With a passion to serve and protect his country, Senior International Relations and Spanish Double Major Burton Reed, '23, is interning for the U.S. Secret Service's National Computer Forensics Institute this year. Reed works in operations and helps ensure classes run smoothly with minimal problems. 

 

"It has already been incredibly rewarding and provided me with real work experience in a federal work environment," said Burton Reed. 

 

Reed will be interning for the entirety of his senior year. 

 

"I hope to gain real-world experience and connections, clarification on the type of post-grad work I want to do, and a better understanding of how our government functions in smaller ways that can impact our daily lives," Reed said. 

 

Reed found out about the opportunity from a friend, applied and then got the internship. 

 

"I was very excited when I originally heard I had been selected. Not only was it an answer of prayer, but it showed me that the hard work and time I put in at Samford was going to pay off in my career search," Reed said. 

 

The love for his country is what drove Reed to pursue this opportunity. 

 

"The Secret Service is a federal agency that helps preserve our national security through the protection of political figures and our economy by guarding it against counterfeit and fraud threats," Reed said. "It is important to me to do my part so that our facilities can continue benefitting the security of our nation and its civilians."

 

In such a short time, Reed has learned valuable information and developed connections with seasoned veterans to help get him one step closer to fulfilling that purpose. 

 

"I've met so many instructors and agents who have all had fascinating and different career experiences in important roles around the world," Reed said. "And while lots of it goes over my head, the equipment our classes deal with and prepare law enforcement officers from around the country to use is impressive."

 

Reed hopes to land a job in law enforcement, intelligence or diplomacy at a federal agency in the states or abroad after graduation.