Applied Ethics Internship

The Internship Program offered by the Institute gives college credit towards their major. We work closely with the Center for Career and Development at Manhattanville College. Our interns declared majors within the Arts and Humanities Division. We have primarily Philosophy and Legal Studies students. History, Bio, and even Art History majors have also joined us. We encourage our interns to attend each discussion with an open mind.

With the diversity of disciplines, every dialogue differs from the previous Reflection. The dialogue is always fruitful, and most importantly, engaging.

Our Interns train all year to be qualified, and confident volunteer Judges for the Annual High School Ethics Bowl!

Our Interns love Ethics Bowls! The interns participate in the Annual Westchester County High School Ethics Bowl every Spring semester as volunteer Judges. For the Fall semester, the interns organize and host their own Intramural Ethics Bowl. Named after Sr. Mary T. Clark, R.S.C.J. ’39, the Intramural Ethics Bowl provides interns with the opportunity to understand both ends of an Ethics Bowl, both as a competitor, and as a volunteer.

Meet our Interns –

Grant Foray, 2022

Major in Legal Studies, Double Minor in Philosophy and Psychology

Occupation: Notre Dame Law School, 2026

I have recently been fortunate enough to experience great success in my career. I scored in the 97th percentile on my LSAT, got into some of the best law schools in the country, and am now deciding whether to attend Cornell or Notre Dame Law School. Recently, I have been reflecting on what got me to this point. The people who believed in me, the skills I acquired, and the character traits that made it possible. I owe the internship a huge thank you!

You need three things to succeed on the LSAT and get into elite-level law schools: strong logic, strong writing skills, and the ability to perform under pressure. I realized that what we did in the internship was very similar to the core principles the LSAT was testing.

I am blessed to be in the position I am in right now. With a law degree, I can make changes within communities, inspire the next generation, and provide for my family.

The internship played a part in where I am today, and I thank Jesse Juarez for what he has done for me.

Holly Meredith, 2022

Major in Childhood Education

Occupation: Student Teacher and Substitute

I am grateful to be a part of the Ethics Bowl Internship because I am able to discuss difficult topics with a close group of fellow student philosophers. Moreover, I am proud to be assisting the Marshall Institute for Ethical Thought & Action in hosting some magnificent high school students in a competition that highlights the importance of supporting philosophical thoughts and deducing ideas with basic logic.

Alexander Grabar, 2022

Double Major in Digital Media Production and Philosophy

Occupation: Technical Assistant Operator at NBC Sports (MA in Philosophy – Fordham University)

The Ethics Bowl Internship provided me with great opportunities, such as participating as a judge in the Westchester County High School Ethics Bowl, producing The Marshall Podcast, and even a weekly discussion with peers about current world issues. In turn, I became more creative and collaborative with real-world problem-solving, and made friendly connections that will last a lifetime!

Leticia Cortes, 2021

Major in International Studies, Minor in Philosophy, and Communications.

Occupation: Youth & Family Advocate

The MIETA internship is an opportunity to be part of a community of thinkers who strive to be ethical members of society. It gave me critical thinking skills that was taught in a unique and genuine manner that the classroom structure presently does not offer.

It also gave me the opportunity to play a hands-on role in the Westchester County High School Ethics Bowl - serving both as a judge and assisting in Ethics Workshops. These workshops were resourceful to local competing high schools.

The skills learned looks great on a resume, however these skills directly impact my desire to succeed in my personal, professional and academic life. It gave me the foundation to be a well-rounded thinker and an ethical member of society.

Vanessa Martinez, 2021

Double Major in Legal Studies and Philosophy

Occupation: Legal Assistant at Smith, Buss & Jacobs, LLP

Discussing ethical questions throughout the semester was a blessing. I was able to meet several new people and even form new friendships with my teammates. It helped me improve as a thinker and speaker. Like most people, I had failed to realize how imbedded philosophy is in our lives, specifically ethics.

By forming different thoughts and arguments we are able to expand our way of thinking and nourish our minds. Through the Internship, I learned it is important to hear other people’s perspectives. Like most, I tend to focus too much on my own perspective. However, listening and discussing with my peers improved how I articulate and strategize my arguments. Overall, this has been a helpful and fun experience.

A word from our Director –

"The unexamined life is not worth living!"

Socrates claims that man must be a lover of wisdom, and a seeker of truth. The foundation to think rationally.

At the height of the COVID-19 global pandemic we realized that isolation welcomes doubt and much incoherency. Detaching from the world (reality) and one another is not natural to mankind. Throughout history we see the value of community, tradition, and culture – during the pandemic, we desperately needed to bring back a sense of community with good people.

With the Weekly Reflection meetings, our team of interns would meet once a week via webcam to discuss moral dilemmas, explore paradigms, and address hot topics in the modern era.

With this, our interns learned that discussion and deliberation allow for growth, maturity and nourishment of the mind. We live in an age where certain discussions can become taboo -- or rather, there are things better left unsaid to elevate empathy. This type of negligence stagnates a nation and villainizes curiosity. It polarizes opinions and suspends facts.

Each of our Founding Fathers had a background in philosophy, understanding that the best form of governance is through democratic congress. Each knew that Ethics and Politics have a tricky relationship, yet an important one to understand.