Name: Nicole Fiol
Hometown: Bayamón, Puerto Rico
Current City: Pallisa, Uganda
University: University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus
Degree, Major, Graduation Year: BA Political Science, 2006
Intern Session and Year, Location: Summer 2007, Washington, DC
Agency: United States Census Bureau
“HNIP was more than just an Internship Program.
It was my ticket to the career I always dreamed about.”
Tell me about your internship experience:
My name is Nicole Fiol, and I had the opportunity to participate on the HACU Summer 2007 Internship Program at the US Census Bureau. Working as an intern in the Customer Liaison and Marketing Services Department was one of the most educational experiences in my professional career. My primary job assignments consisted of assisting the department by preparing workshops and presentations that were used around the country. Also, I assisted my co-workers at their meetings and exhibition booths at major national conferences. Other responsibilities included training staff members on developing some of the skills required to work with some of the bureau programs, such as “American Fact Finder” and “Data Farrett”, at the Census Information Center.
To me, the most important skill I developed during my internship was becoming a “team player”. At work, a supervisor demands from everyone to be professional, ethical, and productive. But one important factor that makes a work environment efficient is to collectively work as a team. It does not matter whether one person has a more advanced degree or works faster than the rest of the group; respect towards your peers is an essential part of being team player and having a healthy work atmosphere. If one analyzes: who are those that get the promotions? And, is it all just about producing results? No. It really is about the people that bring out the best qualities of their teammates.
While interning at the Census Bureau, I took advantage of the opportunity to enroll in summer statistic courses after work hours. I wanted to be more productive at my job, and thought that studying statistics was an excellent way of becoming pro-active. Not knowing at the time that by doing that, I was offered a permanent job at the agency as a Program Analyst.
During that summer, I also started volunteering at different organizations around the District, as a way to familiarize myself with what is known as the ‘DC Lifestyle’ or ‘DC Culture’. One of them was the National Peace Corps Association. I learned about opportunities to serve my country through the organization, and decided to start the application process. While working on the application, I encountered challenges on the road, and as a result, I was given an amazing opportunity to testify at a US Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing in support of the Peace Corps Volunteer Empowerment Act, which advocates for more support recruiting Hispanics in the Peace Corps.
Later on, I became a Legislative Correspondent at the office of Sen. Charles E. Schumer [D-NY]. My portfolio included the Health Care Reform, Puerto Rico, Census 2010 and Hispanic Issues. Currently, I now serve as a Community Health and Economic Development Volunteer in Uganda with the United States Peace Corps.
Practical advice for prospective interns:
Being a HACU Intern comes with great responsibilities. I remember when HACU’s Director spoke to us on our first orientation. He said to think of ourselves as ‘Small Ambassadors’ of the Hispanic Community. You’re not here just to get work experience and expand your resume. You are here to open doors for future Hispanic coworkers and HACU Interns; to lead by example.
Most of you will be on your first internship, away from family and friends in a new city, and that could be quite challenging. Don’t forget that HNIP Staffers and Alumni are there to assist you on any of your concerns. Think of us as ‘Big Brothers & Sisters’. Don’t be afraid to use the resources around you. We will always be here to help you achieve your goals.
Name: Luis R. Gonzalez Velazquez
Hometown: Moca, Puerto Rico
Current City: Portsmouth, Rhode Island
College/University: University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus
Degree, Major, graduation year: B.S. Mechanical Engineering, 1997
Intern session and year, location: 1994,Germantown MD; 1995,Oakridge, TN; 1996, Langley, VA;
Agency: DOE Environmental Management Office, Central Intelligence Agency Directorate of Science and Technology
Current Agency: Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Newport RI
Tell us about your internship experience: My name is Luis R. Gonzalez Velazquez and I'm a Mechanical Engineer from Puerto Rico. HACU changed my life. Plain and simple. I first learned about HACU from my roommate in late March of 1994, a time when Bill Clinton was president of the US and when there were no iGadgets like today. I still remember when I got the phone call telling me that I was accepted. It was especially meaningful to me because not only it was going to be my first job in an engineering field, but it was also my first time ever out of Puerto Rico.
In the summer of 1994 I had the opportunity to evaluate and learn about the technology used at the Department of Energy to clean-up land, water, and air at various contaminated sites around the nation. That summer I also had the opportunity to travel to Oakridge, TN and see what was being done to clean-up sites that were contaminated during the development of the first Atomic Bomb.
