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If you’re a science-loving illustrator, National Geographic magazine is like Mecca.

The iconic monthly journal of the National Geographic Society, with a stellar reputation for photography, illustration and maps, is home this summer to CIA biomedical art major Joshua Maxwell ’13.

Maxwell’s internship in Washington, D.C. makes him part of the editorial team for projects involving design, art, photography and mapping.

“The work I partake in is produced as a part of the magazine for whatever issues they may be working on at the time,” he says.

Maxwell was considering a number of internship choices this summer, but says CIA Career Center Director Amy Goldman encouraged him to seek the National Geographic gig. The magazine has a monthly circulation of about 8.5 million readers.

“It’s the perfect combination of art and science, which has always been the main focus as a biomedical art major,” Maxwell says.

As a kid, Maxwell made art with his grandparents in Beavercreek, Ohio, and watched his father make sculptures with a chainsaw. He has since parlayed his interest into a number of educational experiences, including last year’s study with a marine biology research program through Sea Semester.

At National Geographic, he works side by side with top visual journalists who have deep knowledge about science and nature and a strong desire to educate their readers through words and images.

“The best experience that I have had while at the internship so far was my first time that I got to meet Fernando Baptista,” Maxwell says. “He is the in-house illustrator for many of the visuals in the magazine. I have been an admirer of his work for many years, using him as inspiration in my own work.”

Maxwell met Baptista a few times before the veteran asked him to help out on a few projects.

Nothing is better than working side by side with someone you look up to in your profession,” he says.