Research Capstone

Research Capstone Poster

For my capstone, I created an Excel spreadsheet of about 100 different internships that were science or criminal justice related that a forensic science major might be interested in. The spreadsheet included the name of the agency, their contact information, the name of the supervisor if provided, a brief explanation of the duties of the internship, and the link to the website where one might apply. I attempted to find at least 2 per state; however, that was not always successful. In addition to this spreadsheet, I also made a guide on how to apply to internships. I included information on how to search for internships, what to expect, what to include in your resume or application, information on the forensics internship course that could be taken for credit when doing an internship, and resources on campus that students could inquire when looking for internships or any aid they might need. All were put on the documents shown below and QR codes were added to the poster (as seen above) that is displayed in the EL building that students can scan. 

How To Guide

Internship Spreadsheet

Speech Presentation

This capstone project helped me grow a lot as an Honors student by combining research, organization, and communication skills. I collected and verified information on over 100 forensic and criminal justice internships across the country using structured search methods. Along the way, I learned how to evaluate sources, stay organized, and pay close attention to detail. I compiled everything into a clear, searchable Excel spreadsheet and created a guide to help other students navigate the internship search process.

Presenting my work as a poster with a speech was just as important as the research itself. It challenged me to break down a large amount of information into something clear and engaging, and to communicate why my project actually matters. Through this, I became more confident explaining my ideas and connecting them to bigger issues, like the lack of equal access to forensic internships depending on location.

Overall, this experience shifted my mindset beyond just finding opportunities for myself. It made me think more about accessibility and equity in the field, and how important it is for students to have clear, reliable resources. This project not only gave me stronger research and presentation skills, but also helped me better understand my role as a future professional in forensic science.