On Wednesday, April 29, the Life Design Lab community came together to celebrate a year of hard work, connection, and momentum at the Internship Academy End-of-Year Celebration. With food and a strong sense of community, the event marked an important milestone for students across the program as they wrapped up months of preparation and looked ahead to their summer experiences.
The Johns Hopkins Life Design Lab Internship Academies are designed to help students build the skills, network, and confidence needed to secure meaningful internships. Through structured curriculum, employer engagement, and peer support, students explore industries, develop professional materials, and practice navigating the recruiting process, often for the first time.
This year, the celebration brought together students from across multiple academies, including Biomedical Engineering (BME), First-Generation and/or Limited-Income (FLI), Tech, and Wall Street cohorts.
And there was a lot to celebrate.
Out of 154 students who participated in Internship Academies this year, approximately 103 have reported securing a summer experiences, including ~40 that were found and funded through the Life Design Lab’s summer scholarships program. With some students still finalizing their plans, that number is expected to grow in the coming weeks.
As Emily Murphy shared:
“On Wednesday, April 29, we gathered with our Internship Academy students to celebrate a year of hard work, connection, and momentum. With food, music, and community, we honored the dedication of our BME, FLI, Tech, and Wall Street cohorts as they completed curriculum, engaged with employers, and prepared for exciting summer experiences. We are incredibly proud of what they’ve accomplished and cannot wait to see where they go next.”
The afternoon served not just as a celebration, but as a reflection of what makes the Internship Academies impactful. Students don’t just walk away with polished resumes or interview practice. They leave with a clearer sense of direction, a stronger professional network, and the confidence to navigate spaces that may have once felt unfamiliar.
Programs like the Internship Academies are rooted in the belief that access, preparation, and community can meaningfully shape a student’s career journey. By bringing together students with shared interests and connecting them directly with industry professionals, the experience creates a bridge between exploration and opportunity.
As the academic year comes to a close, this celebration was a reminder of the progress made and the momentum still building. With 100+ students heading into summer roles across industries, the impact of this year’s cohort will extend far beyond campus.
We look forward to seeing where they go next.
