DWS 2026 Summer Internships Provide Tremendous Experience - Part II

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 II of an inside look at the internships and the opportunities these student-athletes experienced.

Kaeden Koons-Perdikis
Senior
Chevy Chase, Md.

CAPE Summer Internship

Job Duties:
This summer, I had the privilege of shadowing dozens of doctors at the Duke University Hospital. The opportunity came through CAPE (Collegiate Athlete Premedical Experience), a 4-year program that gives female student athletes at Duke the access, mentorship, and resources to pursue careers in medicine.

Across the 6-week internship, I spent half of my time in clinical rounds, shadowing a different Duke physician every day and experiencing "a day in the life" of many different specialties, from pediatric hematology to infectious diseases to ocuplastics.

The other half of my internship was focused in the operating room, as I observed multiple surgeries for the first time (including open-heart and brain tumor resections) and witnessed first-hand the teamwork, discipline, and determination that define improving and saving lives.

On my experience:
"One of the reasons I committed to Duke was the opportunity to participate in CAPE, and this summer exceeded all of my expectations. There really aren't words to describe your first time stepping into the operating room, especially when you are surrounded by some of the most hard-working, compassionate, and talented doctors in the world. This experience gave me an honest window into all of the amazing opportunities a career in medicine has to offer. I am so grateful to the doctors, PAs, nurses, patients, and staff who welcomed me into their worlds and am excited for what the future holds!"

Phoebe Goldthwaite
Senior
Durham, N.C.

Harris Williams Intern
Title: 2026 Boot Camp Analyst

Job Duties:
This summer, I had the opportunity to participate in the Harris Williams Investment Banking M&A Boot Camp at their headquarters in Richmond, VA.

Harris Williams is a global investment bank responsible for mergers and acquisitions, advisory and private capital solutions, advising middle-market companies and private equity investors across critical strategic milestones. This is done through advisory offerings spanning sell-side and buy-side M&A, capital raising, and board and shareholder advisory. This includes industry coverage in Business Services, Consumer, Energy Transition & Infrastructure, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Industrials, Specialty Distribution, and Technology, Media & Telecom, supported by offices across Richmond, Boston, New York City, Cleveland, Minneapolis, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., London, and Frankfurt.

During my time, I gained exposure to the sell-side M&A process and the fast-paced and demanding environment in which a full-time Analyst is expected to perform. I had the chance to participate in deal-related work through various daily individual assignments, which were then presented to a small team each morning and culminated in a final presentation. Beyond that, I was able to interact and form relationships with many members of Harris Williams, from current Analysts to CEOs.

On my Experience:
"I came into this internship with high expectations, and they were exceeded from day one. I learned far more than I imagined I would, but what stayed with me most was the people. From my very first day, I felt genuinely welcomed and valued, and it was clear that Harris Williams cares about you as a person, not just as an employee – something many other banks often overlook these days. The relationships I built here made all the difference, and I'm so grateful to have been part of such an incredible experience."

Bianca Dominguez
Senior
San Francisco, Calif.
Biance Dominguez

San Francisco Bar Association Intern
Title: Special Immigrant Juvenile Status Intern in San Francisco, CA

Job duties:
This summer, I had the opportunity to intern and shadow at the San Francisco Bar Association under the SIJS program.

The San Francisco Bar Association's Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) Internship provides undergraduate and law student interns with the opportunity to work alongside attorneys advocating for immigrant youth seeking protection through the SIJS process. Through legal research, client interaction, drafting legal documents, and observing court proceedings, interns gain firsthand exposure to immigration law and the legal system while helping support vulnerable children and families.

During my time, I gained valuable insight into the complexities of immigration law and the SIJS process. I assisted attorneys with drafting pleadings, preparing declarations from clients, and organizing case materials. I also had the opportunity to observe immigration court proceedings, shadow an attorney of the day, and learn how legal strategy works in a case. Working directly with attorneys strengthened my legal writing skills and expanded my understanding of humanitarian immigration relief.

On My Experience:
"I came into this internship excited to learn more about immigration law and explore a new area of the legal field. I was surrounded by attorneys, mentors, and staff who were incredibly supportive and genuinely invested in teaching. Working directly with SIJS cases showed me the meaningful impact legal advocacy can have on the lives of children and families, while also opening my eyes to how expansive the legal profession is in making a difference. This experience further strengthened my passion for pursuing a career in law, and I am incredibly grateful to the San Francisco Bar Association and those who made this experience possible."

Kosette Koons-Perdikis
Sophomore
Chevy Chase, Md.

Potomac Animal Hospital

Job duties:
This summer, I spent two months interning at the Potomac Animal Hospital. It is a small family-owned practice located in Potomac, Maryland. My experience at the animal hospital involved watching surgical procedures, helping with technician appointments, and learning as much as I could in the world of veterinary medicine.

On My Experience:
"I have always been fascinated by animals and science, so this internship gave me the opportunity to experience how my passions can coalesce into a profession that I may dedicate my life to. Throughout the summer, I sat in on numerous routine surgeries such as spays, neuters, mass removals, and dental procedures on both cats and dogs. I was lucky enough to be taught by Dr. Scott, the owner of the practice, as he methodically explained each procedure he performed. I learned how to give common injections and vaccines, insert catheters, intubate small animals, and many other important skills to specialize in as a veterinarian. From a 10-week old husky to a 16-year-old Labrador retriever, each animal had unique and profound behaviors that were fascinating to monitor from a medical lens. I learned a lot this summer and am very grateful for Dr. Scott for giving me this opportunity. I cannot wait to continue my study in the field of medicine!"

#GoDuke