The Team

The Discovery Internships Team

Discovery Internships, formerly Career Explorations, is powered by the expertise and experience of two leading summer program providers, Musiker Summer Discovery and Dream Careers. Summer Discovery has directed award-winning programs for high school students for over 40 years. Dream Careers is the leading provider of college internship programs worldwide, and has placed more than 10,000 interns over the past decade. The two organizations work closely and collaboratively to deliver the Discovery Internships program in six different locations every summer. With Summer Discovery’s four decades of pre-college summer programs expertise and Dream Careers ten years of internship placement prowess, Discovery Internships is, without question, the finest career-focused summer program for high school students in the world.

				Eric Lochtefeld CEO \| Dream Careers Inc. Eric graduated from the University of San Diego in 1993. Born and raised in Silicon Valley, he started his first company, Grassroots Event Marketing Inc., at the age of 25. As the President of Grassroots Event Marketing Inc., Eric co-created and built one of the most successful youth-oriented event properties in existence today, the Vans Warped Tour. Prior to starting Grassroots, Eric was a Sales Manager and Director of Operations for a student travel start-up called L.A. Ski & Sun Tours, which was purchased by one of the largest college student travel companies in the western United States. Eric's passions are entrepreneurship, travel, and inspiring people to discover and pursue their dreams.

				Bob Musiker Executive Director \| Summer Discovery A founder of Summer Discovery, Bob earned his BA in Political Science at Colgate University, studied communications at UCLA, debating & literature at Cambridge and music at the University of Madras, India.

				Jimmy Musiker Executive Director \| Summer Discovery A founder of Summer Discovery, he has traveled and studied all over the world, including Asia, India, & Cambridge University in England. Jim earned his BA in Political Science from Hobart College.

				Jeff Sharpe Executive Director, High School Programs \| Dream Careers Inc. Jeff is the former Head of High School Programs for Career Explorations and now serves as the Executive Director of High School Programs for Dream Careers. Jeff's team of Internship Coordinators services internship placements for all Discovery Internships students worldwide. Jeff began his career as a program director with Kaplan, Inc. and has been working with young people for over a decade as a tutor, mentor, and coach. Jeff is originally from New Canaan, CT and has a BA from Bucknell University and an MA from Dartmouth College. Jeff is a former Division I swimmer and an avid skier and whitewater kayaker. He enjoys adventure travel, playing guitar, following the latest news in world politics, and environmental conservation advocacy.

				Aviva Vikstrom Director of Operations \| Discovery Internships Aviva joined Career Explorations in 2008 and now heads up Discovery Internships' program operations for Summer Discovery. Aviva brings extensive experience developing and managing young adult education programs to DI, having previously worked in that capacity for George Washington University and Recreation Equipment Inc. (REI), as well as the Seattle, Washington School District. Aviva also worked as an outdoor educator and camp counselor and has held multiple internships herself in a variety of fields. Aviva is trained as a Natural Foods Chef and enjoys cooking for private clients and catering dinner parties in her spare time. She also enjoys traveling, vegetable gardening, photography, and yoga. Aviva holds a B.A. summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa in Anthropology from George Washington University.

				Lauren O'Brien Director of Educator Relations and Chicago Internship Coordinator \| Discovery Internships Lauren brings a great deal of passion and creativity to the Discovery Internships team, having previously created and executed vibrant advertising campaigns throughout North America during her role as Account Executive at NBC Detroit and NCC Chicago. Lauren graduated from Western Michigan University with two BA's; Organizational Communications and Comparative Religion. Throughout her high school and undergraduate career, Lauren has had a passion for her own professional development by interning in various industries, substitute teaching for Kalamazoo Public Schools, as well as taking on leadership roles in multiple WMU clubs and organizations. Lauren loves Chicago in the summer, yoga, reading, and competing in triathlons.

				Neal Chervin Director of Enrollment \| Summer Discovery Neal earned his BA in Communications at Queens College, NY; Certification in College Counseling, UC San Diego & has traveled extensively within US and overseas.

				Wil Burns-Garcia Director of Operations \| Summer Discovery Wil was born in Puerto Rico, raised in Evanston, Illinois and earned his BS in Economics and Teacher’s Certificate from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

				Todd Aronson Internship Coordinator \| Discovery Internships Boston and NYC Todd is currently an internship coordinator for Dream Careers. He had worked with Career Explorations for 7 years, having been a student advisor their inaugural summer in NYC. His roles ranged from director, to internship coordinator, to advisor, to education relations coordinator, to new hire trainer. Todd loves how Dream Careers enables students to develop themselves at such a profound level, both personally and professionally. Todd will have acquired his Masters in Education from Boston University in May of 2011. Todd’s true passion, besides playing sports, is bridging the gap between education and careers.

