Hawks Hired highlights the accomplishments of soon-to-be and recent RWU graduates as they take the next steps in their career journeys. Ashlyn Keating is the Data Reporting Team Leader Intern for Communities of Hope Civic Media and previously served as a Web Technology Intern for the program last semester. Read on to learn more about her next chapter in this new internship role, as well her previous role with the program.
What is your program of study at RWU? I am a Cybersecurity and Networking major at Roger Williams University.
Graduation year? 2027
Where was this role?
My internship was with Communities of Hope Civic Media at Roger Williams University, where I currently serve as Data Reporting Team Leader and a member of the Tech Dev team. Communities of Hope Civic Media provides civic information, education, and support to benefit marginalized communities, particularly in Rhode Island. I previously worked as a Web Technology Intern during the Fall 2025 semester, and I have been excited to step into this new leadership role.
What were you most looking forward to in this role? In my role, I was most looking forward to researching and gathering meaningful data on issues across Rhode Island. As I continue this opportunity, I look forward to uncovering crucial challenges that need attention and to documenting them thoughtfully.
Who and what helped you during your internship search process? During my internship search, my Career Counselor at the Center for Career and Professional Development, Maisie Jelley, provided valuable guidance and support. She informed me about the opportunity to intern with Communities of Hope Civic Media and advised me on who to contact. I was very interested in the program and was able to connect with the director, Bernardo Motta, which ultimately led to my joining as an intern and team member.
Another person who significantly supported me during my internship search was Rena Piller-Thurston, the Assistant Director of Experiential Learning at the Center for Career and Professional Development. I was in contact with Rena, and she guided me through submitting my internship form, providing helpful assistance and advice on completing each step.
What advice do you have to students who are in the process of finding an internship? My biggest piece of advice for students searching for jobs or internships is to schedule an appointment with your Career Counselor at the Center for Career and Professional Development. Meeting one-on-one with your counselor gives you the opportunity to ask questions about the job search, review and properly format your resume, and get guidance on writing strong cover letters. Counselors can provide examples of resumes and cover letters, ensure your materials include all the necessary information, and help you identify job and internship opportunities to apply to. Taking advantage of this support is a crucial step toward successfully securing a position.
How did you land your internship? I landed my internship by first meeting with my Career Counselor, Maisie Jelley, who told me about the opportunity. I then reached out to the director of the Communities of Hope Civic Media, met with him to discuss my qualifications and resume, and was ultimately able to secure the internship.
What was the most valuable part of your internship experience? The most valuable part of my internship experience was last semester when I was interning as a Web Technology Intern. I developed and implemented a database schema that organized information and data collected from members of Communities of Hope Civic Media. I also wrote and executed queries to store and retrieve organizational data, which gave me hands-on experience in managing and utilizing real-world data effectively. This project was particularly meaningful because the database I developed supports the Communities of Hope AI chatbot, which provides critical information and resources to incarcerated youth and children in the foster care system.
Want to share your next steps or internship experience with the CCPD? Email Career Counselor Rian Jackson (rjackson@rwu.edu) to learn more about sharing with us!
