I asked Trinity students to send me some essays on their summer internship experiences. Wow! Here are their amazing reports:
Senior Megan Tarr (above, left, with some of her summer camp friends), a Business major, has two exceptional experiences to report:
“This past summer I took part in a program called CISV (Children’s International Summer Village). This is a 100% volunteer based organization that teaches children the importance of building global friendships by learning about the world. I was a camp counselor for three 11 year old children from the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area. We ventured to the Philippines, where 12 other countries from around the world learned and grew with us for one month. This experience taught me that no matter the age everyone can teach and everyone can learn. In helping these children learn about making friends, open minds, and positive attitudes they helped me see how much I have grown and learned about the world. For this I thank the friends and professors I have come to love at Trinity.
“In addition to an amazing summer travel experience, I also landed an internship in the Office of Web Communications at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In applying for this internship I used a writing sample from my senior seminar last semester. In this writing sample I explored the business structures of the company Duke Energy, while highlighting their relationship with the EPA. Immediately I thought of the push and pulled of information shared in my discussion style seminar, and the writing sample that emerged as a result.”
Junior Brittany Joyner, a Psychology major, has this amazing report:
“This summer, I was chosen to attend the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL) in June held at the University of Maryland campus. I was honored to be among so many extraordinary and talented women who want to make a difference in the world. I was even more excited that I was going to be representing my college, Trinity Washington University. I was a bit nervous about attending a conference for the first time, especially since I was the only student from my college that was chosen to attend, but I had a blast! I was given the chance to meet some incredible women and share with them stories of struggle and success. While at the conference, I met members of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), an organization dedicated to advancing the equity of women. I also listened to powerful speeches from keynote speakers such as Hilary Clinton (daughter of former President Bill Clinton) and Deanna Zandt (media technologist and author). I attended a Graduate College Fair where I spoke to college representatives about my interest in career fields that include Psychology and Education. I also attended several workshops, one of my favorites being the This I Believe workshop which focused on the art of storytelling, how to use it as a tool to connect with others and enhance student organizations or corporate businesses. After attending the workshop, I realized the importance of storytelling, its impact on individuals and how it draws people closer together and decided to utilize the storytelling tool as a way to enhance my student organization, Women on a Mission. When I return to campus, I will be sure to use all of the knowledge and resources that I gained from the conference and share it with my Trinity sisters. I hope that next year more of my Trinity sisters will be able to attend the conference. I’m certain that all of the women could benefit from attending the event and will leave feeling inspired, motivated and empowered. I also hope to establish an AAUW chapter at Trinity so that my sisters can get involved in the advocacy for women’s rights.
“I spent the remainder of my summer working as an intern for the United Planning Organization Youth Services Division. I was offered an opportunity to be employed as an Assistant Program Director for a youth summer program sponsored by the Children’s Defense Fund called Freedom Schools. With this opportunity I was able to explore my teaching interests by assisting in the classroom, organizing educational activities, communicating with parents and working with children with ADHD, ADD and other learning/behavioral disorders. I was also able to enhance my leadership skills by helping my director run the facility and display my creativity by planning and decorating for events.
“The Freedom Schools program is deeply rooted in the history of the Civil Rights Movement and the Mississippi Freedom Summer Project of 1964 which promoted the educating of African-American voters and eventually led to the passing of the Voting Rights Act Bill of 1965. I assisted in teaching the kids at the program about the importance of voting so that they could understand how it affects their future. I also accompanied the children on a field trip to the U.S. Supreme Court Building, where they hosted their second “Lets Read! Let’s Move!” event created by First Lady Michelle Obama. The children listened to a book entitled “Marshall The Courthouse Mouse: A Tail of the Supreme Court” which was read by a few of our nations officials including, Secretary Arne Duncan, U.S. Supreme Court Marshal Pamela Talkin and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia Burwell. In return, the children promoted a National Day of Social Action where the children presented a showcase about the importance of voting for early childhood education resources and their parents filled out pledge to vote forms.
“At the end of the summer program, I hosted a Finale Showcase which was a compilation of the students’ talents and knowledge. I feel so blessed to have had this opportunity to serve and cater to the needs of children in struggling urban communities, while working for an organization that has such a deep, historical purpose. This experience opened my eyes up to the importance of early childhood education and the need for more great teachers to guide and educate our youth. It also helped me recognize my personal capabilities as a leader and a teacher. I am so proud of myself and all that I’ve gained—effective tactics for working with children with learning/behavioral disorders, a strong sense of self and a great deal of patience. I’m also proud of all the children I encountered in the program and all that they’ve learned and retained at such a young age. They give me hope that they will be the voices of change in the future!
“Everything I experienced this summer directly aligned to my involvement on Trinity’s campus. This summer helped me to appreciate new endeavors and reminded me that everything is a learning experience and that there is always room for growth. I am determined to return to Trinity this semester eager to learn, lead, inspire and grow!”
Senior Kelly M. Poole writes about her internship at Washingtonian Magazine:
“This summer I have been interning in Advertising and Marketing with Washingtonian Magazine. I’ve been lucky enough to assist in business plans and event planning for the magazine’s biggest event of the year “Best of Washington” which was held at the National Building Museum and had an Alice in Wonderland theme. I’ve always wanted to work for a magazine so this internship has been a dream come true. Attending Cathy Merrill Williams’ intern talk was also very enlightening as to how the magazine has evolved over time with her at the helm. I’ve been networking and making it a priority to represent Trinity in the best ways possible.”
If you have an interesting internship or other educational/professional experience you’d like to share with the Trinity community on my blog, send your essay to me at president@trinitydc.edu Photos are welcome but please send them as jpeg attachments. Thanks!
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