Jacob Day '27 explores international business in Brussels

What are you doing this summer in your internship? 

As a business development intern at Easyfairs, I mainly worked with the Head of Business Development as well as Head of Sales. I have worked on looking at new AI solutions for our events as well as creating new AI zones with specific companies and startups across our regions. For sales I worked on a research project to identify new AI solutions that can be embedded into our existing systems including Easyforce, our custom Salesforce.

How did Oberlin shape or influence you to pursue this internship?

I think the variety of classes one can take while also pursuing a major has definitely helped me gain confidence in many different industries. Trying new things and digging deeper into certain subjects has guided me into wanting a more global business type of internship. The networking piece is also very important; I was able to connect with a lot of alumni and people on campus who have guided and helped me. I want to thank my coaches who have always believed in me and helped me prepare for my internship interview--especially Coach John Pont and Coach Roseanna Smith. They both played a huge role in connecting me with the right resources and right people. I also would like to thank my advisor Professor Nancy Darling. She knows me very well and has always told me to reach for something big and try out different things. When I was trying to find internships that would fit my interests she was able to give me some leads and took time in reviewing my applications and resumes.

How does this internship align with your post-college goals?

After college, I hope to build my career within an international company where I can continue learning, developing professionally, and gaining exposure to different markets, industries, and ways of working. I am especially interested in opportunities within the technology industry, consulting, and startup environments because I enjoy fast-paced settings that encourage innovation, problem-solving, and continuous growth. In the long term, my goal is to create my own consulting firm focused on helping businesses expand internationally, strengthen their market presence, and increase revenue in sustainable and impactful ways. Beyond business growth, I hope to support companies in creating positive outcomes within their communities and building organizations that prioritize both performance and social impact. 

Is there anything you’ve learned this summer that surprised you or made a big impression?

Being able to work alongside professionals who are willing to invest time in you, include you in meaningful projects, and help you develop new skills has been incredibly valuable. It showed me how much growth can happen when people trust you and give you opportunities to contribute. Working at Easyfairs has definitely been a big step for me in becoming more comfortable stepping into unfamiliar situations and developing new professional skills. I’ve also learned how important collaboration, adaptability, and curiosity are in a professional environment.

As a psychology major, this experience also taught me that your major does not define or limit your career path. Even though my studies focus on understanding people, behavior, and communication, I realized those skills are transferable across industries and can create value in many different fields. This internship helped me understand that growth comes from being open to opportunities, and that with the willingness to learn, everything is possible.

How has your liberal arts education shaped the way you think about science or research?

Although I'm not a traditional STEM major, my liberal arts education has shaped the way I approach learning and problem-solving by encouraging curiosity, adaptability, and interdisciplinary thinking. Studying psychology has shown me that strong research and innovation come from understanding both people and data. It has taught me to think critically, ask better questions, and recognize that meaningful solutions often come from connecting ideas across different fields.

To learn more about internship opportunities available to Oberlin students, check out Internship+.