From New York City to London to Tokyo, Iona Students Pursue Career-Shaping Summer Internships
Iona students took their talents across the globe to gain practical experience in their chosen fields, putting career readiness into action.
This summer, Iona University students gained firsthand experience in industries ranging from finance, accounting and investment management to sports media, public relations, marketing and more.
From the New York metropolitan area to destinations around the globe, students put their classroom knowledge to work in professional settings, building valuable skills, expanding their networks and exploring future career paths. The opportunities reflected Iona’s commitment to career readiness, where academic learning, mentorship and real-world experiences helped prepare students to take their next steps with confidence.
Below are just a few examples of the many opportunities Iona students explored across the summer.
Landon Popovic ’27
Media and Strategic Communications major Landon Popovic ’27 spent the summer as a Research and Production Intern with YES Network, contributing to broadcasts for the New York Yankees and Brooklyn Nets.
Popovic supported production teams by compiling statistical research, preparing game notes, creating highlight materials and assisting with social media content. The role built on previous industry experience, including an internship with FOX Sports.
A highly involved student leader, Popovic serves as director of sports broadcasting for WIUR and executive producer of graphics for IUTV. He credited those organizations, along with mentorship from Professor Michael D’Aloisio, for helping him develop the skills and professional experience that led to the opportunity.
“I used to think there was only one way to succeed but through Iona I have learned there is no one way,” Popovic said. “Whether it’s achieving my dream of being on air or behind the scenes, I know I have the tools to succeed.”
Popovic was already in line to continue with YES Network as a freelancer following the internship, marking another important step toward a career in sports media.
Osei Dunn-Cardriche ’27
For finance major Osei Dunn-Cardriche ’27, his summer internship represented more than professional development — it was also a chance to pursue a longtime personal goal.
Dunn-Cardriche served as a Summer Research Intern with Gabelli Funds in Tokyo, where he studied Japanese financial markets, global investment strategies and emerging industry trends while observing the operations of an international investment office.
One of Dunn-Cardriche’s long-term aspirations is to live and work in Japan, making the opportunity an important milestone toward that goal. He credited finance professor Dr. Kamrul Qayyum and an Iona-sponsored site visit to GAMCO headquarters with helping open the door to the experience.
“With this internship being in Japan, it gets me one giant leap closer to finding a job in Japan, especially in finance,” Dunn-Cardriche said.
Carlos Gomez ’27
Carlos Gomez ’27 gained firsthand experience in investment and client development as a Summer Intern with Forte Capital Group.
In the role, the finance major assisted with client acquisition efforts, investor outreach, and pipeline development while working alongside senior advisors in a broker-dealer environment.
Gomez said Iona’s Career Development Center, alumni network, and Gaels Mentorship Program played a significant role in preparing him for the opportunity.
“One of the most significant advantages I have gained from my experience at Iona University has been access to a strong network of alumni, professionals and mentors,” Gomez said.
The internship came through an Iona connection after an alumnus introduced him to professionals at the firm. As his first internship in the financial industry, Gomez believed the experience would help shape his future path as he worked toward a long-term goal of building a career in venture capital.
Danielle DeMattia ’27
Political Science major Danielle DeMattia ’27 spent the summer as a Multimedia Reporter with Fox News Media, where she researched stories, monitored live events, attended press conferences and contributed ideas during editorial meetings.
The Throggs Neck, N.Y., native said the opportunity gave her a firsthand look at how stories developed from initial concepts to published reports while helping her build editorial judgment and newsroom confidence.
One of the most influential aspects of DeMattia’s Iona experience has been the mentorship she received from faculty members and alumni working in the media industry.
“One of the biggest advantages I have gained from my Iona experience is the opportunity to build real relationships with professors who care about their students beyond the classroom,” DeMattia said.
DeMattia credited Professor Jeanne Zaino, an Iona-sponsored visit to Fox News and mentorship from alumnus Christopher Snyder with helping her secure the opportunity. As she looked toward graduation, she hoped to combine her interests in politics and media through a career in political journalism.
“This experience has shown me that I want to build a career in political media,” DeMattia said.
Alana Dolan ’27
Marketing major Alana Dolan ’27 spent the summer as a PR Intern with ASTRSK, where she created media lists, pitched journalists, and conducted client research while learning how to tailor stories to different reporters and outlets.
The Yonkers, N.Y., native credited Iona’s PR courses with preparing her for the role, while a recommendation from one of her professors led her to apply for the internship.
“Having professors who support and encourage me has made a big difference in my experience at Iona,” Dolan said. “Their guidance has helped me feel more confident in my abilities and has encouraged me to take opportunities that I may not have found on my own.”
Dolan also attended client events, assisted with press releases, and saw clients earn coverage in publications including Forbes and Bloomberg. A highlight was contributing to work that helped a client earn recognition on Forbes’ Next Billion-Dollar Startups list.
As a marketing major, Dolan said the internship opened her eyes to public relations as a potential career path.
ABOUT IONA
Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master's-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of over 4,000 students and an alumni base of 55,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs. Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of academic programs across the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Nursing & Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona also continues to be recognized in prestigious national rankings. Most recently for 2026, Iona has been named one of the nation’s best colleges by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and others. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report recognized Iona as one of top for social mobility in the country, while Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) ranked an Iona degree in the top 6 percent nationally for long-term return on investment. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business, meanwhile, is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just 6 percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review once again named Iona to its “Best Business Schools for 2025,” recognizing both its on-campus and online MBA programs. Connecting to its Irish heritage, Iona also opened a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland, located on the historic 400-acre Westport House Estate. A school on the rise, Iona officially changed its status from College to University on July 1, 2022, reflecting the growth of its academic programs and the prestige of an Iona education.