In the summer of 1995 my internship took place at DOE's Environmental Management Office in Oakridge, TN learning and helping out with the management and transportation process of various types of radioactive and chemical waste. In the summer of 1996 I had the unique opportunity to work at the Central Intelligence Agency doing engineering design and qualification of technology used for intelligence gathering. Sorry, no details as you may well understand why. It was nice seeing how the number of interns went up from about 90 in 1994, to over 160 in 1995, and finally to around 300 in 1996.
My work experience at HACU helped me to obtain a job at the private sector right after I got my degree. I worked there for three years and decided to look for a job with federal government. The combined work experience from HACU and the private sector helped me to get a job with the Department of Defense at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Newport, Rhode Island. I have worked there for the past 10 years and have had a wonderful and successful career.
The work experience obtained thru HACU opened many doors for me, although there is another part of participating in HACU's summer internships that I'll never forget: the friendships made during the summer, the places I visited, the fun I had with so many people from around the nation, and the feeling of being part of a Hispanic community who looked after each other. All these wonderful experiences made me more confident and helped me understand that with my talents I could go as far as I wanted; and most importantly that there were people out there willing to open the doors for you. It is also nice to go back to DC with my family every now and then and be able to tell my daughter stories of my HACU experience: "...that building is where I held my first job..."
Practical advice for prospective interns: Make the best of your internship. Ask for a mentor and learn from them. Give 100% of your talents and you'll be noticed for sure. Oh, and enjoy DC!!! There is s lot to do and a lot to see.
Name: Luis F. Hess
Hometown: Bartlesville, OK
Current City: St. Louis, MO
College/University, Degree, major, graduation year: Saint Louis University: B.A., Philosophy, Political Science, 2005; University of Arizona: M.A., Political Science, 2007; Saint Louis University: J.D., Law Degree, 2010
Intern session and year, location: Summer 2007, Fort Collins, CO
Agency: USDA
Tell us about your internship experience: I spent my summer working as a legal intern under the careful guide of two USDA supervisors. My primary duties included researching litigation cases involving inventory, monitoring, and other environmental issues. I also interviewed other agency attorneys and subject matter experts to identity issues in both court cases and administrative appeals in order to assess agency strengths in related litigation. My supervisors also took me to different USDA conferences in which different administrators and subject matter experts would talk about recent administrative law changes and what steps the agency needed to take in order to carry out their duty. Overall, I am appreciative of my experiences with the USDA, that I was treated well by the staff, and I would recommend working for the USDA to anyone.
Practical advice for prospective interns:
The three most important things to interns at any education level:
(1) Be open-minded regarding the agency or business that you work for, and the type of work that you are given. No profile about a work place is complete. What matters more is how you approach your job and your colleagues. If you are open-minded, anything that you are given but have never seen before should be considered an adventure and a challenge to expand your area of expertise. However, if you are closed-minded, every assignment will seem like a chore and you will get nothing out of your time where you are.
(2) Work hard at everything you are given, whether the task at hand is big or small. People notice hard workers. No one likes to be around people who don't pull their weight. More importantly, no one wants to help someone who isn't willing to do their own work. If you want anything from letters of recommendation down to making life-long contacts, then do your job and do it well.
Luis F. Hess, M.A., J.D.
Adjunct Professor, Political Science
Saint Louis University (Fall 2010)
Name: Marisa Herrera
Hometown: Kearny, Arizona
Current City: San Jose, CA
College/University: Arizona State University/ Northern Arizona University/University of Southern California
Degree, major, graduation year: BS Agribusiness in 2000, MS Management in 2003, EdD from USC 2010.
