On this year’s National Intern Day, the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), part of UL Research Institutes, is celebrating our five new summer interns. FSRI’s internship program includes a diverse array of roles and opportunities for young professionals to contribute to our mission while providing relevant experiences and development for our interns. Meet FSRI’s interns and learn more about their work this summer.
Ashlyn Bonner is a marketing intern who assists FSRI’s public education efforts on the Outreach and Engagement team. Ashlyn is a rising senior double-majoring in psychology and English at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. At St. Mary’s, she is a co-captain of the women’s soccer team and is a member of Psi Chi (the International Honor Society in Psychology), Sigma Tau Delta (the International Honor Society in English), and Chi Alpha Sigma (the National Student-Athlete Honor Society).
“My internship at FSRI has been extremely beneficial, as I have received real-world professional experience and have had the opportunity to work with amazing people. I have been able to have a huge role in many projects spanning from public relations to marketing, which has not only entrenched me in these professions but also helped me contribute to the difference FSRI is making in the world. I have been able to learn so much in this role and from working in this organization, making this internship a unique and rewarding opportunity!”
Sydney O’Clery is a multimedia design intern supporting our digital media production team on various projects, such as NERIS webinars, voiceover videos, and Fire Safety Academy course development. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Science in film and television at Hofstra University. Sydney is grateful for the opportunity to expand upon her visual storytelling skills, most particularly video editing and production, through her internship with FSRI.
"As a multimedia design intern at FSRI, I’ve been working closely with the Digital Media Production team on updating the branding for existing courses in the Fire Safety Academy, as well as helping film and edit the hands-on training toolkits and promotional videos for the toolkits and resource library. This internship has been such a valuable opportunity for me, allowing me to observe the planning and collaboration between teams that go into each project, as well as build and operate equipment I’ve never used before. I’ve received so much valuable guidance from the DMP team, whether it be an editing technique or advice for entering the film industry, and I’m just absorbing everything I can from this experience!"
Lauryn Price is a marketing intern on the Outreach and Engagement team. She is a senior at Bowie State University pursuing her degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing. Additionally, she is a member of Delta Mu Delta, an international business honor society that recognizes BSU’s top students. Before joining the FSRI team, Lauryn worked in the human capital division at the Department of Health and Human Services as an administrative student trainee.
“My internship experience has been invaluable. Throughout my time as an intern, I have had the opportunity to grow personally and professionally through the various programs made available to us while also gaining valuable work experience in my field of study. Being able to work on public education and marketing projects has helped me hone my skills and given me the knowledge I need going into my career. The people I have met have made the greatest impact on me; I will cherish the connections I have made through this internship forever. ULRI's internship program does a great job of giving their students the tools needed to succeed."
Zahin Ritee is a research intern with FSRI and a ULRI GEM fellow, a part of the National GEM Consortium. She supports FSRI’s laser capabilities by measuring water vapor loss using the Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy method. Zahin is a recent graduate of Columbia University with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering, and she holds a Bachelor of Science in physics from Adelphi University.
“In my FSRI internship, I am working on the proof of concept to upgrade Controlled Atmosphere Pyrolysis Apparatus (CAPA) exhaust for simultaneous water vapor measurement. I have done a literature review, designed the experiment, created the setup, run multiple tests, and done the data analysis for the project. I love it at FSRI! My work here perfectly aligns with my background.”
Kaylin Ryan is a graphic design intern who has been assisting in the creation of multiple creative projects and designing digital assets. Kaylin is a recent graduate from York College of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design and a minor in art history. With over half a decade of experience, Kaylin specializes in typography, branding design, publication design, and print production.
“Since the beginning of my internship, I have been working with the Outreach and Engagement team to rebrand our public educational resources. Through this project, I have learned rebranding and teamwork through firsthand experience. Soon, we will begin design projects for Fire Prevention Week, which is so important! I love creating work that actually makes an impact, and this internship has been so fulfilling so far.”
FSRI is grateful to witness and support the efforts of our interns not only during the summer but also throughout their careers. FSRI’s internship program develops young professionals as they contribute to our mission of addressing unsolved safety risks in the world. FSRI is proud that over the years, many of our interns have successfully continued their careers at FSRI after graduation.
