Alyssa Nigel Catalyst interview

Summer 2026 Catalyst Alyssa Nigel

It’s our pleasure to introduce Alyssa Nigel, one half of our Catalyst duo from our Summer 2026 session. As she approached the end of her time in the Abundance Experience, we asked Alyssa to share her insights and reflections on her summer with Abundance.

We want to thank Alyssa for all her hard work this summer and wish her the best as she enters her Senior Year at Penn State University!

Will: When you first started the Abundance Experience, what were you hoping to gain from the internship?
Alyssa: I wanted professional experience and a better understanding of what it’s like working in an office environment. I also wanted to develop my professional skills, since school doesn’t always provide that kind of opportunity.

Will: Looking back now, how has your perception of the program changed?
Alyssa: I didn’t really know what to expect going in since it was my first internship. I knew we’d be working on two projects, but I didn’t know exactly what they’d be. I came in with an open mind, and I ended up gaining a lot more from it than I expected.

Will: In what ways have you grown professionally and personally over the course of the internship?
Alyssa: Professionally, I’ve learned how to lead and facilitate meetings, especially early on when Hannah and I met with the CRMs. Personally, I’ve grown in managing my time and balancing work with everyday responsibilities like errands, meals, and rest.

Will: What’s something you can do confidently today that you couldn’t when you first started?

Alyssa: I’m much more comfortable expressing concerns or sharing issues when something’s bothering me. At first I was hesitant, but over time I felt more supported and safe doing that.

Will: Did the internship challenge any assumptions you had about yourself or your future career?

Alyssa: Yes. It gave me a real look at what having a professional job is like and how much structure comes with that. It also reminded me to appreciate being a student while I still can.

Will: What skills do you think you’ll carry with you to your next opportunity?
Alyssa: Communication skills for sure, especially over-communicating rather than under-communicating. I’ll also carry forward professional meeting habits, like checking whether people are comfortable being recorded.

Will: Was there a particular project or experience that stands out as a defining moment?
Alyssa: Yes! The moment Hannah and I landed on the client profile idea. That felt like a real “aha” moment, and we were both genuinely excited about it.

Hannah and Alyssa with their diagram of their project workflow!

Will: Is there a conversation with a team member that you’ll always remember?
Alyssa: Yes. An early conversation didn’t go how we expected, and it threw us off at first. But it led us to ask better questions and have really helpful follow-up conversations!

Will: Was there an experience that changed the way you think about leadership, teamwork, or serving others?
Alyssa: Interviewing Ryan for a class assignment really changed how I think about leadership. He emphasized the importance of checking in on employees as people, not just workers, and making sure the environment is healthy and supportive.

Will: What is one memory from this summer that you’ll probably still be talking about years from now?
Alyssa: Minigolf! It was such a fun early experience and a great way to start the internship.

Will: What was the biggest challenge you faced during this internship, and how did you work through it?
Alyssa: One big challenge was realizing there wasn’t really a formal onboarding process, so it was hard to understand the client journey clearly at first. We also ran into technical frustrations while working with Codex and ChatGPT. Talking with different team members, especially Toner, helped us work through a lot of that.

Will: What accomplishment are you most proud of?
Alyssa: I’m proud of building the client portals, especially because I don’t usually think of myself as tech-savvy. I’m also really grateful for the friendship I built with Hannah.

Will: What makes the Abundance experience different from other internships?
Alyssa: The biggest difference was the creative freedom. We weren’t just doing errands or handed-off tasks; we got to build something real. The flexibility and team culture also made it stand out.

Hannah and Alyssa after their capstone presentation

Will: How would you describe the culture at Abundance to someone considering applying?
Alyssa: Welcoming and family-like. Everyone is encouraging, and there’s a real sense of connection across the team.

Will: If a future intern asked for one piece of advice before starting the Abundance experience, what would you tell them?
Alyssa: Don’t be intimidated, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Asking questions helps you learn and contribute.

Will: If you could thank one person or group for making this experience meaningful, who would it be and why?
Alyssa: Will, Torrey, and Ryan. They were flexible, supportive, welcoming, and made me feel trusted throughout the experience.

Will: What will you miss most about the Abundance experience?
Alyssa: The routine of being in the office, the warmth of everyone saying good morning, Gwen greeting me at the door, and the overall feeling that it was a safe space.

Will: If you could summarize your entire internship in one sentence, what would you say?
Alyssa: It was an amazing experience.

Will: Thank you, Alyssa. Best of luck with Senior Year. We’re going to miss having you here every day, but you’ll always be part of the Abundance family. We look forward to seeing you again down the road!