Two outstanding students from NSCM shared their experiences with exciting internships with leading organizations- Microsoft and UCF IT Enterprise Applications. These prestigious internships provided unique opportunities to gain hands-on experience, engagement in high-level projects, and collaboration with industry professionals at the forefront of their fields. Each student discussed the skills they learned during their internships as well as how NSCM helped them prepare for these opportunities.
Victoria Deutsch
Victoria Deutsch, a sophomore majoring in Digital Media with a focus on Web & Interactive Media, is heading to Redmond, Washington this summer to join Microsoft as a Product Design Intern. For three months, she will work at the company’s headquarters, contributing to real-world software projects and gaining hands-on experience in one of the world’s leading tech environments.
With a deep interest in user experience and accessibility, Deutsch was drawn to the internship by the opportunity to be part of a team that designs intuitive, user-friendly solutions for millions of people worldwide. From creating wireframes and prototypes to conducting user research, her role will allow her to see how design decisions impact product development at scale. Although she’s still early in her career, Deutsch is eager to learn from Microsoft’s user-centric approach and discover how great design can empower users and transform technology.
What excites her most is the potential to work with Microsoft’s Business Industry and Copilot (BIC) team, where she may contribute to AI-driven tools like Copilot. “AI is such a new and upcoming space,” she says. “As a product designer, I cannot wait to explore how UX can bridge the gap between such a powerful tool and the people interacting with it.”
Deutsch’s enthusiasm, curiosity, and commitment to learning underscore the value of UCF’s hands-on education and the bright future ahead for its students in tech and design.
Dr. Maria Harrington offered words of encouragement to Deutsch. “Victoria was an undergraduate student in my Digital Media User Centered Design course who immediately stood out for her excitement and curiosity,” said Dr. Harrington. “She always came to class prepared, asked intelligent and thoughtful questions, and demonstrated high interest in the field. It is with full confidence that I believe she has mastered the knowledge, skills, and judgement necessary to design, develop, and evaluate excellent user experiences. I wish her the best of luck this summer at Microsoft Research! I am so very proud of her!”
Anna McLean
Anna McLean, a soon-to-be graduate from UCF, has already made a lasting impact on the university and her peers through her creativity and drive. Balancing multiple roles as a UX/UI Intern with UCF IT Enterprise Applications, Marketing Coordinator for the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, and a freelance web designer, Anna’s time at UCF has been filled with opportunity and growth.
Her journey was shaped by hands-on experiences and supportive mentorship from professors who helped her discover her path. “I was unsure for a long time,” she admits. But one turning point came when Professor Maria Harrington recommended McLean and two classmates for an internship with UCF IT after a successful semester-long project redesigning the myUCF portal. McLean’s work, rooted in student research and feedback, has directly contributed to updates to the UCF mobile experience launching this April — changes that haven’t been made in nearly 30 years.
Another milestone came from her senior capstone course with Professor Daniel Novatnak. In a two-semester project, McLean and her team designed and built an original mobile app from the ground up, tackling everything from user research to full-stack development. Initially intimidated by back-end coding, she emerged with new confidence and technical skills — and a fully functioning app to show for it. Professor Novatnak’s real-world lessons and mentorship, even outside of class, left a lasting impression. “He was always open for questions of any kind to help us with our projects or career questions… he even recommended me for a job!” McLean says.
McLean’s advice for current students is simple but powerful: “Sit in the front row!” she says. “Little conversations can make a big difference.” She also emphasizes staying curious and current with tech trends, encouraging students to keep learning and engaging with the ever-evolving digital landscape.
Written by Majdulina Hamed.
Published to Nicholson News on May 1, 2025.
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