Economics major applies liberal arts education to internships

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — When you’re 18 and starting college, everyone expects you to have a plan. For Penn State student Olivia Cimbora, that plan looked neat and polished: Study economics, take the LSAT and head to law school after senior year.

It was practical, ambitious and seemingly the perfect vehicle for a future she thought she wanted. But being a Liberal Arts student at Penn State has a way of surprising you, she said. Somewhere along the way, Cimbora realized she wasn’t just completing requirements, but falling head over heels for the subject itself.

“I absolutely fell in love with the analytical and strategic mindset of economics,” Cimbora said.

And just like that, she said, the law school dream was swapped for something she hadn’t expected — a career in health economic outcomes research.

Cimbora didn’t stop at economics — she paired it with a philosophy minor, a combination she believes makes her a more complete thinker.

“Economics trained me in data, math and programming, while philosophy keeps my speaking and writing skills sharp,” she said. “It allows me to take technical findings and communicate them in a way that’s persuasive and human centered.”

Her coursework reflects this balance: from crunching numbers in ECON 342: Industrial Organization to debating questions of justice in philosophy seminars, Cimbora has built a toolkit that’s both rigorous and versatile. She described economics as her strategy, and philosophy as her voice.

Meanwhile, Cimbora has tested herself in other areas, joining Penn State Mock Trial, where she sharpened her ability to think on her feet, she said. She also competes with the Penn State Federal Reserve Challenge Club, diving into macroeconomic policy debates. And she got involved in various economics clubs, where late-night discussions spilled out of classrooms and into hallways.

These experiences gave her confidence and community. But the real turning point, she said, came from something more unexpected: a tip from her academic adviser, Julie Modrick, who suggested she explore LionLink, Penn State’s platform for connecting students with alumni.

Through LionLink, Cimbora landed an internship with the College Knowledge Foundation, a newly established nonprofit. At first, she was a grant researcher. But her energy and initiative quickly resulted in her being elevated to project manager, then marketing coordinator, where she led grant applications, finances and outreach campaigns. While there, Cimbora secured the College Knowledge Foundation’s first grant.

“When I demonstrated interest or expertise in something new, they let me run with it,” she said.

Working under the nonprofit’s CEO, Penn State alumnus Donovin Lindsay, Cimbora learned what it takes to build a business from the ground up.

“From day one, I had a clear strategy, set of goals and indicators that kept me on the right track,” she said. “That structure allowed me to succeed in everything I took on.”

It wasn’t easy, she said. Remote work meant Cimbora had to motivate herself, staying on top of deadlines and deliverables, while collaborating with colleagues from across the country.

“Maintaining a strong work ethic and exceptional organizational skills was fundamental,” she said. “When our campaigns succeeded, it was hugely rewarding.”

Thanks to the network and experience she built through LionLink, Cimbora said, she landed a summer internship with the Amgen Foundation — the philanthropic arm of Amgen Biotechnology. She worked in operations, developing tools to increase employee productivity, and analyzed employee engagement trends to increase the success of various global programs. There, she discovered that her economics background could directly influence health care strategy.

“I built off everything I had learned at the nonprofit,” she said. “It clicked. This is where I belong.”

The internship opened doors into her dream industry. Today, she continues to explore health care economics by volunteering with a patient advocacy foundation, deepening her connections and learning more about the field.

For Olivia, these milestones weren’t accidents, she said. They were the result of saying yes.

“Do it, do it, do it!” she advised other students considering LionLink. “Even if it doesn’t turn into an internship, it’s an incredible way to network, gain experience and build your resume.”