Intern session and year, location: 1998 Summer, Boston, MA
Agency: USDA
Tell us about your internship experience: My internship experience was eye opening. I left the comfortable nest of my rural Arizona hometown and embarked on a journey that was transformative. I had only switched my major from Nutrition Pre-Med to Agribusiness in the fall of my sophomore year, so the opportunity to work for the USDA Food and Nutrition Service that same year was tremendous. I remember taking the interview call from the Director of the division while standing in my dorm room at ASU. He was personable even over the phone and I felt an immediate connection with him, a sentiment that would last well into my internship. I remember my excitement of learning I had secured this internship following this phone call and I bounded down two flights of stairs to tell everyone in my dorm lounge that I was going to Boston....but wait! I had no idea where Boston was! It could have been on another planet for all I was concerned, because I had never been to New England and at the time, I actually thought Boston was much closer to DC. So that summer, I boarded a plane, with no cell phone, no computer, no credit cards in tow, with only the clothes and necessities I could carry in two large suitcases. I remember vividly how meaningful it was for my father to give my mother the "ok" to spend what I thought at the time was a fortune on business attire. All told I think I purchased a summers worth of jackets, pants and skirts and only spent $200. I left that summer a college student and returned as a professional, not only in dress but in attitude as well. I spent that summer navigating both the do's and don'ts of the office as well as the do's and don'ts of life. I lived comfortably in a home that my two roommates and I fondly nicknamed the "Adams Family Home", which was a clap-board, multicolored house in the heart of Roslindale, MA.
I learned to ride both the bus and the "T", which for a girl who hailed from a town with no stop lights was an impressive feat. All in all, the experience was more than just about the internship. It was more than just a practical application of what I was learning in school. My colleagues at the USDA trusted me. They let me drive the federal vehicle on my own and work on Civil Rights reviews in Vermont and Rhode Island. They helped me buy everyday necessities and taught me how to survive the city. They also soothed my soul with apple pie ala mode when I was homesick. Most of all, they taught me how to be a mentor and help others reach their full potential. When I left, they gave me a framed lithograph of the Boston skyline that said, "Querida, Marisa, Buena Suerte where ever the road may lead". In fact, I tried calling Bob Canavan, the former director just this past January to tell him thank you and to let him know where that road eventually led. I was sad to hear he had retired since then, so I never got the chance to let him know how much his mentorship meant to me. While I never ended up working at the USDA and never spent much more of my career in Agribusiness, I did end up on a "Farm" of sorts.
I am now the Assistant Director of Admission at Stanford University (nicknamed "The Farm") and received a Doctorate in Education from USC. I have since traveled to many places and even lived for a stint in New York City. In fact, this year I will travel for 4 months throughout the world alongside the Archbishop Desmond Tutu as an Assistant Dean on Semester at Sea. The internship was a turning point that made all of this possible. It was the mere fact of my supervisors and colleagues trusting in me that allowed me to trust in myself. It was because of that experience that I was able to recognize that through travel, your eyes widen if only a bit more in order to imagine the unimaginable. I tell everyone I know, if you can, do an internship with HACU. I guarantee you it will touch your life, because it surely has touched mine.
Practical advice for prospective interns:
Get involved in the community around your internship site. Look for free events, classes offered after work, join a sports team. Pretend that you are really living in the community permanently and start to develop roots.....who knows, after graduation you just might end up taking a job there! While in Boston I traveled around the area on weekends, went to festivals, volunteered, received my helmsman certification from Boston's Community Boating and got to see the Boston Pop's play on the 4th of July. I loved my time in Boston!
Name: Jeff Zelaya
Hometown: Miami, Fl
Current City: Miami, Fl
College/University: Florida International University
Degree, Major, Graduation Year: Marketing Management - Summer 2011
Intern Session and year, location/ Agency: Spring 2009 - USDA - FSA
Tell us about your internship experience: My HACU internship story begins in the Winter of 2008. I was a student at Broward College and interested in an internship so that I could get some real work experience in my area of study. After doing some online research I stumbled upon the HACU website. I applied and several weeks later I was interviewing with Federal agencies for a paid internship in Washington D.C. with all my expenses paid.
Fast forward to January 15th and here I am on a plane heading to Washington D.C. during a defining moment in American history (President Obama’s Inauguration) and it also turned out to be a defining moment in my life. I want to share with you three ways that this internship experience shaped my life and how it can shape yours too.
Practical advice for prospective interns:
1) The Actual Internship
I interned for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the Human Resources department. From day one, you were given real responsibility and real projects to work on. I wasn’t fetching coffee or strictly doing administrative work. As a Marketing/HR intern I was in charge of spear heading the annual USDA aging conference. I was responsible for brainstorming ideas and then executing them. I did everything from contacting speakers to strategically coming up with a marketing campaign to promote this huge event. I also did lots of public speaking and got the opportunity to facilitate presentations on a variety of topics
2) The Networking
Right away you realize the power of networking. It’s not only what you know but who you know. HACU sets up many networking events for its interns but the interns are also frequently invited to networking events within their own agency and at various local events. I encourage future interns to take advantage of this. Meet people, learn from them and help them. The contacts that you make can help you open up doors of opportunity in your career path.
