Striving Higher, Building Skills, and Finding Purpose

​Each summer, hundreds if not thousands of Driehaus students spread out to companies across Chicagoland, the nation, and even the world to put their skills to the test. In fact, 39% of Driehaus students will complete an internship during their time at DePaul.  

Below, three students — two of them from Driehaus and one of them, Ayra Mudessir, a neuroscience student who has been extensively involved in entrepreneurship at the college — reflect on their internship experiences.  

Read on to hear about how they’re gaining technical skills, finding mentors, and making their way.  

Introducing the interns​​

Rachel Bradshaw, Sports Business ’24 
Event Management Intern with Chicago Sport and Social Club 

Ayra Mudessir, Neuroscience ’25 
Founder, Success Seekers  
Northwestern Medicine Premed Summer Internship 

Akash Pondicherry, Business Administration ’25 
Business Data Analyst, Allstate Health Benefits 

On the projects that inspire them...  

RB: I’ve been working on a ton of projects every week with this internship. My main focus has been with Big City Pickle. I help build quotes for private events as well as working on the pickleball courts as site manager. There are so many ins and outs that go along with helping companies or parties plan their pickleball outings. There is a lot that goes into planning and then executing when the day arrives. I’ve learned and grown a lot. 

AM: I worked on a research project involving cirrhosis (end-stage liver disease) which can cause complications, specifically hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Specifically, I researched Rifaximin. It is the only available treatment for HE; however, it is difficult to obtain due to its high cost. I reviewed patient charts to gather data and created a comprehensive patient handout consisting of steps that can be taken to obtain Rifaximin in a cost-effective way, based on insurance status.  

What made this quality improvement project especially valuable was the team effort involving hospitalists, liver specialists, and GI doctors. 

AP: This summer, I am working on a project that involves analyzing customers' insurance policies and their data to determine which policies are performing better.  

This project has been exciting because it allows me to combine my data analysis skills with visualization tools to deliver actionable insights. I use SQL, a programming language, to conduct my analyses. Once I have gathered and analyzed the data, I utilize the Sisense reporting tool to create a dashboard, which I then present to my manager and various higher-ups.  

It's been a challenge to master the intricacies of Sisense. But by leveraging online resources and seeking guidance from colleagues, I have been able to effectively create impactful dashboards. ​

On how Driehaus helped them succeed...  

AM: DePaul truly offered me the best of both worlds. As a young entrepreneur, Driehaus gave me the opportunity to pursue my passion for business and entrepreneurship along side being a premed student.  

I don’t see most schools offering opportunities for student entrepreneurs from diverse majors like Driehaus does. I am so grateful that I can express my creative and entrepreneurial side without sacrificing my love for science and medicine. 

AP: Taking BUS 102 with Professor Thomas Walker last summer has proven incredibly valuable during my internship. The professional-level Excel training I received in his class has been instrumental, as I frequently rely on these skills in my work.   

Additionally, BUS 202 with Professor Diane Tarkowski has been particularly beneficial. The in-depth training in creating and managing business data processes, including the use of MS Visio, has been directly applicable and has greatly enhanced my contributions to the team. 

On navigating the workplace...  ​

AP: Working with remote and international colleagues has been an eye-opening part of my internship. I've had to figure out how to collaborate effectively with people in different time zones, which was a bit of a surprise. For example, one of my projects involves teaming up with a data engineer in India and another in Ireland. It's definitely different from what I expected, but it's been a great learning experience in how to manage global teamwork. 

RB: I am especially grateful for my manager, Lynn Clementi. Lynn has taught me so much in the last month. She has made it such a safe space for me to ask questions, learn, grow and make mistakes. 

AM: I learned the importance of approaching work with a positive and open-minded attitude. I always came ready to learn and ask questions, while remaining professional.  

The best part was the once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that this program offered. I learned something new every day. I met incredibly talented physicians who go out of their way to help students learn. I stood next to the surgeon in the OR and watched her remove tumors. I truly fell in love with the welcoming and supportive environment and the teaching culture at Northwestern Medicine. 

On where they’re going next...  ​

RB: I wouldn’t have gotten my degree in Sports Business if I didn’t think that the sports industry would be a passion of mine. But when I graduated, I didn’t have a specific job in mind. 

This internship has given me a perspective on all the options within the sports industry. It’s helped me realize the importance of event management jobs like this one. Although I wouldn’t mind learning and being a part of other departments, I have thoroughly enjoyed event planning. I can see myself being a part of this department in my future. I can’t wait to see what my future holds.   

AM: My experience this summer at Northwestern Medicine has been transformative. I always aspired to be a physician, but this summer, my excitement was boundless as I observed life-saving procedures, interacted with patients, and networked with world experts.  

At orientation, we were told that this program is harder to get into than medical school! That gave me confidence to strive higher and to be even more ambitious. 

Throughout the summer, I noticed that I haven’t seen a single physician who resembled me – a visibly Muslim female. As someone deeply passionate about addressing racial disparities in healthcare, I took it upon myself to inspire girls from similar backgrounds, and to show them that we are equally capable of achieving success as anybody else. This is why I use my voice and image to empower underrepresented youth in both medicine and in business. 
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