Darian Kaulahao '27, Genetics
Darian Kaulahao '27, from Rolling Hills, CA, is a Genetics major in the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture. Darian shared her experience interning for the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, which was supported by COLSA's SOAR Fund.
The SOAR Fund supports undergraduate students by providing stipends that can be used to supplement unpaid internships or pay for transportation to interviews and career events. The SOAR Fund accepts applications year-round. While all COLSA students are invited to apply, applicants with financial need are strongly encouraged.
Where did you intern and what was your title?
Genetic Counseling Intern — USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
How did you get your internship?
I submitted a cover letter, was offered an interview, and then was scheduled for a second interview to discuss logistics before being formally offered the position.
What did the day-to-day at your internship look like?
The day-to-day varies, but it may include shadowing genetic counselors on their cases, creating patient pedigrees, and attending case conferences.
What were your favorite parts of your internship? Any memorable moments?
At the time of this survey being due, we started only a few days ago, so I hope the favorite moments are still ahead!
What was the most valuable thing you learned?
See above — this is a year long program, and the most valuable thing I will have learned by next July is certainly something that lies in the future.
What are your future goals? Do you think the internship brought you closer to them?
I will be applying for genetic counseling graduate programs in the fall, and the experience I will gain in this internship is going to make an incredible difference in my applications.
Any advice for students looking for an internship?
Finding the right one can be a time investment! Sometimes we get lucky and have opportunities come to us, but it’s just as likely that the perfect internship for you is our there and waiting for you to go searching.
Tell us something you love about UNH.
I love the flexibility I have had in building my degree plan, completing Honors College requirements, and establishing extracurricular in a way that works best for me.
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