Welcome to our Infosys Foundation USA 2022 Summer Interns

This summer, the Infosys Foundation USA welcomes two dyanmic future leaders to its team. Let’s meet Helen and Rachel!

1. Please introduce yourself - where are you from, where do you go to school and what do you study?

Rachel: I am from Wilton, Connecticut and I attend McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. I am pursuing a degree in Political Science with minors in Economics and Communications.

Helen: I am from San Diego, CA. I just finished my first year at The University of Texas at Austin. I'm pursuing my Master's in Public Affairs, focusing on education policy and data analysis.

2. What about your summer In-STEP internship with the Infosys Foundation USA are you most excited about and what do you hope to learn?

R: I love the global nature of the In-STEP internship program and the opportunity to connect with fellow interns from around the world. Working with the Infosys Foundation USA, I hope to learn how a corporate foundation partners with federal, state, and local governments to help achieve the shared goals of promoting digital literacy and computer science.

H: I am interested in expanding educational access and opportunity, particularly looking at impacting STEM education through an equity lens. Therefore, I'm looking forward to learning about bringing maker education and computer science education to underprivileged and unserved communities.

3. What part of K12 STEM education most intrigues you?

R: I am most interested by the Foundation’s commitment to promoting STEM education for young girls. I want to help middle-school age students build confidence in their knowledge and consider pursuing a STEM education path. Since one of the Foundations’ goals is to inspire young girls with computer science, I am very excited about the work I will accomplish this summer.

H: Everything! K12 STEM education impacts a child's life in so many ways. so it's hard to choose just one thing. If I had to choose one thing however, I think it would be seeing how K12 STEM education empowers children to shape their dreams into reality.

4. What are your career aspirations

R: I am passionate about the real-world impact of public policy, especially in topic areas related to underserved communities. I want to be personally immersed in the implementation of critical public policy impacting today’s world. Whether I am working in the private or public sphere, my goal is to be where I can create the most positive change.

H: I hope to pursue a career in the education sphere working for corporate social responsibility division of a company or for a government agency. I'm interested in a position relating to analyzing and advocating for policies and programs that impact academic equity.

5. What media, podcasts, blogs, news outlets do you use?

R: I enjoy learning all I can about the current events of the world. Daily, I listen to the latest NPR and New York Times podcasts. Weekly, I read the newest additions of the Economist. I have a news channel playing in the background during most of my daily activities. I also enjoy non-traditional forms of news media, including Instagram and Tiktok. I use these media sources to better understand the world around me.

H: I follow WSJ What's News, EdSource, and Education Next to try to keep up with what's happening in the world. On a less serious note, I enjoy scrolling through Reddit and The Onion.

6. If you want to share an interesting fact, or something unexpected about your career / life journey so far?

R: I have a personal passion for the inter-working of international government agencies and organizations. When I am not studying or working, I am participating in inter-collegiate Model United Nations competitions. Additionally, I support local Quebec secondary schools by helping them develop debate and research skills. I also enjoy spending time with my two golden retrievers, Rosie and Charlie.

H: I really like learning more about cultures, interacting with diverse groups of people, and exploring new places, so traveling has always been a big priority. I've traveled to over 20 countries and 25 states! My goal is to one day visit all 50 states in America.