Mandy Ho ‘26, a senior computer science student at the University of Southern Maine has already accepted a job offer with L.L.Bean. Keep reading to learn how she used internships, career resources and hands-on experience to make it happen.
A dream employer within reach
In Maine, there are a few companies that stand out as dream employers. For Mandy Ho, L.L.Bean was at the top of that list.
Mandy tried out different industries through internships, building her skills and figuring out what kind of work mattered to her. She found herself drawn to cybersecurity – not just the technical details, but also the responsibility of protecting people’s information.
Her interests in consumer privacy and security came into focus when she found an opportunity for a cybersecurity internship at L.L.Bean.
What happened next showed her that all the exploration and effort had been worthwhile.
Boots on the ground at L.L.Bean
At L.L.Bean, Mandy works as a cybersecurity compliance intern, focusing on data privacy, regulations, and making sure systems meet the right standards. What does that look like day to day? Mandy said it means reviewing compliance requirements, supporting internal processes and monitoring how privacy and security choices affect the company.
She gets to utilize her technical skills and make decisions that matter. Mandy said she appreciates that she’s been given real responsibility – encouraged to take part and not just watch from the sidelines. That experience convinced her she wanted to stay, and the job offer revealed she’s ready for the next step.
She’s set to start as an employee just two weeks after graduation.
How she found computer science and direction
Mandy’s interest in computer science started before college at a Girls Who Code summer program, where she was introduced to coding and problem-solving. At USM, internships helped turn that early interest into a clear direction.
Her first internship was with MaineHealth through a program supporting Black, Indigenous and other students of color, as well as first-generation students. Working remotely gave her an early look at professional expectations and helped her build foundational skills.
Mandy later joined Wayside Publishing through USM’s Career Exploration Internship Program, where she spent a year developing analytical skills and learning more about data privacy and analysis. That experience helped her realize she was less interested in software development and more drawn to the policy and responsibility side of technology.
Her interests really came into focus during an internship at Systems Engineering, where she worked in governance, risk and compliance.
“I got to work with a client one-on-one,” she said. “I can’t believe these people trust me.”
The role challenged her to communicate clearly, think critically and represent an organization in professional settings.
“It gave me a lot of direction,” said Mandy.
Looking back, she said that was a key stepping stone on her path to L.L.Bean.
Taking a less traditional path
College looked a little different for Mandy – as a first-generation student and a commuter. Without a built-in roadmap, she learned by asking questions, seeking guidance and making the most of the resources available to her.
She also found community through Women in STEM at USM, where she connected with peers and mentors who shared similar experiences.
Balancing classes, commuting and internships meant carefully planning her schedule and choosing hybrid opportunities when possible. While her path looked different from a residential college experience, she said it helped her build independence, strong time-management skills, and confidence in advocating for herself.
Her family helped in practical ways that made a real difference, giving her the stability she needed to focus on school and take advantage of new opportunities.
Looking ahead
For Mandy, getting a full-time job at L.L.Bean is both a milestone and a new beginning. She wants other students, especially those who feel uncertain, to know that progress does not have to be perfect or follow a straight line.
Choosing USM gave her the chance to explore, the support to keep moving forward, and the opportunities to build confidence as she went.
“I don’t think I would have been able to have all the experiences I had if I didn’t choose USM.”
Mandy Ho ’26
Computer Science major
Explore what’s possible
Learn more about the resources that help USM students explore career options, internships and professional pathways.
