Recent forensic psychology graduate Noely Flores Fonseca ’25 completed her fall internship with the Eugene Police Department this past semester, gaining hands-on experience in law enforcement and meaningful insight into her future career goals. The internship allowed her to connect classroom learning with real-world practice while exploring what a career in the field could look like.
“I want to work in law enforcement after college, so I wanted to get some hands-on experience and see what it’s like,” Fonseca shared.
We caught up with Fonseca to learn more about her fall internship experience and how it shaped her academic, professional, and personal development.
Internship Experience and Professional Growth
Fonseca was drawn to the internship because it aligned closely with her academic interests and long-term career aspirations. Throughout the fall semester, she worked alongside officers from the Eugene Police Department, gaining exposure to daily police work and the realities of serving in law enforcement.
“I went to work with officers, talked with them about their experience with the academy, getting hired, and what it’s like to be a police officer in Eugene.” She explained that her time involved “driving patrol cars, interacting with people, and working with the public.
A significant portion of her experience involved patrolling downtown Eugene, where she observed the relationship between officers and local businesses. Fonseca noted how police presence contributes to community safety and trust.
“When we patrol downtown, we have a really good relationship with many businesses there,” she explained. “It’s very nice when they thank us for being there, especially because they deal with a lot of theft.”
Skills, Reflection, and Career Clarity
The internship allowed Fonseca to apply concepts from her forensic psychology coursework while developing professional skills such as communication, observation, and situational awareness. Beyond technical learning, the experience fostered personal growth and deeper reflection on her role in public service. “Just whenever someone thanks us for being there and for helping them, that really stands out to me,” she shared.
She also emphasized the value of Bushnell’s internship course structure, which encouraged consistent reflection and provided strong academic support. “I like how supportive Whitney is and how the class is,” Fonseca shared, referring to Career Development Coordinator Whitney Shoun, M.S. “We have weekly assignments where you get to reflect a lot on your internship. They also have many resources if you can’t find one.”
Perhaps most significantly, the fall internship helped Fonseca clarify her future career goals. While she entered the experience uncertain about a specific path, the hands-on exposure provided clarity.
“When I first started my internship, I didn’t know if I wanted to be a police officer or not,” she said. “But now I think I do. I always knew I wanted to be in the law enforcement field, but now I know I want to be a police officer specifically.”
Reflecting on the experience, she encourages other students to approach internships with curiosity and initiative. “Look at the most random places,” she advised. “You never know where you can get an internship. Try to make the most of it, make good connections, and talk to as many people as you can.”
Looking Ahead
Bushnell University is proud to support students like Fonseca as they engage in internship experiences that connect academic learning with professional purpose.
Opportunities like internships help students gain clarity, confidence, and real-world perspective as they prepare for life after graduation.
To learn more about internships and career development opportunities at Bushnell University, visit bushnell.edu/career-development.