DWS 2026 Summer Internships Provide Tremendous Experience - Part I

DURHAM – Over the summer, several members of the Duke women's soccer team once again had the opportunity to serve as interns with a variety of companies, gaining valuable hands-on experience in their chosen fields before graduation. Below is Part I of an inside look at the internships and the opportunities these student-athletes experienced.

Lauren Martinho
Junior
Cary, NC

Lincoln International Future Initiative - Healthcare Investment Banking Program

Job Duties:
This summer, I had the amazing opportunity to participate in Lincoln International's Future Initiative, a three-day immersive healthcare investment banking program in New York City.

Lincoln International is a leading global boutique investment bank specializing in mergers and acquisitions, capital advisory, private funds advisory, valuations, and other strategic financial transactions. Throughout the program, I gained firsthand exposure to the firm's Healthcare Group and learned how investment bankers collaborate to advise companies through complex transactions and strategic decisions.

During my incredibly insightful time at Lincoln, I shadowed analysts and associates, participated in technical workshops covering valuation and financial modeling, and followed the lifecycle of a sell-side M&A process from initial client meetings through closing. I gained valuable knowledge through attending discussions with members of the Healthcare Group on live transactions, reviewing pitch materials, and simply having the chance to network with all the individuals across multiple levels of the firm. Beyond the technical experience, I developed a greater appreciation for the qualities that make an investment banker successful, especially strong communication and organization. Everyone in the Healthcare Group exemplified these qualities at the highest level. Overall, the program strengthened my interest in pursuing a career in investment banking and gave me a deeper understanding of the industry.

On My Experience:
"I honestly was not sure what to expect going into my time at Lincoln International, but it exceeded any expectations I could have had. Roddy O'Neill and everyone I met throughout the firm created an incredibly welcoming environment and were genuinely invested in helping us learn. Every experience reinforced my interest in investment banking, and I really enjoyed my time inside and outside of the office. What stood out to me most, though, was the people and their passion for their work. Their willingness to mentor us student-athletes and share their experiences made a lasting impression on me, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to learn from such an accomplished team."

Mia Oliaro
Senior
Chapel Hill, N.C.

Title: Deloitte Student-Athlete Leadership Experience
Location: Westlake, Texas

Summary:
This summer, I was selected to participate in the Student-Athlete Leadership Experience, presented by Deloitte with support from the Deloitte Foundation. The program is designed to help a highly selective group of NCAA student-athletes transition from athletic excellence to career success after graduation.

At The Deloitte Leadership Center, I took part in workshops on building a personal brand as a student-athlete, learning how to define what makes my story distinct and communicate that clearly to future employers. I also sat in on lectures focused on navigating the transition from competitive athletics into the professional workforce, covering everything from mindset shifts to practical career planning. As part of the summit, I completed mock interviews and case preparation to sharpen how I present my experience and answer questions under pressure. I attended sessions on elite-level performance, drawing connections between what it takes to compete at the highest level in sport and what it takes to succeed in a career. Throughout the program, I had the chance to network with student-athletes from schools across the country as well as Deloitte professionals, many of whom were former student-athletes themselves and could speak firsthand to the transition I'm preparing for.

Going into this fall trying to balance my final season with plans to play professionally while also preparing for life after athletics, this program gave me practical tools, and real conversations, to help me think intentionally about my next chapter.

On My Experience:
"This summer showed me just how transferable the discipline of being a student-athlete really is. Between the branding workshops, interview sessions, and hearing directly from people who made the same transition I'm about to make, I walked away with a much clearer sense of how to tell my story outside of soccer. The networking alone was extremely valuable, being in a room with elite athletes from other schools was a unique and rewarding opportunity. I'm heading into my senior season with a lot more clarity about what comes next, and I'm grateful Deloitte invests in athletes this way."

Kaylee Kim
Sophomore
Belmont, Calif.

Carlmont Dental Care – Dental Internship

Job Duties:
This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to intern at Carlmont Dental Care, where I gained firsthand exposure to the daily operations of a modern dental practice. Throughout my internship, I shadowed five different doctors, including three general dentists and two specialists, allowing me to observe a wide range of procedures, treatment approaches, and patient care techniques.

In addition to shadowing, I had the opportunity to assist the dentists during procedures when needed, giving me valuable hands-on experience in a clinical setting. I also worked at the front desk, where I interacted with patients daily by checking them in, scheduling appointments, answering questions, and helping ensure the office ran efficiently. Working in both the clinical and administrative sides of the practice gave me a well-rounded understanding of how teamwork and communication contributed to providing high-quality patient care. Throughout the internship, I developed a greater appreciation for the importance of professionalism, empathy, and attention to detail in dentistry.

On My Experience:
"Going into my internship at Carlmont Dental Care, I was excited to learn more about the dental profession, and the experience exceeded my expectations. Every doctor and staff member created a welcoming environment and took the time to answer my questions, explain procedures, and help me learn. Being able to observe different providers with unique specialties broadened my understanding of the many paths within dentistry, while working directly with patients strengthened my communication and interpersonal skills. What stood out most to me was the genuine care the entire team showed for their patients and one another. This experience reinforced my interest in pursuing a career in dentistry, and I am incredibly grateful for the mentorship and knowledge I gained throughout my time at Carlmont Dental Care."

Caroline Dysart
Junior
San Diego, California

Fidelity Investments Intern
Title: Stock Plan Services Intern in Durham, N.C.

Job Duties:
This summer, I had the opportunity to intern with Fidelity Investments as a Stock Plan Services Intern in Durham, North Carolina.

Stock Plan Services partners with public and private companies to administer employee equity compensation programs, helping participants manage stock options, restricted stock, and other equity awards while supporting employers with plan administration and participant education.
During my internship, I gained exposure to how Fidelity delivers equity compensation solutions by collaborating with teams across the business and learning the client-service processes that support stock plan administration. I attended team meetings, project discussions, and presentations that provided insight into the intersection of financial services, technology, and client experience. One of my primary projects was redesigning the Quarterly Product Update, creating a more engaging resource to communicate key product enhancements and business updates. Through this project, I strengthened my skills in communication, project management, and collaboration while contributing to a resource used across the organization. My internship at Fidelity Investments has helped shape many of my ideas about my future, and I am incredibly grateful for this valuable experience.

On My Experience:
"This internship exceeded my expectations from the very beginning. I had the opportunity to work alongside talented professionals who were genuinely invested in my growth and eager to share their knowledge. Beyond developing professional skills, I gained a deeper understanding of the financial services industry and the impact of strong collaboration and client-focused solutions. I'm incredibly grateful for the experience and the relationships I built throughout the summer."