EXPERIENCE IN THE FIELD

NURSING

For Ashley Jailall ’27, a summer spent learning alongside nurses at Glen Cove Hospital built her clinical skills and helped her see her future.

Jailall, a nursing student from Jamaica, New York, was selected for a summer nursing externship at Glen Cove hospital with support and guidance from faculty in the Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies (SONPA). The opportunity immersed her in the day-to-day responsibilities of nursing while allowing her to rotate through specialties across the hospital, including the intensive care unit and emergency department.  

“I was able to see my future in a way,” she said. “I was very happy, and it was a great way to end my externship.”

Now returning to Hofstra for her final year, Jailall brings new skills, greater confidence and a clearer sense of her future.

“I am ready to enter my last year of nursing school and continue my journey as a nursing student,” she said.

Political Science

Hofstra University student Elif Polat ’27 gained firsthand experience in public service this summer through an internship with Suffolk County Legislator Jason Richberg.

As someone planning to attend law school, Polat was eager to better understand how government serves the public. What she encountered on the job surprised her.

“Elif asked me what she could do to make the most of her last summer as a college undergrad,” Scott recalled. “We discussed different options and decided she should apply to the Suffolk County Legislature’s PAGE Internship Program, where students get to join the team of their local legislator. Elif is very interested in a career in advocacy, and working to address the concerns of her local community was of great interest to her. She has been a gem throughout this whole process, and it pleases me to know she’s just soaking in all this knowledge and experience.”

Polat credits Scott with helping her find an opportunity that aligned with her interests.

“Brittany took the time to get to know my interests and career goals, and she encouraged me to apply because she believed it would be a great fit,” Polat said. “I’m incredibly grateful for her guidance and support throughout the process.”

The experience has broadened Polat’s understanding of public service and expanded what she sees as possible after law school.

“I always thought my goal was to become an attorney, but this internship has shown me that there are many ways I could use a Juris Doctor beyond practicing law,” Polat said. “This opportunity opened doors I didn’t even know existed.”

Business Analytics

Ana Ramirez Angulo ’28 applied her business analytics studies to community outreach during a summer internship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

The business analytics major from Lido Beach, New York, served as a community engagement intern in the center’s Marketing and Communications Department. Her responsibilities included organizing a guest speaker database, developing an event portfolio, communicating with community partners, and supporting outreach across Long Island, Westchester, and Harlem.

The internship gave Ramirez Angulo firsthand experience at a mission-driven organization, where she saw professionals from different disciplines collaborate toward a common purpose.

“Hofstra has helped me get here by giving me opportunities to build genuine relationships,” she said. “I found this internship through the relationships I’ve built.”

POLITICAL SCIENCE/CRIMINOLOGY

Hofstra University student Dayanna Rubio-Chacon ’28 gained hands-on experience in local government while working in the office of New York State Assembly Member Noah Burroughs.

Chacon has assisted with constituent services, supported community events, helped organize a homeownership workshop for local residents, and taken on social media responsibilities for the office. Her contributions were deemed so essential that the office moved her from an internship into a paid position.

After taking a week to settle in, Chacon quickly began taking on many of the responsibilities of a staff member – answering phones, managing constituent concerns, and assisting at events. She also introduced Assembly Member Burroughs at a homeownership workshop at the Roosevelt Public Library.

The experience has helped Chacon develop new skills and greater confidence in her abilities.

“One lesson I’ve learned from this internship is that, as cheesy as it sounds, I really can do anything I put my mind to,” Chacon said. “Did I know how to create professional-looking Instagram posts for a government official before this internship? No. Did I know how to write a professional quote or make legislation digestible for constituents? Of course not. But I learned through trial and error, feedback, and a willingness to make changes along the way. The staff recognized my efforts and were delighted with my work. I didn’t know how quickly I could learn and improve my skills until I had this experience.”

While connecting Hofstra students with internships is not technically part of Scott’s responsibilities, she enjoys helping students find the same kind of career-launching experiences that shaped her own path.

“It’s not in my official job description, but it’s something I’ve adopted,” Scott said. “As I’m meeting more students and we’re talking, I let them know that I will do anything I can to help them be successful.”

Music Business/public relations

Castel Ruiz ’27 was a fan of Broadway in Bryant Park long before they experienced it from backstage.

The annual summer series, which Ruiz attended for years with their mother, introduced them to the world of Broadway musicals. Then, while taking the class Entertainment Publicity and Promotion, Ruiz was surprised to learn that their professor, Hofstra alumna Danielle Dellilo ’01, ’21, was the producer of the event. Ruiz took a chance and texted Dellilo, asking if it would be possible to work alongside her over the summer 2026.

Dellilo was happy to extend an invitation for Ruiz to shadow her, giving the Hofstra music business major opportunities to work alongside Broadway performers, develop technical and organizational skills, and understand the importance of keeping a live show on schedule.

“It was interesting to see how everyone works together and how all different moving parts have to be well coordinated to produce an amazing show,” Ruiz said.

Their Hofstra classes helped them make sense of those moving parts. Coursework with Terry Tompkins, assistant professor and coordinator of the Music Business program, introduced them to industry careers and the business of live events. Creating a mock marketing plan for an artist’s album taught them about publicity and promotion.

Dellilo, an adjunct instructor of journalism, media studies, and public relations, draws on her own Hofstra experience when welcoming students into the industry. A two-time alumna, she began her entertainment career at WRHU-FM and now works in promotions and public relations for iHeartMedia New York.

She has a history of bringing Hofstra students with her behind the scenes of high-profile events, such as the MTV Video Music Awards and Z100’s Jingle Ball. Offering young people access to live event production is her way of paying forward the support she received as a student.

“It’s important to remember who helped and guided you when you were a student,” Dellilo said. “For me, those people were Bruce Avery and Ed Ingles at WRHU and Professors Ellen Frisina and Susan Drucker. They made Hofstra home for me. I’m honoring them when I’m giving my students these amazing opportunities.”

For Ruiz, reaching out to Dellilo turned a familiar music series into a professional development experience. They left with a better understanding of live entertainment and a stronger appreciation for the faculty connections that can help students find their way in a competitive industry. “This summer definitely helped me in many more ways than I expected it to,” they said.

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Adriel Ventura ’27, is getting an extended look at life as a professional engineer through a six-to-eight-month co-op that is putting his Hofstra education to work.

The mechanical engineering student from Central Islip, New York, is completing a co-op at Stellant Systems, where he works on projects ranging from 3D modeling and heat transfer simulations to developing components for use in the company’s lab.

The experience is also helping prepare Ventura for his long-term goal of pursuing graduate study in aerospace engineering and eventually building a career in the aerospace industry.

His advice to students considering a co-op reflects what he has learned from the experience. “Don’t apply when you think you’re ready,” Ventura said. “Most people aren’t…apply anyway.”