Internship Fund Turns Possibility into Purpose

Madyson Barnett

With support from the Lagniappe Internship Fund, Madyson Barnett, an information systems and analytics senior, interned as an information technology helpdesk intern at the American Bankers Association in Washington, D.C. There, she supported staff across departments by troubleshooting hardware and connectivity issues, maintaining IT systems, and assisting with hybrid meeting technology like Zoom rooms. Barnett also developed Excel trackers and internal documentation to reduce recurring IT issues. She also led Zoom walkthroughs for new hires, helping them feel confident and comfortable using the tools they need every day — a part of her work she found especially rewarding.
 

How did this internship opportunity help you grow personally and/or professionally?

This internship really helped me step out of my comfort zone. I learned how to communicate technical information clearly to people at all levels and how to stay calm and focused when solving problems under pressure. It also gave me hands-on experience with real IT operations, which helped me understand how technology supports an organization behind the scenes. I came out of it more confident in my technical skills and in my ability to take initiative. 

How do you think your internship experience will help you make a difference in your field or community after graduation? 

This experience gave me a better understanding of how important reliable and secure systems are in any organization. I want to use what I’ve learned to help strengthen cybersecurity practices and promote safe technology use in my community. I also hope to show other students, especially those who might not see themselves in tech yet, that there’s space for them in this field. 

Why do you think support, like the Lagniappe Internship Fund, is important for LSU students? 

Programs like the Lagniappe Internship Fund make a huge difference. Not every student can afford to take an internship in another city, even if it’s a great opportunity. The fund helps remove that barrier so students can focus on learning, growing, and gaining experience that will shape their careers. It gives students the chance to say “yes” to an offer that they receive instead of having to turn it down. When alumni and supporters give to programs like this, they’re helping open doors for current students. It’s more than just financial support. It’s encouragement and belief in our potential. Those contributions help create a cycle of opportunity, where students like me can gain experience, grow professionally, and one day give back to the next generation. 

How has LSU shaped who you are today?

LSU has played a big role in shaping who I am. My major in information systems and analytics has given me a strong mix of business and tech skills, but I’ve also grown a lot through involvement in organizations, like the National Society of Black Engineers and the Association of Information Technology Professionals. I’ve learned leadership, teamwork, and how to balance academic and professional goals. LSU has really helped me discover my voice and my passion for using technology to make an impact.

Anna Fuselier

This past summer, senior accounting major Anna Fuselier brought her classroom learning to life through an internship with PricewaterhouseCoopers in New York City. As part of PwC’s Enterprise Risk and Controls Solutions practice, she gained hands-on experience supporting a major public client, conducting internal control testing and risk assessments, reviewing documentation, performing walkthroughs, and evaluating key operational controls. The experience offered Fuselier a front-row view of how large organizations manage risk and maintain integrity in a complex financial landscape. 

How did this internship opportunity help you grow personally and/or professionally? 

Professionally, it pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me build confidence. I learned how to communicate with clients and members of my team and how to manage my time during busy weeks. Personally, living in New York made me more independent. I had to figure things out on my own, like navigating the city, balancing work and life, and adjusting to a fast pace. It helped me grow a lot as a person. 
 

How do you think your internship experience will help you make a difference in your field or community after graduation? 

This experience showed me how much trust and integrity matter in the accounting and audit field. I will use that knowledge when I return to New York for my full-time position as an associate at PwC. 

Why do you think support, like the Lagniappe Internship Fund, is important for LSU students? 

Programs like the Lagniappe Internship Fund make experiences like mine possible. Living in New York for the summer was expensive, and this support helped cover the costs that came with it. It allowed me to take full advantage of the opportunity without worrying about money. It really can make the difference between being able to accept an internship or not. When alumni and friends give to programs like this, they’re giving students a chance to grow and represent LSU outside of Louisiana. Their support helps students gain experience that sets them apart when they start their careers. 

How has LSU shaped who you are today? 

LSU has had a huge impact on who I am. Through the accounting and internal auditing programs, I’ve learned so many technical skills, but I’ve also learned how to be professional and dependable. The people I’ve met here have supported me and pushed me to keep improving. LSU gave me the confidence and foundation I needed to succeed during my internship and in my future career. 

James Williams

James Williams, a junior majoring in music performance with minors in arts and business administration, used support from the Lagniappe Internship Fund to attend the Sewanee Summer Music Festival in the summer of 2024 as a bassoonist. The four-week classical music festival, held at Sewanee: The University of the South in Tennessee, provided Williams with invaluable professional experience. While there, he performed in weekly orchestra concerts with world-class conductors, participated in chamber concerts with fellow attendees, and received mentorship from working orchestral professionals. Beyond performance, James connected with other motivated music students, building relationships and expanding his professional network. Although not a traditional internship, festivals like SSMF are a primary pathway for aspiring classical musicians to gain real-world experience and advance their careers. 

How did this internship opportunity help you grow personally and/or professionally? 

This opportunity was really special. I gained a lot of valuable experience working in such a fast-paced environment. As someone who wants to go into classical music administration and management, having firsthand experience as a performer is extremely important. As in most fields, but especially in music, your network is extremely important. I was able to form lasting relationships with both the artist-faculty and other students. These connections will last long past my time at LSU! Largely as a result of attending the SSMF in 2024, I was able to return this past summer in a paid position as the student chamber music coordinator. 

Why do you think support, like the Lagniappe Internship Fund, is important for LSU students? 

Programs like the Lagniappe Internship Fund are so important, especially in the arts, because of career pipelines like this. Gaining early and entry-level experience often involves programs at a cost or unpaid internships. The Lagniappe Internship Fund helped make this more accessible for me and many other students. It's important to support these funds because they help students like me gain experience early in our college careers. Through my internships I've been able to explore many different aspects of working in a non-profit arts organization as a student, performer, and administrator.

Brent York

Brent York, a senior accounting major, spent the summer interning with Deloitte in the firm’s New Orleans office. As part of the audit team, he helped ensure the accuracy and reliability of clients’ financial processes. York was responsible for reperforming their work to assess the effectiveness of internal controls. He also updated workpapers for current quarter testing and documented his findings to support audit conclusions. The internship offered York a practical look at the teamwork, detail, and problem-solving that drive success in the accounting field. 

How did this internship opportunity help you grow personally and/or professionally? 

This opportunity helped me grow both personally and professionally by exposing me to what the day-to-day really looks like. Deloitte's New Orleans office is a great way for me to pursue that career path. I've also made meaningful professional connections throughout my internship that have the potential to present new opportunities in the future. 

How do you think your internship experience will help you make a difference in your field or community after graduation? 

Already, my experience has given me the knowledge to share with others in my community who are interested in working for a large accounting firm. Going forward, with Deloitte being the second-largest accounting firm, I'm sure that I'll continue to make an impact through my work using the great knowledge gained through my experiences. 

Why do you think support, like the Lagniappe Internship Fund, is important for LSU students? 

Programs like the Lagniappe Internship Fund are important for LSU students because they ease the financial burden of completing an internship. Completing an internship can include mileage costs, housing, food, parking, and more, and funds such as the Lagniappe Internship Fund help to cover those costs, providing more time for students to focus on their internship experience.  

How has LSU shaped who you are today? 

LSU has provided me with the resources and opportunities to succeed both professionally and personally. I've made great connections with students, instructors, and professionals that I'll cherish for my lifetime. I believe that attending LSU was crucial to my success as both a student and a professional.