3) Community Service
I believe that when you are blessed you have an obligation to give back. There are different ways to do that. Community service helps you develop skills and also introduces you to great people. As an intern I would recommend for you to take part in community service events. Another way to be of service is to become a HACU ambassador and share with others your internship experience. You can impact others in a great way by introducing them to HACU.
HACU without a doubt changed my life. I am a totally different person because of it, HACU has opened up my door of opportunity and I am in eternal gratitude for what they have given me. To HACU and all the amazing people that work behind the scenes to make this program a huge success, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Sincerely,
Jeff Zelaya
http://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffzelaya
Name: Jonathan Santeliz
Hometown: Goshen, IN
Current City: Fes, Morocco
College/University: Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL
Degree, major, graduation year: BA, Communication, 2004
Intern session and year, location: Fall 2003, Rockville, MD
Agency: DHHS – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Tell us about your internship experience: HNIP for me was the missing link between academics and a career. Like many other Latinos who are working and going to school at the same time, it would have been impossible for me to do an unpaid internship, but I knew I needed an opportunity to showcase what I had learned before graduating. When I saw an HNIP brochure at my university’s career services office, I thought it was too good to be true: paid internship, paid travel, and assistance in finding housing. I had to call to make sure. After verifying that it was indeed legitimate and that they would do exactly as advertised, I went ahead and applied for the Fall 2003 session.
I was fortunate to be placed with a dynamic group of professionals from HHS-SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Abuse Treatment Consumer Affairs office under the leadership of Ms. Ivette Torres. While tagging along with Ms. Torres from one meeting to another, I learned a great deal about some of the inner workings of federal agencies and their relationship with the private and non-profit sector. Her staff is responsible for producing a month-long public education campaign called Recovery Month (www.recoverymonth.gov) which servers to, as the site explains, “Promote the societal benefits of alcohol and drug use disorder treatment, laud the contributions of treatment providers, and promote the message that recovery from alcohol and drug disorders in all its forms is possible.”
In my brief time at HHS-SAMHSA, I had the chance to develop a new community awareness event called Sober Rides, an event that is still part of the overall campaign today. This project allowed me to play a major role in the grant-making process. I worked with the director to assess the publicity that small-grant recipients generated. Lastly, I got to dabble a bit in their multimedia department helping to produce a short documentary and to contribute to other promotional pieces.
The internship was a résumé-enhancer for sure, but more importantly, I learned a tremendous amount from working alongside all the Recovery Month staff members, met some remarkable individuals in our nation’s capital from various networking events, and made lifelong friends with many of my fellow interns. So for anyone considering applying, take it from me that HNIP is for real! I'm currently serving a two-year tour with the Peace Corps as a Small Business Development Volunteer in Morocco. If HACU alumni would like to learn more about my Peace Corps experience, I invite everyone to check out my blog at: http://yousefdalmaghrib.blogspot.com.
Practical advice for prospective interns: I would encourage interns to take advantage of the opportunity to network with their office colleagues, private and public partners affiliated with your agency, and fellow interns. Be inquisitive and be bold.
Name: Jaqueline G. Sosa
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Current City: Arlington, VA
College/University: Southwestern College
Degree, major, graduation year: AA Computer Information Systems
Intern session and year, location: Spring 2005, Fall 2005 Washington DC @ USDA and Summer 2008 and 2010 @ NSF
Agency: USDA and NSF
Tell us about your internship experience: During my tenure at NSF in 2008, I conducted exploratory research within a variety of 3D virtual worlds (VWs) and in massive multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPG) such as Second Life (SL), World of Warcraft (WoW), Entropia Universe, There, and Lively. These environments consist of real people connected online to perform a variety of activities embodying a comprehensive economic system. I mainly worked on NSF’s groundbreaking strategic plan for establishing a virtual presence within SL as the character, Shedran Rhiadra. I spent about 15 hours preparing necessary paperwork to acquire a $1,894.70 virtual island, to start establishing a research culture among NSF staff and selected guests. I also collected about 3000 virtual objects and spent about 360 hrs analyzing and cataloging 20 virtual meeting spaces and groupware to facilitate effective future NSF virtual meeting spaces within SL.