				Carly Bukzin Internship Coordinator \| Discovery Internships NYC As a former Career Explorations participant and, later, employee, Carly can personally attest to the benefits of a high school internship. Since High School Carly has interned with more than a five different companies including NBC and E! Entertainment. She graduated from Indiana University with a major in communications. Originally from the suburbs of New York City, Carly enjoys travel, dancing, and spending time with her family.

				Aaron Cocjin Internship Coordinator \| Discovery Internships NYC and London Born and raised in the valley of California, and now a New York City local, Aaron Cocjin knows exactly what it takes to make it in the big city. He graduated from the University of California, Davis with a Bachelor's in Communication, all while completing 4 internships. Aaron is an alumnus of the Dream Careers program and has had the pleasure of working in San Francisco, New York City, and London. Prior to working for Dream careers full-time placing students in internships all over the world, Aaron worked as a professional recruiter placing individuals in full-time jobs. Aaron loves sports, style, and spending time with friends and family.

				Andrea Diamond Internship Coordinator \| Discovery Internships NYC A past participant in the Dream Careers London Program, Andrea Diamond has become well-acquainted with the value of internships. She graduated from the University of Virginia with a Psychology degree and completed 5 internships in a variety of fields, including Public Relations, Event Planning, and Marketing. As a full-time employee for Dream Careers, Andrea has had the pleasure of working in both Northern California and New York City, enabling Dreamers in our programs worldwide. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Andrea enjoys watching football (especially the Cincinnati Bengals), traveling, spending time with friends and family, and enjoying all that New York City has to offer.

				Shari Siegel Personnel Director \| Summer Discovery Shari is in charge of hiring several hundred staff each summer. For 10 years, she taught in Rochester, New York. She earned her BA at SUNY Cortland and her MA at SUNY Brockport.

				Ron Jones Program Director \| Discovery Internships UCLA Ron received his BA from the University of Maryland in Criminology and was a fraud investigator and security consultant in the insurance industry.

				Bernie DeGraw Program Director \| Discovery Internships London Bernie is the Head of Guidance Services in the Southern Cayuga School District, New York. He has a BA from SUNY Cortland and his MA in School Counseling from Niagara University.

				Sam Berey Program Director \| Discovery Internships Boston Sam graduated with a BS in History and Social Studies Education from NYU. He lives in Costa Rica, where he teaches English and Social Studies at The Country Day School.

				Lori Widelec Program Director \| Discovery Internships Boston

				Ann Carman Program Director \| Discovery Internships UCLA

				Eric Lochtefeld CEO \| Dream Careers Inc. Eric graduated from the University of San Diego in 1993. Born and raised in Silicon Valley, he started his first company, Grassroots Event Marketing Inc., at the age of 25. As the President of Grassroots Event Marketing Inc., Eric co-created and built one of the most successful youth-oriented event properties in existence today, the Vans Warped Tour. Prior to starting Grassroots, Eric was a Sales Manager and Director of Operations for a student travel start-up called L.A. Ski & Sun Tours, which was purchased by one of the largest college student travel companies in the western United States. Eric's passions are entrepreneurship, travel, and inspiring people to discover and pursue their dreams.

				Bob Musiker Executive Director \| Summer Discovery A founder of Summer Discovery, Bob earned his BA in Political Science at Colgate University, studied communications at UCLA, debating & literature at Cambridge and music at the University of Madras, India.

				Jimmy Musiker Executive Director \| Summer Discovery A founder of Summer Discovery, he has traveled and studied all over the world, including Asia, India, & Cambridge University in England. Jim earned his BA in Political Science from Hobart College.

				Jeff Sharpe Executive Director, High School Programs \| Dream Careers Inc. Jeff is the former Head of High School Programs for Career Explorations and now serves as the Executive Director of High School Programs for Dream Careers. Jeff's team of Internship Coordinators services internship placements for all Discovery Internships students worldwide. Jeff began his career as a program director with Kaplan, Inc. and has been working with young people for over a decade as a tutor, mentor, and coach. Jeff is originally from New Canaan, CT and has a BA from Bucknell University and an MA from Dartmouth College. Jeff is a former Division I swimmer and an avid skier and whitewater kayaker. He enjoys adventure travel, playing guitar, following the latest news in world politics, and environmental conservation advocacy.

