Summer Internship with Rocketship Public Schools
Kaley Tobin, Daytime MBA 2026
My time at Rocketship Public Schools was my first experience working in the nonprofit sector, and it was transformative for me both professionally and personally. Coming from consulting, I was used to operating in fast-paced, client-facing environments, but at Rocketship I learned how to apply those same skills in a mission-driven context where every decision had a direct impact on students and families. I saw firsthand how compliance and operational efficiency aren’t just back-office functions- they are enablers of high-quality education and equity for more than 10,000 students.
Through developing tools that translated complex federal requirements into actionable resources for school leaders, I learned how to simplify complexity, build systems that scale, and design solutions that free educators to focus on what matters most: teaching and learning. I also developed a deeper appreciation for the unique challenges nonprofits face- balancing resource constraints with the need for operational rigor.
In the future, I plan to take these lessons with me by continuing to apply a systems-thinking approach in mission-driven organizations. Whether in education, social impact consulting, or another sector dedicated to equity and access, I want to leverage my background in data & project management to develop efficient, compliant, and sustainable solutions that support broader organizational goals. Ultimately, my experience at Rocketship reinforced my belief that when organizations invest in operational excellence, they create the conditions for innovation and meaningful impact, and that’s the type of work I plan to lead going forward.
This internship was supported by the Summer Internship Fund, which enables first-year Duke MBA students to learn about the rewards and challenges of using business to drive positive impact without making a significant financial sacrifice. The program enables organizations that otherwise could not afford to hire MBA student interns to benefit from students’ expertise. Funds are raised through student fundraising and from donors who believe in the mission of the program. If you would like to contribute, you can donate online using your credit card.