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Not everyone lands a full-time internship before graduating. Jerimaha McClain did — before his first semester even started.
He had signed up for the Taste ,Tech, and Teamwork Pre-Orientation programme, hoping to explore a new city and meet new friends before his first year at Bucknell University. The programme, which takes place off-campus in cities like Pittsburgh, isn’t your typical pre-college experience. It brings students together with alumni business leaders, offers tours of local businesses, and gives them a taste of the professional world — all free of cost.
McClain never imagined that this trip would lead to a career-changing opportunity. During the trip, he connected with Dave Skena, a Bucknell alum and Chief Brand Officer at Krispy Kreme. McClain later contacted Skena to ask if the global doughnut empire had internship opportunities.
“He took a bet on referring me to the programme solely because of where I go to school,” McClain says.
That connection led to a full-time, paid internship at Krispy Kreme in Charlotte. “I think the whole opportunity to network and start your professional career as a student before even starting the school year is huge,” he says. “The reason I got the opportunity to intern in Charlotte is because of the Bucknell network.”
A Bucknell education doesn’t just prepare students for the real world — it is the real world. Source: Bucknell University
A university that opens doors
Experiences like these aren’t rare at Bucknell. Located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, Bucknell is committed to blending liberal arts education with professional preparation. Its three distinct colleges — Arts & Sciences, Engineering, and the Freeman College of Management — encourage interdisciplinary learning, helping students connect ideas across fields. This holistic approach equips you with the skills to navigate today’s interconnected world and impress employers
With a community of just over 3,800 undergraduates, Bucknell nurtures a close-knit learning environment where students benefit from personalised attention and mentorship. Here, you’ll collaborate with accomplished faculty, tackle innovative research projects, and develop new ideas in a supportive and dynamic setting. The university offers the resources of a large institution yet retains an intimate, tailored atmosphere where you’re free to explore, grow, and thrive.
Just ask Elizabeth Malley, a biomedical engineering student who aspires to become a pediatric orthopaedics physician. “Compared to a larger school, I think we get unique experiences at Bucknell,” she says. “There are so many opportunities to grow and learn here because everyone is connected, friendly and wants to see others succeed, which is not always the case in such competitive environments.”
Upon graduation, Bucknell graduates often secure jobs with companies like Deloitte, ESPN, Google, L’Oréal, or gain admission to top graduate schools, law schools, or medical schools. Source: Bucknell University
Hands-on learning that makes a difference
Bucknell believes in learning by doing, which means you’ll be actively involved in engaging experiences from day one. With access to state-of-the-art labs, research centres, and performance spaces, you can experiment, create, and innovate. It’s an approach that sharpens critical thinking and problem-solving skills – preparing you to hit the ground running as soon as you graduate.
Malley is a student researcher in Assistant Professor Olivia Boerman‘s biomedical engineering lab, where the team is exploring solutions for healing chronic wounds. “I feel like I’m working toward a big goal,” Malley says. The lab environment is so fulfilling because everybody loves what they’re doing, and I also love the same thing.”
Malley’s Bucknell experiences extend beyond the lab to internships. She interned at a local emergency room, assisting nurses and gaining insight into patient care. “I want to understand patient care from all aspects,” she says. “When I become a doctor, I want to be the best I can be, and this helps me see the whole picture.”
And she’s not alone. McClain’s internship at Krispy Kreme offered him a window into a global corporation’s operations spanning over 40 countries. Even as a student, he found himself applying lessons from his Bucknell classes in real time. “There’s a lot of stuff that I learned in that class this past spring that I’m learning about and applying to what I’m seeing while working,” he says.
Building careers, one connection at a time
Bucknell’s alumni network of more than 56,000 members is spread worldwide. Despite their geographical distance, this is a close-knit community. Each member is dedicated to paying it forward by supporting current students, often providing crucial guidance and connections that help kick-start successful careers.
Pair that with resources found in the University’s Centre for Career Advancement (CCA), and Bucknell students gain a significant edge in preparing for the future. The CCA helps you refine your job search through career counselling, workshops and assessment tests, linking you with opportunities to help you test the waters and gain crucial real-world experience.
Cheyanne Stunger, an art history and political science graduate, is a product of this support system. While at Bucknell, she worked at the Samek Art Museum, an experience that laid the foundation for her career. With the help of her Bucknell connections — notably the Samek’s director — she now curates exhibits at the Harvard Art Museums.
“Bucknell started me off in the right direction, and so many people have already served as mentors in my career,” she says. “It’s empowering to have this whole network of connections that has supported and inspired me — and I’m excited for what the future holds.”
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