Intern Story

Meet Gage Curry – Intern Fall 2023

Where did you intern?

I interned for The Mary Ellen Ryder Linguistics Lab.

What was the best part of your experience?

The best part of my experience working in the lab was working with experts in the field of Linguistics. I also got to meet many other students as well as faculty from other departments. 

What tip(s) do you have for students who are applying for or completing internships?

The best advice I have for future interns or current ones is don’t be afraid to ask questions. Do not worry about being perfect, this is the time to learn and grow your skills.

Why were you drawn to this internship?

I had just switched my major and figured there was no better way than jumping in deep and absorbing as much as I could.

Was there a Linguistics class that helped you be successful in this internship? What skills have you learned in the program that you are using in your internship?

Since I am still new to the Linguistics program, I found Linguistics 305 (Intro to Linguistics) very helpful. It shed light on some of the topics that are to come later on in the program as well as helped me to find what aspects of linguistics I like the most.

What would you tell somebody who is thinking about pursuing a degree in Linguistics?

I would tell someone who is interested in pursuing linguistics that there are other people just like you who are interested in the systems of language and communication. Not only is there a growing linguist community, linguistics applies to more things in life than one might think! Employers are looking for those that are good communicators and understand the nuance of language.