I am currently in my third year at the University of Puerto Rico at Bayamón, in the Faculty of Business. My major is in Marketing, I decided to do a summer internship because although at the University of Puerto Rico I learned the theoretical frameworks for marketing strategies, I had yet to be exposed to practical on-the-ground approaches to help improve any organization image.

My internship has been challenging and fun; it has allowed me to gain new skills, experience and opened my eyes to endless opportunities. The staff have been really friendly and are there every step of the way to see you succeed. I have really enjoyed working at the U.S. Census. It has given me loads of new skills and shown me that I could do lots of things I didn’t know I could.  Everyone at the Census has been really lovely and always willing to help me with everything. HNIP gave me an opportunity to see a side of the Federal government I was not aware off.  I did not know that there was an immense amount of opportunity for minorities within the Federal Government.  It also gave me valuable interpersonal skills that I will carry with me for a life time.  Sharing an apartment with 3 individuals from different parts of the country that later became my friends was an indescribable experience.  HNIP has been the biggest positive impact in my life up to this point.

I loved my first HNIP experience, through this internship, I was able to meet so many wonderful people that were willing to share their success stories and help you achieve success. I really felt like part of a team because the supervisors and staff treated you like a co-worker, and not just like an intern. I was also able to gain credit from my university for doing these internships. Networking was another valuable tool that I gained by being in HACU.  I met many wonderful and exciting individuals that were just as hardworking and determined as myself. I know that these individuals will the future leaders of tomorrow and that is what HACU prides itself in doing. HACU really does stand for its motto, “opening the doors of opportunity” and I am grateful to them for allowing me to be a part of this great organization.

Michelle Negrón Jiménez
Internship at DOC - Bureau of Census
From 5/28/2007 to 8/10/2007

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