				Aviva Vikstrom Director of Operations \| Discovery Internships Aviva joined Career Explorations in 2008 and now heads up Discovery Internships' program operations for Summer Discovery. Aviva brings extensive experience developing and managing young adult education programs to DI, having previously worked in that capacity for George Washington University and Recreation Equipment Inc. (REI), as well as the Seattle, Washington School District. Aviva also worked as an outdoor educator and camp counselor and has held multiple internships herself in a variety of fields. Aviva is trained as a Natural Foods Chef and enjoys cooking for private clients and catering dinner parties in her spare time. She also enjoys traveling, vegetable gardening, photography, and yoga. Aviva holds a B.A. summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa in Anthropology from George Washington University.

				Lauren O'Brien Director of Educator Relations and Chicago Internship Coordinator \| Discovery Internships Lauren brings a great deal of passion and creativity to the Discovery Internships team, having previously created and executed vibrant advertising campaigns throughout North America during her role as Account Executive at NBC Detroit and NCC Chicago. Lauren graduated from Western Michigan University with two BA's; Organizational Communications and Comparative Religion. Throughout her high school and undergraduate career, Lauren has had a passion for her own professional development by interning in various industries, substitute teaching for Kalamazoo Public Schools, as well as taking on leadership roles in multiple WMU clubs and organizations. Lauren loves Chicago in the summer, yoga, reading, and competing in triathlons.

				Neal Chervin Director of Enrollment \| Summer Discovery Neal earned his BA in Communications at Queens College, NY; Certification in College Counseling, UC San Diego & has traveled extensively within US and overseas.

				Wil Burns-Garcia Director of Operations \| Summer Discovery Wil was born in Puerto Rico, raised in Evanston, Illinois and earned his BS in Economics and Teacher’s Certificate from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

				Todd Aronson Internship Coordinator \| Discovery Internships Boston and NYC Todd is currently an internship coordinator for Dream Careers. He had worked with Career Explorations for 7 years, having been a student advisor their inaugural summer in NYC. His roles ranged from director, to internship coordinator, to advisor, to education relations coordinator, to new hire trainer. Todd loves how Dream Careers enables students to develop themselves at such a profound level, both personally and professionally. Todd will have acquired his Masters in Education from Boston University in May of 2011. Todd’s true passion, besides playing sports, is bridging the gap between education and careers.

				Carly Bukzin Internship Coordinator \| Discovery Internships NYC As a former Career Explorations participant and, later, employee, Carly can personally attest to the benefits of a high school internship. Since High School Carly has interned with more than a five different companies including NBC and E! Entertainment. She graduated from Indiana University with a major in communications. Originally from the suburbs of New York City, Carly enjoys travel, dancing, and spending time with her family.

				Aaron Cocjin Internship Coordinator \| Discovery Internships NYC and London Born and raised in the valley of California, and now a New York City local, Aaron Cocjin knows exactly what it takes to make it in the big city. He graduated from the University of California, Davis with a Bachelor's in Communication, all while completing 4 internships. Aaron is an alumnus of the Dream Careers program and has had the pleasure of working in San Francisco, New York City, and London. Prior to working for Dream careers full-time placing students in internships all over the world, Aaron worked as a professional recruiter placing individuals in full-time jobs. Aaron loves sports, style, and spending time with friends and family.

				Andrea Diamond Internship Coordinator \| Discovery Internships NYC A past participant in the Dream Careers London Program, Andrea Diamond has become well-acquainted with the value of internships. She graduated from the University of Virginia with a Psychology degree and completed 5 internships in a variety of fields, including Public Relations, Event Planning, and Marketing. As a full-time employee for Dream Careers, Andrea has had the pleasure of working in both Northern California and New York City, enabling Dreamers in our programs worldwide. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Andrea enjoys watching football (especially the Cincinnati Bengals), traveling, spending time with friends and family, and enjoying all that New York City has to offer.

				Shari Siegel Personnel Director \| Summer Discovery Shari is in charge of hiring several hundred staff each summer. For 10 years, she taught in Rochester, New York. She earned her BA at SUNY Cortland and her MA at SUNY Brockport.

				Ron Jones Program Director \| Discovery Internships UCLA Ron received his BA from the University of Maryland in Criminology and was a fraud investigator and security consultant in the insurance industry.

				Bernie DeGraw Program Director \| Discovery Internships London Bernie is the Head of Guidance Services in the Southern Cayuga School District, New York. He has a BA from SUNY Cortland and his MA in School Counseling from Niagara University.

				Sam Berey Program Director \| Discovery Internships Boston Sam graduated with a BS in History and Social Studies Education from NYU. He lives in Costa Rica, where he teaches English and Social Studies at The Country Day School.

				Lori Widelec Program Director \| Discovery Internships Boston

				Ann Carman Program Director \| Discovery Internships UCLA

The Team

The Discovery Internships Team

Discovery Internships

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