A Mercer University student discovered new possibilities for his career while working in the Georgia Governor’s Office this summer. Martin Patel, BUS ’26, was selected for the internship after a competitive application and interview process.
Initiated in 1971, the Governor’s Intern Program offers students valuable work experience in the Governor’s Office, and interns are assigned to work with specific state departments. Patel, an accounting major and finance minor, spent his time with the Department of Public Health – Georgia Composite Medical Board.
Patel came to Mercer from India, following recommendations of a few alumni friends and a virtual tour of campus. He began his classes in spring 2024 and is set to graduate this December, a year-and-a-half early.
Patel said the Governor’s Intern Program caught his eye when he was searching for summer opportunities. Mercer’s Center for Career and Professional Development and Stetson-Hatcher School of Business were great resources to him during the application and onboarding process.
“None of this would have been possible without God’s grace and the constant love, encouragement, and support of my family and friends. I’m truly grateful for everyone who has supported me throughout this journey and helped me get to where I am today,” he said.
With the Georgia Composite Medical Board, Patel collaborated with executives, law enforcement and state medical boards on projects and tasks related to Georgia’s healthcare system. He handled data for medical licenses and permits, updated records and helped the board transition to a new licensure gateway.
He also renewed vendor contracts, contributed to budget plans, attended board meetings, and drafted financial statements and an annual report. In addition, Patel had the chance to go into the field during investigations of medical practitioners.
At the end of the internship, Patel and the other interns were honored during a luncheon with Gov. Brian Kemp at the Governor’s Mansion. Patel said the Georgia Composite Medical Board liked his work and kept him on as a remote worker until August.
Patel said his view of the field of accounting was narrow prior to this internship. But now, he knows that becoming a Certified Public Accountant is just one of the many options for his career.
“It helped me gain a broader perspective,” he said. “I realized that I can apply my accounting knowledge to different fields, such as healthcare. It opened my eyes to more career opportunities and gave me the flexibility to explore different paths.”
Patel plans to gain some more job experience this spring and continue his education in fall 2027. He wants to pursue either a Master of Science in Accountancy with a concentration in auditing or a Ph.D. in accounting specializing in auditing research.
