As soon as Nathan Simmons ’25 heard about a summer internship available with Loudoun County (Virginia) government, he immediately saw its potential.
A Bachelor of Business Administration student with a concentration in entrepreneurship, Simmons rotated across a variety of the county’s human resources offices, including administration, risk/leave, recruitment/employee management, learning and development, and equity and inclusion.
His work in the Office of Equity and Inclusion particularly impressed Loudoun County Chief Equity Officer Carl Rush ’11, ’19, MBA, M.Ed., who expressed his appreciation in a personal letter to Simmons. “Your attention to detail has truly stood out, ensuring that every task you undertook was executed with precision and care. We are particularly impressed by your effectiveness in completing assignments in a timely manner, demonstrating both your commitment and your ability to manage your time well,” wrote Rush, a two-time Shenandoah graduate who also noted that “it brings me great joy to see a student of your caliber and dedication thriving.”
“Your passion for learning best practices, coupled with your strong digital skills, has resulted in the production of high-quality resources for the office,” Rush continued. “The work you’ve done on the LINK page is a testament to your ability to integrate learning with action, creating tools that will have a lasting impact on our organization and significantly enhance the operationalization of our DEIA program.”
Simmons said he approached the internship with a proactive mindset and a strong eagerness to learn. “As this was my first professional internship, I was determined to absorb as much experience and knowledge as possible, ensuring I made the most of this invaluable opportunity.”
The internship helped him hone a wide variety of skills. “I managed systems, created digital content, and delivered formal presentations. Additionally, I developed the ability to navigate and uphold professional standards in various environments,” he said.
The experience also enhanced my collaborative skills, allowing me to effectively work across departments and with colleagues from different professional backgrounds.”
Nathan Simmons ’25 | Bachelor of Business Administration student (entrepreneurship concentration)
Simmons said he connected with remarkable people, and expanded his creative portfolio and resume while developing the skills he’ll need in the future. His goal is to build a career in digital marketing, an area in which he plans to pursue an internship this year. “I am already working as a freelance digital marketing contractor for small businesses, and I envision a long-term career in this field. I am particularly interested in roles related to social media management and creative strategy.” Over the summer, he added to his skill set by completing a Global Career Accelerator course in digital marketing through Shenandoah, which earned him LinkedIn digital badges in digital marketing (both ecommerce specialist and digital ads specialist) and intercultural skills. “This experience has solidified my passion for pursuing a career as a social media professional,” he said.
The Loudoun internship was part of a larger Shenandoah experience that Simmons said “has been profoundly personal and enriching, especially considering that both of my parents are Shenandoah alumni. I’ve built meaningful relationships with professors, engaged with various student groups, and collaborated with alumni. These experiences have deepened my connection to the university and contributed to a highly personalized and successful college journey that I will always cherish.”
