CSI Timothy: The Path of a Pathologist

When senior Ryan Bochat walked into the DuPage County Coroner’s Office on the first day of his internship, he knew it wouldn’t be your typical high school experience. It wasn’t—and that’s exactly what made it so valuable.

Through Timothy’s semester-long internship program, Ryan gained hands-on experience in forensic science—an opportunity that confirmed his dream of becoming a forensic pathologist.

“I got to do way more than I thought I would,” Ryan said. “I observed autopsies, filed toxicology reports, reviewed scene photos, and helped gather information from next of kin.”

His interest in forensic science was sparked years ago, inspired by his mother, a funeral director. “I’ve been around the funeral business since I was little,” he said. “That’s what got me interested in this career.”

I feel like I’m way more prepared for college because of this internship. It gave me confidence in my career choice and helped me grow as a person."

At Timothy, Ryan took the forensic science class, which helped lay the foundation for his internship. “That class was great preparation,” he said. “It gave me a solid background—and the internship made it real. I got to see what the job actually looks like.”

At the coroner’s office, Ryan even joined investigators on active death scene investigations. “We went into homes and assessed the scene, talked with police, paramedics, and family members,” he said. “I saw how they determine the cause of death in the field, and how they approach each case with professionalism and compassion.”

The experience was both eye-opening and affirming. “The work can be hard emotionally,” Ryan said, “but it showed me that I can handle it—and that this is what I really want to do.”

Timothy’s internship program is designed to provide exactly this kind of clarity. By connecting students with professionals in the field, it gives them a head start—offering real-world experience while they’re still in high school.

“I feel like I’m way more prepared for college because of this internship,” Ryan said. “It gave me confidence in my career choice and helped me grow as a person.”

For Ryan, the path ahead is clear: he plans to study biology in college, go on to medical school, and become a forensic pathologist. And thanks to his internship, he’s already one step ahead.