integrating yellow baboons, vervet monkeys, and blue monkeys into new social groups. I also worked with serval kittens and adult servals, as well as hyenas during their integration process. One of the most intense moments of my internship was amputating a pangolin's leg—a procedure that tested my surgical skills and required me to make quick decisions under pressure.

This experience gave me a deeper understanding of wildlife medicine, the challenges of conservation work, and the importance of adaptability in veterinary care. I am incredibly grateful for the mentorship and hands-on training I received, and I look forward to applying these skills as I continue my journey toward becoming a veterinarian.