Practical advice for prospective interns: I'm truly grateful for the three internships I have successfully completed through the HACU internship program, and I'm glad to have this opportunity to highly suggest you to do:
BEFORE your internship starts ask your mentor(s) to email you relevant material to familiarize yourself with the office work, staff, and processes. DURING your internship take all the training sessions your mentor would allow you to sign for and ask for a certificate of completion at the end each time. Also, take the time to explore the programs available within the entire agency, not only within your office, and ask your mentor to recommend you for it. AFTER your internship is over make sure you have a smart story to share with people explaining your assignments and a strong recommendation letter from your mentor to prove it.
If you have questions or comments feel free to join my Facebook forum: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=129827480390331
Name: Jacqueline Orozco
Hometown: Cicero, IL
Current City: Boise, ID
College/University: University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
Degree, major, graduation year: Broadcast Journalism BS & Minor in Spanish Graduated in 2007
Intern session and year, location: Summer 2006 & summer 2007 both in Washington D.C.
Agency: International Broadcast Bureau & Department of Veterans Affairs
Tell us about your internship experience: Junior year summer I interned at the International Broadcast Bureau in Washington, DC. I was a bilingual reporter for a newscast called Voz de Amercia and one of my memorable moments is when I met President Bill Clinton. Then I interned as a reporter/anchor at the Department of Veterans Affairs my senior year after graduation.
Practical advice for prospective interns: Since college graduation in 2007 I’ve mailed out more than 115 DVDs of all my internship work. Constant rejection or saying I did not have enough experience to be a reporter motivated me to keep going because I knew in my heart I was capable of making it. I was frustrated, sad, and confused because people would tell me to look for a different career like what most of my colleagues did and more than half are not even doing what they majored in which is broadcast journalism. But I didn’t quit. I had hope, I had confidence and I told myself I can get there, it’s just going to take patience, determination, and hard work. Six months after I graduated I finally had 5 job offers had the same time! My family was so proud of me but most importantly I was proud of myself. So even though times are tough get as much experience as you can, even when it’s not a paid internship, and the doors will open for you! Good luck!
Name: Michael Jadoo
Hometown: Miami, FL
Current City: Stockton, CA
College/University: Florida International University
Degree, major, graduation year: BA, Economics, 2009
Intern session and year, location: Summer 2009, Tracy, CA
Agency: Department of Defense, Defense Logistics Agency (DoD-DLA)
Tell us about your internship experience: HACU internship experience in the summer of 2009 was a memorable one that led to fulltime employment with the Department of Defense, Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). During my internship, I conducted several inventory and location surveys, researched and updated shipment data, performed material tracking, and researched and inspected material based on correspondence regarding potential defects. The results of the physical inventories and location surveys were used to prepare reports. This internship provided me with a vast amount of knowledge about the Department of Defense’s supply chain management operations and prepared me for my current position at the distribution depot.
Following my internship, I was hired on fulltime as a Supply Technician. At the DLA, I perform work associated with many different computer programs and have gained more experience in inventory management, location surveys, transportation, and supply discrepancy reports. Moreover, as a member of the DLA distribution depot’s research team, I compile and evaluate data in order to provide analyses and assessments.
My work is meaningful because providing our troops with proper equipment is one of the most difficult operations. However, because of the hard working men and women of the DLA, our country’s military operations overseas and throughout the world can be accomplished. Currently, I am preparing to move to Washington, D.C. where I will begin a new position with the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis as an Economist.
Practical advice for prospective interns: Prospective interns should take advantage of all the opportunities that any internship offers. Some occupations that interns attain may not fall into their field of study; however, they should still give their best performance. Employers value superior performance and are likely to recommend interns to another organization where they may find work in their respective field.
Name: Angelica M. Hernandez
Hometown: San Antonio, TX
Current City: San Antonio, TX
College/University: Our Lady of the Lake University
Degree, Major, Graduation Year: BBA, Computer Information Systems, 1996/MBA, Management, 2001
Intern Session and Year, Location: 1994, Washington, DC
Agency: Department of Commerce, Patent & Trademark Office
Tell us about your internship experience: Looking back on my life and what I have accomplished thus far, I am proud to say that it has a lot to do with the experiences I gained while interning with HACU. I feel that my research skills, computer knowledge, ability to be independent and become a leader as well as a role model for current students and my children, are all part of who I have become because of HACU. Of course, this doesn’t dismiss my upbringing and high morals that my family taught me.
