Student Internship Spotlight: Mia Clevano
Class of 2026, Capital Speakers Club Scholarship Recipient
Internship:
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington
Degree:
Double major in Communication and Interdisciplinary Studies (Theology and Religious Studies)
Duration:
Five months
Location:
Arlington, Va.
What brought you to Marymount?
I’m originally from Durango, Colo., but my grandmother’s aunt was Sr. Irene Cody, one of the nuns who lived and worked at Marymount for many years. The Cody Gallery is actually named after her, which is awesome! I always knew of Marymount, so when I decided I wanted to study politics to become a lawyer someday, I knew being close to D.C. would open lots of doors for me. I am the first person in my family to go to college, and the fact that I came to Marymount is a full-circle moment for me.
How has your overall Marymount experience been so far?
It’s been great! I’ve had the opportunity to be involved in lots of different campus organizations such as the Honors Program, flag football and the graphic design club, which have added to my overall experience. Over the past three years, I have also learned a lot about myself and what I want to do long term. I came to Marymount as a Politics major, thinking I would go straight to law school after graduation. But I switched my major to Communication and found that it’s much closer to what I want. I also got to go to Oxford with the Honors Program this past summer and study theology and religious studies, which I fell in love with. Now, I’m working on a research paper about the political influence of religion in the U.S., and I hope to get both a law degree and a master’s in religious studies in the future. A lot has changed since I arrived, but I’m grateful for the opportunities that have led me to these new interests!
Tell us about your internship with Catholic Charities.
Last semester, I knew I had to complete an internship as a graduation requirement, and I wanted to find something that blended my interests in communications and religion. When I saw the Catholic Charities internship, it seemed like a great fit! I worked as a community outreach intern and my main focus was getting people interested in volunteering and helping with the Catholic Charities mission. I went to many fairs throughout the area to try and find volunteers. I also worked specifically with the migration and refugee services department within Catholic Charities, helping immigrants coming into the area by connecting them to the right people and resources they would need to get settled. I learned a lot about immigrants’ struggles and how we can best serve them in their time of need.
How did Marymount prepare you for this internship experience?
There was never a day during this internship when I felt like I lacked any particular skill, which was very empowering. The Communication program is comprehensive and the hands-on learning experience that Marymount students get translates well into the workforce. I was already used to working with my professors and peers in small group settings, so it was easy for me to work quickly and efficiently during my internship. I think Marymount prepared me at every level for the work I would be doing at Catholic Charities, making me stand out from the crowd.
What is your advice to other students looking for internships?
We have great campus resources, so make sure to use them! The Center for Career Development and Community Engagement made finding and applying for an internship easy. They walked me through every step of the process and helped me perfect my résumé, making it as strong as possible. Marymount is such a supportive community, so ask your professors, deans and administrators if they know of any internship opportunities. In my experience, everyone has always been very supportive and eager to help however they can.
