After completing their first quarter in the program, we asked our NobleReach Scholars to reflect on what experiences in college prepared them most for their Scholars journey. From technical coursework to student leadership and NASA competitions, each Scholar had been preparing to be innovative public servants for years. Here’s what they shared. 

Marcus Brumfield, NobleReach Scholar ’25

My dissertation process, which required strong project management, stakeholder engagement, and lifecycle planning, helped prepare me for my current role as Senior Program Manager for Data Governance [with the City of Oklahoma City]. Courses such as Database Systems, Introduction to Cybersecurity, and Machine Learning also laid the groundwork for working in a data-driven environment. 

Virginia Patridge, NobleReach Scholar ’25

Interning at the International Institute of Buffalo gave me experience with both how challenging and meaningful working in public service can be. I learned how federal policies can impact local neighborhoods and saw the difference that advocacy and social services can make in individuals’ lives.   

Calvin Yang, NobleReach Scholar ’25

I think my internship at Amazon prepared me best for this experience. Similarly to my NobleReach journey, I was given a project to improve a specific part of the organization. I can see now how much that “trial run” helped me cope with both the amount and speed of change that came with my NobleReach journey. 

Minji Kim, NobleReach Scholar ’25

[My experiences leading university student organizations] taught me how to build relationships, communicate across different groups, and keep community impact at the center of my work. Looking back, these experiences laid the foundation for how I approach my role now at the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation: thinking simultaneously about organizational goals and community benefit, navigating complex systems, and stepping up with initiative even in unfamiliar environments. 

Liam Murray, NobleReach Scholar ’25

NASA competitions, working on lunar rover autonomy, running engineering teams, and navigating complex technical challenges under pressure all prepared me for this environment. They taught me resilience, rapid learning, and how to build something from scratch — all essential [in my role as a Mechanical Engineer at Aerofly].