While I was attending Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas, during my undergraduate studies, I was afforded the opportunity to apply for the internship. With the help and encouragement of one of my university professors and mentors as well as my work-study supervisor, I was able to overcome my fears of submitting my application because my GPA was shy of the requirements. Fortunately, it only took one phone interview and one offer to accept a position interning with the Information Systems department of the Patent and Trademark Office. From that point, I was ready to accept the ten week challenge of living in a city that I was unfamiliar with. I knew that this challenge and opportunity would help me achieve my future education and career goals that I had set for myself.
My HACU internship encompassed many experiences all rolled into one. Not only did I gain knowledge in my field of study, but I gained experience of living an independent lifestyle in the wonderful culture of Washington, D.C. It was also a personal time for volunteering at one of the city’s Hispanic events, learning the history and politics, and soaking up the arts with each Smithsonian museum that I set my foot in. I met many first-generation college students of the Hispanic race from all different cities within the United States. I established and sustained friendships with other HACU alumni, who have also become successful in their careers.
Working with the Patent and Trademark Office, I was given many opportunities to build my leadership and communication skills. My supervisor entrusted me to serve in her place at meetings and workshops and work independently. This allowed me to gain experience in management as well as to learn how to coordinate projects using project management. In the end, I left them with an executive summary of my assessment and recommendations for a key project they were building for their online text search system. That executive summary allowed me to advance my college credit hours and to be used as an elective in my degree. It was also used as a reference for many projects that I did in my college work in computer information systems as well as with my MBA studies.
I am forever grateful have had the opportunity to intern through HACU. I have been able to share this experience with everyone that I discuss my life and career experiences with. Even though my children are in elementary and middle school, I am frequently discussing with them their college goals. They are told that they should never short change themselves from any opportunity. My advice to them is to attend a college/university of their choice especially outside of San Antonio and even better if it happens to be outside of Texas. I will always have fond memories with HACU. Today, I am employed with the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio as their Development Analyst of Prospect Research. My job also includes supervising a staff of two database coordinators, which is the position I had originally started out at. I have been with the Health Science Center for 6 ½ years. My goal is to continue my career with the State of Texas and eventually work on obtaining a PhD so that I can teach at the higher education level in business administration. I enjoy volunteering my time to students and I would love to become involved with HACU here in San Antonio. I strongly believe that everything I do today has somehow tied back to that experience I had during the summer of 1994.
Practical advice for prospective interns: If you want something in life, then you should set your goals and work towards them even if they seem unattainable. Never pass up an opportunity that will broaden who you are as an individual. There is a reason and purpose for where you are today and that experience you gain will take you to the next journey or phase of your life. Be ready and open because the sky is the limit.
Name: Meredith Wagner
Hometown: San Antonio, TX
Current City: New Orleans, LA
College/University: St. Mary’s University, BA; 2005
Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, MPH, 2007
Degree, Major, Graduation Year: BA, English (minor in Biology), MPH, Health Education and Communication, 2007
Intern Session, Year, Location: June 2007, New Orleans, LA
Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Tell us about your internship experience: I was looking for good experience that also paid the summer before my last semester at Tulane, so I applied for a HACU internship. I was selected by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration, Healthcare Retention and Recruitment Office (HRRO) to analyze programs in the office. I came in having to learn the program, analyze, and make recommendations by the end of the summer. I had a challenge ahead of me but was able to learn about this program as well as many other programs the VA offered.
I never had the VA on my radar as a career option, but after the summer, my boss asked me to stay on during my last semester of graduate school. I was excited to continue my experience. After graduating, I was able to stay on as a permanent employee for HRRO. Now I manage several national student programs, which is a great fit for me. I’m an advocate for these programs because I know what great things can come out of them, not only for students, but for the Department of Veteran Affairs.
Practical advice for prospective interns: My advice for prospective interns is to keep an open mind. It’s exciting to go different cities, but if I would not have had the opportunity to have my internship in the same location as my school, I may not be on the career path I’m on now. I also would not have even looked at the VA as a career option. However, after working here, I realized how big and diverse this organization is.
Name: Salvador L. Ortiz
Hometown: Visalia, CA
Current City: Rockville, MD
College/University: California State University, Fresno
Degree, Major, Graduation Year: BA, Social Work, 2008 (with a General Business Minor)
Intern Session and Year, Location: Spring, summer, and fall 2008, Washington, D.C.
