Cadet makes the most of summer internship

Radford Army ROTC cadet Ashley Williams spent the summer at an internship in the United States Army Medical Department (AMEDD).

Selection for the internship was a competitive process from which candidates were selected from a pool of cadets across the United States. Some of the metrics used are a high GPA, the Army Physical Fitness Test Score and good standing not only within the Radford ROTC, but also within the Virginia Tech ROTC battalion.

“I found out about the internship from my Military Science instructor, Nathan Scott,” said Williams. “It seemed like an amazing opportunity.”

Williams’ desired career path is to be commissioned as an Active Duty Second Lieutenant in the United States Army, specifically in the Medical Branch as a platoon leader.

“A great thing about the Medical Branch of the United States Army is that three years are set aside in which you are encouraged to continue your education,” Williams said. “When the time comes, I will be able to obtain my doctorate of physical therapy.”  

Participating in the internship helped Williams toward her goal of becoming an Active Duty Second Lieutenant in the United States Army.

“I was able to make great connections amongst Lieutenants and Majors, whom I will see again in my career,” Williams said. “It also helped me understand that being a physical therapist is a career I want.”

At the internship, Williams shadowed, observed and learned from an Army physical therapist.

“I saw and experienced what it was like to work in an outpatient clinic for eight hours a day as a physical therapist,” Williams said. “It gave me more of an idea of what I will be doing in my career; the internship offered me something that you cannot learn or be taught in a classroom.”

Williams was able to make the most of her internship based upon what she learned inside of Radford University’s classrooms.

“Anatomy, physiology and kinesiology, along with strength and conditioning, helped me better understand the problems from which a patient was suffering and what treatments would best be suited for the patient,” Williams said.

Williams is looking forward to completing her senior year at Radford University, but also understands that the opportunity in which she partook is rare.

“Not many people have the opportunity to do this - especially at such a young age,” Williams said. “I am beyond grateful and blessed that I was able to do the internship with AMEDD.”