Adrienne Coleman | Student Life

The Student Life staff had many adventures during this past summer, but special recognition goes to those who survived a St. Louis summer. The infamous summer, clouded by raging humidity and grueling internships, are a necessary part of the WashU experience. As we head into the upcoming semester and students look toward their summer 2025 plans, the StudLife team wants you to know what a St. Louis summer will entail, including the highs, the lows, and all in between. 

Lore Wang, contributing writer and sophomore at WashU, interned for the Sierra Club this summer doing deep canvassing work about energy burden in six STL neighborhoods. Wang worked outside for eight hours a day, knocking on strangers’ doors to ask them about their utility bills, which was a stimulating and exhausting experience. If that wasn’t enough, Wang picked up two other jobs, working at a coffee shop on the Loop and at Sumers Rec Center.

Wang found her jobs on Handshake, which is a platform she recommends to any students looking for their next summer gig. “If all else fails, I can attest to printing out 20 copies of [my] resume (half of them accidentally double-sided) and walking up and down the Loop to see if anyone is hiring,” Wang said. “You might get a few weird looks, but you also might get commended for your ‘gumption,’ and that’s just a fun word.”

Outside of work, Wang enjoyed exploring vintage thrift markets (notably the UCity or Tower Grove farmers markets), as well as basking in the AC at the UCity library. She even began signing up for research studies for a little extra cash on her afternoons off.

To beat the heat, Wang recommends getting a foldable paper fan. “It’s probably the cheapest and most convenient way to stay cool, and you can stash it in your pocket or purse,” she said. “Plus, you look super chic unfurling a whole fan and parading down the street with your own personal breeze.”

Alice Gottesman, Managing Scene Editor and a senior at WashU, worked two jobs last summer: one completed remotely in communications for a youth-serving nonprofit, and the other in-person at WashU’s very own Kemper Art Museum! Working as an assistant to the museum registrar, Gottesman’s tasks ranged from archival research to collection record-keeping. Because of her connection to Kemper through her Art History major, she found her internship by emailing the registrar for opportunities and working directly with the team to craft a role for herself for the summer. 

Just as she enjoyed learning the ropes of museum operations, she also enjoyed finding friends and venturing throughout the city. Whether it was dining at Songbird Cafe for their delicious breakfast sandwiches, winning Wednesday trivia nights at downtown bars, or driving up to Lake Lou Yaeger for scenic views, Gottesman kept herself busy and excited. 

“I think that being in St. Louis for the summer is a great opportunity to break out of the WashU bubble,” she said. “You will likely be less busy than you are during the school year, so you can explore new neighborhoods, try new restaurants, and check off some bucket-list items.”

Bri Nitsberg, Managing Photo Editor and a junior at WashU, was busy running her own full-time business this past summer, which includes a blog on college lifestyle and a corresponding online shop selling digital planners for college students! While the work was mainly remote, she found new study spots for the semester by working in different libraries and buildings daily.

While Nitsberg greatly enjoys her work, she still made sure she had time to step outside and enjoy the city. “I absolutely loved going to the Muny over the summer to see all their shows,” she said. “They have free seats in the back, so it was a great way to have an activity for the night without having to spend money.”

Nina Giraldo, Co-Editor-in-Chief and a senior at WashU, prepared for her EIC role by working as a Features Reporter for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. She found the role through Student Life in the previous fall, where she applied and was accepted. Giraldo, a self-described foodie, made sure that her summer in St. Louis was packed with tasty eats and fun day trips. 

“Meskerem Ethiopian Restaurant on South Grand Blvd. is life-changing,” she said. She also recommends Terror Taco, on the same street, as a great vegan option with a spooky vibe. Making sure not to skip over dessert, she also ventured to St. Charles to try Grandma’s Cookies, the highly acclaimed bakery ranked #1 in the country. “They were good, sure, but that might be a stretch,” she said. 

With the advice of looking at St. Louis through the lens of a tourist that’s in town for the summer, she really enjoyed exploring the city and its many offerings and getting outside of the WashU bubble.

Sydney Tran, Head of Design and a junior at WashU, worked as a research assistant at the Cognitive Control and Psychopathology Lab at WashU. She found this opportunity by talking to her instructional assistant for her Psychopathology and Mental Health class and has been working there since last summer.

While busy with research, Tran still found time to get outside in the summer sun, recommending that others keep their water bottles and look out for shady tree spots to prevent getting burnt. One of her favorite activities was going to the St. Louis Punk Rock Flea Market — which she heard through word of mouth from locals — and it made her feel like she was part of the St. Louis community. 

For food, she loves the Korean spot Sides of Seoul, a classic takeout place she has become well-acquainted with. “I’ve taken the time to get to know the owners, and they truly treat every customer like family,” she said. Tran recommends everyone talk to strangers to learn more about the hidden gems of St. Louis.

Lily Taylor, Investigative Editor and a junior at WashU, spent this summer interning at WashU’s office of Marketing & Communications, which taught her a lot about the marketing field and the strategic choices that WashU makes. To find this role, she reached out to a club advisor of hers that works in the field. She recommends this way of finding internships, as connecting with people directly is a much easier way of talking through opportunities and finding the right one for you.

To keep cool, Taylor spent plenty of time this summer relaxing in the Millbrook Pool. As an avid runner, she did not let the heat stop her fitness, as she adjusted her schedule to run in the early mornings and late evenings. She also joined a frisbee summer league and enjoyed strolling through the Tower Grove farmers market almost every weekend.

While she admits that a St. Louis summer is quite different from WashU during the semester, she encourages WashU students to lean into that difference. She made new friends and explored the city in a new light. “Sure, it felt different, but it felt different in a fun and exciting way,” she said.

Zach Trabitz, Investigative Editor and a junior at WashU, spent this summer working as a Gephardt St. Louis Fellow interning at the Contemporary Art Museum of St. Louis, building on his art-history curiosity and pushing him to engage with all neighborhoods of the city. Trabitz applied to Gephardt — specifically for the art-engagement fellowship — at the end of February on a whim, and he was pleasantly surprised when he landed the role even though he had no previous experience working in a museum. He recommends that students apply to as many places as possible when they are looking for opportunities. While Trabitz admits that he got rejected from many prior to Gephardt, all it takes is one to succeed!

Outside of work, Trabitz had plenty of time to travel with his roommate in his car, as he embarked on trips to Kansas City, Indianapolis, and Los Angeles. Within St. Louis, he loves the Laumeier Sculpture Park and Contemporary Art Museum for enjoyable sights, as well as Soup Dumplings STL for the best Chinese food in the city. “It really is what you make of it,” Trabitz said. “As long as you’re proactive in making plans, you can really find so much to do in St. Louis.”