My Stepbrother's Dirty Little Secret novel Chapter 43

Gianna

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The classroom was already half full when I slipped inside. I walked to my usual seat near the side wall, not too close to the professor and definitely not too close to the center where people liked to talk.

I pulled out my laptop and notebook. My hands were still a little stiff from the cold morning air outside. Around me, people were talking about internships.

That was normal this time of year.

The seventh semester meant everyone was scrambling for something to put on their résumé.

G****e.

Startups.

Research labs.

The guy two seats ahead of me was bragging about a small fintech internship downtown, “I’ll probably convert it into full-time,” he was saying loudly.

Someone behind me snorted, “Dude, it’s unpaid.”

He shrugged, “Still better than nothing.”

I kept my eyes on my notebook. The door opened and Professor Adler walked in with a stack of printed papers under his arm.

“Morning, everyone,” he said.

He set the papers down and started connecting his laptop.

“Before we start today’s lecture,” he said, scrolling through something on his screen, “I want to talk about internship placements. As most of you know, internships in your senior year can influence your final academic standing.”

A few laptops stopped typing.

“The Computer Science department allows certain internships to count as practical credit if they are directly related to your field.”

My pen paused. I already knew that. I had read the policy three times.

“Now,” he continued, “some placements are more competitive than others.”

His eyes moved across the room then they landed on me. I immediately looked down at my notebook but it was late.

“Gianna,” he said, “Stand up for a moment.”

“How did she get that?”

“They only take Ivy League.”

“Is she related to someone?”

Professor Adler continued like the noise didn’t exist, “Orion Vector is one of the top predictive intelligence firms in the country,” he said, “They work closely with federal agencies and financial security systems,” saying that he looked back at me, “Positions like this are extremely competitive.”

My ears burned.

“But they also qualify for department internship credit,” he continued as he walked a few steps closer to my row, “If you maintain the position through the semester, it can count toward your professional experience requirement. In practical terms,” he said, looking around the room, “this means Gianna will receive additional credit hours applied to her senior record.”

A few students typed something quickly into their laptops.

“Internship credits don’t raise GPA directly,” he explained, “but they strengthen the academic evaluation attached to your final record. So when graduate schools or employers review transcripts,” he continued, “high-level industry placements carry weight.”

He glanced at me again.

“In short, it reflects very well on a student’s academic standing,” Professor Adler gave a small but proud nod, “You can sit down, Gianna.”