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (DHHS-SAMHSA)
Tell us about your internship experience: The HACU National Internship Program (HNIP) changed my career plans for the best. If it weren’t for HNIP, I probably never would have ventured out to the opposite side of the country from California. Prior to participating in the internship program, I didn’t know much about federal careers and never even considered working for the federal government. It did not cross my mind because I had never heard of any federal job openings back home.
Having completed three internship sessions at DHHS-SAMHSA gave me the required experience necessary to be eligible for a federal job. I recently transitioned from being a federal contractor to a regular federal employee with DHHS-SAMHSA. When I first began my internship, I was fortunate enough to have great mentors who treated me professionally and trusted in my abilities to perform the required duties of a Grants Management Specialist.
Practical advice for prospective interns: HACU literally opens doors of opportunity. And once that door is opened, it is up to YOU to take advantage of it and not take for granted what has been presented. What you get from your internship is literally what you are willing to put into it. Don’t settle for anything less than what you think are worth and shoot for the stars. HACU provides more than enough activities for participants to orient themselves with their surroundings and provides a great learning environment - take advantage of it! Having been born to Spanish speaking immigrants and being the first in my family to graduate from college, I never thought that I would be living in our nation’s capital; but because of the opportunity that was provided to me through HACU, this is precisely what I am doing and I am excited to see what the future brings.
Name: Christopher Ochoa
Hometown: Madera, California
Current City: Fullerton, California
College/University: California State University, Fullerton
Degree, Major, Graduation Year: BS Computer Science & Mathematics, 2010
Intern Session and Year, Location: Summer 2009, Washington, DC
Agency: United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
Tell us about your internship experience: When I received the phone call from USAID to arrange an interview for a summer internship, I wondered what someone with my background could offer an international development agency. After doing my own research on USAID, I quickly realized that this would be an ideal place for me to gain a different perspective about government work.
I had the opportunity to work in the Office of the Chief Operating Officer, or the “COO”, as all of my colleagues would say. One of my assignments and most memorable experiences was giving the morning briefings to the USAID administrator. I had to wake up extremely early to catch the first metro since I had to be at the office by 6:00 a.m. to read news articles for the morning briefing that began at 7:00 a.m. The thought of briefing the USAID administrator made me feel excited and nervous at the same time. I remember reminding myself that not every student intern had this opportunity so I needed to be well prepared for each meeting.
Working in the COO’s office provided me insight into the agency as a whole and I learned how USAID was managed from a business perspective. I took my role seriously and made sure that I succeeded at each task I was given. My work projects incorporated my quantitative background while also making me comfortable with responsibilities outside of my area of expertise.
Also, by being surrounded by USAID senior staff, I grew professionally. During my internship, I was a sponge and absorbed all of the advice and information that was given to me. I was being mentored by the same people who visited the White House on a daily basis, the same people who make very important decisions to keep our country strong.
Overall, my internship experience at USAID was a great one and was life changing. I gained a new perspective about government work and realized that USAID is the agency where I hope to be employed in the future. The people, the atmosphere, the type of work, and most importantly what the agency represents made my internship experience memorable. HACU and USAID helped me grow as a young professional who aspires to make a difference in this world. I am grateful for organizations like HACU that encourage success among minorities and have opened doors of opportunity for me.
Practical advice for prospective interns: Future interns should be proactive, learn, ask lots of questions, and simply be conscious that they are surrounded by people who work for the government. Don’t let this be intimidating, but remember that it is important to be professional and confident at all times. People at that level like to see motivated, enthusiastic students who want to make something of themselves.
