Doing What's Right
State Internship Confirms Ohio Wesleyan Senior's Plan to Build a Career Helping Children
Name: Madeline Paulley '26
Hometown: Fredericktown, Ohio
High School: Fredericktown High School
Majors: Psychology and Sociology & Anthropology
OWU Connection Experience: Internship with the Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) in Columbus, Ohio
Paulley completed an in-person internship with the department this summer and will intern with the organization again during fall semester.
"I interned in the Outreach and Engagement Division, working with several different bureaus under the division, such as The Ohio Children's Trust Fund and the Ohio Commission on Fatherhood, and doing work with Parent Youth Ambassadors that are located all over Ohio. While I worked on many projects, from editing PDFs and organizing spreadsheets, I also got to go out into communities off-site across Ohio for different events. I got to go to Chillicothe for a listening session to hear from parents, to work the DCY booth at the Ohio State Fair, and to do outreach at a prison with the Commission on Fatherhood."
Why This Opportunity?
"Before this internship, I worked as a preschool teacher aide at both a local Head Start program in Knox County and at the Early Childhood Center on campus. While I truly enjoyed working directly with children, I was also interested in exploring the administrative and policy side of the field to better understand how systems support children and families behind the scenes.
"I am not sure yet if I want to pursue a career in social work or continue in psychology, but I knew this internship with the Ohio Department of Children and Youth would give me valuable insight. I saw it as a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience, connect with professionals in the field, and better understand the impact of statewide initiatives.
"This experience has been incredibly meaningful, especially getting to participate in community outreach and work alongside DCY partners who are actively making a difference across Ohio."
My Favorite Moments
"One of the most memorable moments of my internship was attending an in-person meeting at OCCRRA (Ohio Child Care Resource and Referral Association) with the Parent Youth Ambassadors. During the event, I had the chance to participate in a virtual reality simulation where I stepped into the role of a caseworker. In the simulation, I interviewed a family and had to decide whether or not to remove the children from the home based on the information I gathered.
"What made this experience so powerful was how personalized and interactive it was – each person's outcome varied depending on the questions they chose to ask. It was incredibly eye-opening and gave me a deeper appreciation for the complexity and weight of the decisions caseworkers face every day. Hearing how others approached the situation led to meaningful conversations and further emphasized how important critical thinking and empathy are in this field."
Lessons Learned
"Through this experience, I gained a deeper understanding of the importance of collaboration, especially within a state agency where various divisions must work together toward a shared mission. At DCY, that mission is clear and focused: lowering the infant mortality rate, increasing kindergarten readiness scores, and reducing the number of children in the foster care system. These goals are not isolated efforts; they require coordination across multiple teams, each playing a vital role in the larger picture. It was eye-opening to see how much happens behind the scenes in order to 'Do What's Right for Kids,' which is both DCY's motto and guiding principle."
Most importantly, this internship confirmed that I am in the right field. While I'm still figuring out the exact career path I want to take, I now know with confidence that I want to dedicate my life to helping children in need.
Meaningful Contributions
"One of the most surprising aspects of my internship was how much I relied on the research methods skills I gained through my Psychology and Anthropology courses. Before this experience, I never imagined that research would become such a critical part of my work. However, the two research methods classes I took last spring turned out to be essential. Even having a basic foundation allowed me to contribute meaningfully to data-driven projects and carry out my responsibilities in an efficient and effective way. I realized how valuable these skills are, not just in academic settings, but in real-world policy and child welfare work.
"Most importantly, this internship confirmed that I am in the right field. While I'm still figuring out the exact career path I want to take, I now know with confidence that I want to dedicate my life to helping children in need. Whether it's through policy, direct service, or advocacy, I want to make a real impact and be a source of support for those who need it most."
What's Next?
"I have been involved in several research-related tasks that support ongoing projects. I have worked with survey data and spreadsheets to identify key findings and summarize information, including responses from Head Start surveys and monthly reports from the Parent Youth Ambassadors. This work helps highlight trends and supports data-informed decisions within the Outreach and Engagement Division. Since my internship continues through the end of the fall semester, I will be building on this research and continuing to support similar projects in the coming months. I'm looking forward to deepening my skills and contributing further as the work progresses."
My Campus Involvements
"Membership Secretary of the Equestrian Club"
Why I Chose Ohio Wesleyan?
"I chose to attend Ohio Wesleyan University because I was drawn to the strong sense of community and the small class sizes. I wanted to be at a school where I could build meaningful relationships with my professors and receive personalized attention in my academic journey. The campus felt like a welcoming and supportive environment from the start, and I was excited about the opportunities and experiences that the next four years would bring."
My Plans After Graduation
"Having interned with a state agency, I am especially interested in continuing work within state government because of the diverse opportunities available and the potential for growth and advancement within the agency. Ohio Wesleyan University is preparing me well for this path through its strong academic programs and hands-on learning experiences, like my internship, which have given me valuable insight into the workings of state agencies and the skills needed to succeed and grow in this field.
"I also received a lot of support from the career coaches through Career Connection and Bishop Elevate, a program for first-generation students, which helped me prepare for my internship interview. I truly believe I would not have had this opportunity without the guidance and encouragement of Thea Smekens and Newton Kimberly." (Smekens is the director of First-Gen Student Success and Bishop Elevate; Kimberly '13 is a career catalyst in the Career Connection office, working with students in the areas of Social Impact, Humanities & the Arts.)