Student Internship Spotlight: Shelby Thompson
Class of 2025
Degree:
Internship:
U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
Duration:
10 months
Location:
Washington, D.C.
Where are you from and what brought you to Marymount?
I’m originally from the DMV area, near National Harbor in Maryland. I grew up there but spent a lot of time in Virginia as I went to high school in McLean. That made me familiar with the area surrounding Marymount University, which definitely influenced my decision. I first heard about Marymount from a friend whose brother attended, and that connection sparked my interest. When I looked into the University more, I realized it was the right balance for me—close enough to home that I could visit when I wanted, but still far enough away that it gave me the freedom to grow independently and experience something new. That combination made it feel like the perfect fit for the next chapter of my life.
How was your Marymount experience?
My time at Marymount was a major period of growth for me, both personally and professionally. Like many freshmen, I started out unsure of what to expect—new environment, living on my own, meeting new people and not knowing exactly what my future held. But over time, especially between my junior and senior years, I experienced tremendous development. A turning point was when one of my professors connected me with an internship that turned out to be life-changing. Balancing coursework and real-world job responsibilities helped me mature and find confidence in my abilities. The classes I took in the Graphic Design program played a huge role in shaping my creative skills and artistic identity. Overall, Marymount was more than just a school—it was a place where I learned valuable life lessons that I will carry with me into the future.
What were your main duties and responsibilities as an intern in the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM)?
During my time at OPM, I served as an administrative assistant to the Acting Director, Rob Shriver. One of my core responsibilities was preparing weekly briefing binders that included materials for all of his meetings, which were often high-level and extremely important. I also managed scheduling and had to stay on top of any changes to make sure meetings could be rearranged efficiently when needed. I worked on the WAR (Weekly Activity Report), which involved collecting and compiling updates from various government departments into one cohesive document.
In addition to administrative tasks, I was involved in more creative initiatives. I wrote for the intern newsletter, Internally Speaking, where I shared tips and advice for other interns. I also led a special project to create a digital cookbook filled with recipes and personal stories submitted by staff. Overall, it was a diverse role that blended organization, communication and creativity.
What was the highlight of your internship?
The highlight for me was being asked to design a mural for one of the office’s large lunchroom walls. Being trusted to create a permanent, visual piece of art for a federal office felt surreal. I submitted four different concepts for a long wall in the lunchroom area, and one of my designs was chosen to be produced and installed. Knowing my artwork will be part of that space and seen by employees every day is such a powerful feeling. It made me feel like I left a tangible mark on the organization—not just as an intern, but as a creative professional. It was a proud moment and truly reinforced why I love graphic design.
How did this internship help you grow and change?
Going into the OPM internship, I was just looking for job experience. Honestly, I wasn’t sure how beneficial it would be, especially since it wasn’t strictly a graphic design role. But it turned out to be one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had. I had the opportunity to do things that stretched my abilities in unexpected ways, like improving my writing speed and clarity through working on the intern newsletter. I also interacted with professionals who became incredible mentors. I originally thought a government office might be too serious or rigid for someone with my creative background, but I was surprised by how warm and supportive the environment was. This experience opened my eyes to possibilities beyond what I thought graphic designers could do, and it gave me skills that made me a more versatile and well-rounded professional.
How did Marymount prepare you for this internship?
Marymount helped me build a strong foundation in both soft skills and technical abilities. Writing research papers and giving class presentations helped me handle responsibilities like composing internal communications and delivering project updates to senior staff. On the design side, my coursework taught me how to use industry-standard tools like Adobe Illustrator and InDesign. These became essential for creative projects I took on during my internship, like designing a cookbook and developing mural concepts. The University also instilled in me a sense of professionalism and organization that I carried into the workplace. All in all, Marymount equipped me with the knowledge, confidence and discipline I needed to succeed.