Name: Maritza Huerta
Hometown: Anaheim, California
Current City: Arlington, VA
College/University: California State University, Fullerton/Georgetown University
Degree, Major, Graduation Year: Communications (emphasis in Broadcast Journalism), Winter 2009/ Public Relations and Corporate Communications, Summer 2011 (anticipated)
Intern Session and Year, Location, Agency: United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS), Summer 2007/ United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Summer 2008, Fall 2008, Spring 2009, Summer 2009
Tell us about your internship experience: You have to apply to HACU,” exclaimed my twin sister, Maricela, who had spent the summer in Washington, DC interning for the U.S. Treasury. This short sentence sparked my life-changing experience with the Hispanic National Internship Program. My first internship was with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) in summer 2007. I must admit that I spent the first week trying to get a clear understanding of my job responsibilities
I understand that you want me to help improve communication between supervisors and employees, but how do you want me to do that?” I asked my supervisor. “Is there a specific project you want me to develop or implement?" She replied, “I do not have answers to those questions. I trust that with your skills you will develop an innovative way to solve this issue.” At that moment I realized that my supervisor had given me the same trust and expectations she had for all full-time permanent employees. She did not see me as just a student, but instead saw me as her colleague. The one-stop-shop intranet site I created for APHIS supervisors and employees quickly gained the attention and respect of leadership.
My next internship was with the USDA Forest Service (FS) from summer 2008 through summer 2009. I was given the unique opportunity, per my supervisor’s request, to work part-time from California during the fall and spring semesters.
I had the opportunity to work on a diverse range of projects from strategic communication plans and web design, to a greenhouse gas inventory. One of the most fulfilling aspects of my FS position was working with our school partnerships across the country. I had the opportunity to take business trips to our partnership schools in Munford, Alabama and Albuquerque, New Mexico to advance our mission to improve environmental literacy and connect kids to nature
As a result of my internship, I am now a full-time employee with the USDA Forest Service.
While in Washington, DC and meeting other successful interns, I was inspired to continue pursuing higher education and became the first in my family of ten to be accepted to a graduate program. I am currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Corporate Communications and Public Relations at Georgetown University. After I was accepted, my older sister and twin sister decided to also pursue a master’s degree.
In addition to the career and educational opportunities, I was also blessed to meet some of the most motivated and intelligent students from all across the country. I have made life-long friends who understand what it takes to accomplish their goals and are driven to do so.
Practical advice for prospective interns: I recommend for all prospective interns to volunteer and assist with projects or events that are not neccessarily in their job description. The best way to explore various career opportunities within a company and agency is to get involved with other departments. Even the smallest contribution to other projects will give you valuable exposure to potential employers.
Name: Jay Juan Garcia
Hometown: San Antonio, TX
Current City: Dallas, TX (Lewisville)
College/University: Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi/The University of North Texas (in process)
Degree, Major, Graduation Year: BBA, Business Administration (Marketing & minor in Communications), MBA, Business Marketing
Intern Session, Year, Location, Agency: Summer 2008, United States Census Bureau/Summer 2009, Sodexo
Tell us about your internship experience: My name is Jay Garcia and I was fortunate enough to participate in two HACU summer sessions in 2008 and 2009. Both of my internship experiences were fantastic in terms of selection, location, and agency. Having been granted the opportunity to showcase my acquired skills in such professional environments has boosted my career and knowledge. The knowledge and real world experience I gained with HACU is something that has no price.
While at the Census Bureau, I worked with regional Census managers and directors on projects including publications, data and property management, design and implementation of mapping, and other special projects. At Sodexo, I served as a Management Intern where I researched and developed proposals that lead to face-to-face contract negotiations resulting in multimillion dollar contracts for the company. Throughout my downtime, I devoted time during my internship to applying for job opportunities. Luckily everything worked out well, and by the time my internship was over, I walked straight into my own office at Latino Leaders Magazine where I currently serve as the Marketing Director at only 23 years old. In my current role, I oversee all marketing, partnering, advertising, promotional staff and activities related to the magazine. I also establish marketing strategies to meet organizational objectives, evaluate customer research, market conditions, and competitor data to implement a profitable marketing strategy.
Furthermore, having been showcased on the cover of HACU’s 2008-2009 brochure raised much awareness about my accomplishments from others in the professional workforce, which in turn has lead to even more opportunities.
I look forward to future networking opportunities with other HACU alumni and ways we can utilize our assets for future growth amongst Latinos in the US. If you would like to keep in touch, please feel free to contact me.
Practical advice for prospective interns: One word I highly utilized during my time with HACU would summarize my success: “Network.” I highly encourage all HACU interns to break out of their comfort zone and put themselves out there to all. Currently, I still keep in touch with every intern I was able to befriend from orientation to leaving my agency where I interned; and I can say that these are the individuals who will play a vital role in your network of professionals for future years to come. And last but not least, have fun. This internship is not only a professional experience, but more so a personal one; so work hard and always remember to see the glass half full!
