Cybersecurity student uses technical talent to support humanitarian mission at the Carter Center

Vidhikala R. Nainani was not thinking about the non-profit world when she considered how she might apply her Applied Computer Science major in the workforce, but she said that getting this internship was “eye-opening” for her.

Nainani, a rising junior and cybersecurity major at the University of South Carolina Aiken, recently completed her Summer 2025 internship at the Carter Center in Atlanta.  Nainani said that while cybersecurity is what she wants to do with her career, making an impact is also important to her.

The Carter Center, founded by the late United States President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn and partnering with Emory University, is a non-profit organization focused on human rights across the globe. 

Nainani discovered the internship opportunity through an email from the Office of Career Services and wasted no time applying. She credited her training at USCA’s Regional Security Operations Center (RSOC) with helping her feel more prepared for the interview process. Thanks to her hands-on experience at RSOC, she had a solid grasp of the responsibilities involved and was able to confidently respond to technical questions during the interview.

As an intern at the Carter Center, Nainani has been involved in several automation-focused projects. “With Artificial Intelligence (AI) rapidly transforming the world, it’s essential to integrate it into everything we do,” she explained. She currently works alongside the Information Technology (IT) team and is the only intern in that department, giving her a unique and immersive experience in the field.

As part of the internship program, the summer cohort took a trip to Plains, GA, the birthplace and home of President Carter. There, they were able to learn about his childhood, his school and the story of the Carters’ lives. That trip inspired her, and knowing more about the meaning of the center made for a more impactful internship experience.

When asked why she felt completing an internship was helpful, she said, “IT is a very huge industry, and there are a lot of people learning a lot of new things. Gaining hands-on experience is important at the early stage of your career because you will know where you stand and where you need to work harder and smarter. Now I know where I need to work on myself.” 

Nainani credits her success to persistence, she didn’t give up, continued working hard and kept applying until the right opportunity came along. She also encourages students to pursue certifications in their field of interest, as they can strengthen both knowledge and resumes.

Looking ahead, Nainani is excited about the evolving tech landscape. “The world is really changing. AI is coming into the picture,” she said. She's particularly interested in diving deeper into cloud computing and believes her internship has helped sharpen her skills while also revealing areas where she can continue to grow and learn.

For more information, contact USCA Marketing & Communication at news@usca.edu.