TSIC Alum Stephen Helwig's Story



TSIC Alum Stephen Helwig

Take Stock in Children Director of Alumni Affairs, Kevin Bulger, recently had the opportunity to speak with TSIC alum Stephen Helwig. Stephen’s story is an excellent example of how TSIC continues to shape lives. Read the full interview below:

 

Take Stock: Can you tell us a little bit about your background? Where did you grow up? Where did you go to college and what did you study?

 

Stephen Helwig: I was born in Jamaica and moved to the United States when I was eight years old. Until 7th grade I lived in Boynton Beach, just south of West Palm. At the start of 7th grade my family moved to Palm Bay, FL and I attended Covenant Christian School. Eventually I switched to West Shore Junior/Senior High School in my sophomore year. I received the Take Stock in Children scholarship in the 11^th grade. At first I did not receive a mentor, but I was very fortunate to be matched with one during my senior year.

I attended Brevard Community College (BCC) and received my AA degree; afterwards I moved to Orlando and attended the University of Central Florida (UCF). In 2007 I got my bachelors degree in Management Information Systems (MIS) from UCF.

 

TS: What has been your career path after college? Can you tell us about your current job?

 

SH: After I moved to Orlando in 2006 to finish my college degree, I began looking for internships and entry level positions before I finished my college coursework. I was fortunate enough to have a friend who was interning at Siemens, which is an international electronics and electrical engineering firm with their Energy Division US headquarters in Orlando. He told me that Siemens was looking for student interns with MIS majors, and, with his help, I was able to secure an internship there, which later turned into a full time position.

In total, I worked at Siemens for 6 years and made my way up the ladder to become a Level 2 IT Architect. However, the farther I moved up the chain at Siemens the less they asked their employees to develop their technical skills, which was a skill set I still wanted to develop. I also wanted to transition from internal IT support, to working on a product that was a revenue stream for the company. This led me to accept my current position as IT Architect at Silverpop, which is based in Atlanta, GA. At Silverpop, I get the opportunity to further expand my technical skills building an email marketing solution using cutting edge cloud and web technologies.

 

TS: When did you first become involved in Take Stock in Children?

 

SH: My guidance counselor at West Shore actually brought it to my attention during an English class. At first I brushed it off and didn’t pay any attention to her. But she persisted, called my family, and eventually I was forced to sign up. A year later I found out that I received this scholarship.

 

TS: Who was your mentor? Can you talk about your relationship with your mentor?

 

SH: Dyer Matlock was my mentor. In the beginning, I wasn’t paired with a mentor, and, at first, I didn’t think I needed a mentor because I thought only the kids who got into trouble got mentors. I was never a kid who got into trouble. But, in my senior year, I was paired with Dyer who has become a lifelong friend and role model for me. In the beginning, we met once a week and after high school graduation we would work on cars together and do woodworking together. Over time he became like a family member to me and we still talk regularly over the phone. In fact, he and his wife are planning to make a visit to Atlanta to see me and my wife. We’re looking forward to their visit!

 

TS: Would you say Take Stock in Children impacted your life? How so?

 

SH: Take Stock in Children impacted my life in many different facets. First, Take Stock introduced me to Dyer, who as I mentioned, is someone who I will be friends with for the rest of our lives. Second, the scholarship got me on track to obtain a degree and not get burdened by student debt. I only had to take out loans to pay for my living expenses while at UCF, which was very minimal. This investment also had a great impact on my family because with my college tuition paid for, it allowed my mother to help afford my brother’s college expenses. In the end we were both able to get jobs and improve our family’s future prospects.

Take Stock congratulates Stephen on all of his accomplishments, as he stands as a real role model for current TSIC students!

Take Stock In Children Salutes Top Volunteer Mentor

In celebration of National Volunteer Week, Take Stock in Children honored one of 7,500 Florida volunteer mentors with the organization's most prestigious award. Dr. Charles Voorhis was honored as Take Stock in Children's 2013 Mentor of the Year at a ceremony earlier this year.

 

A retired physician, Dr. Voorhis got involved with his local Take Stock in Children program in Bay County. Like all Take Stock mentors, Voorhis has worked diligently to "change a life over lunch" with the students he mentors. His weekly meetings with his students help to keep them focused on graduating from high school and attending college. Voorhis' caring nature did not stop with motivating his students to excel in education- Johnny Atwell 's personal life was also significantly impacted by the Mentor of the Year.

 

Atwell was in a serious automobile accident after graduation- one that left him paralyzed and unable to walk. Mentor Voorhis guided Atwell and his family through the maze of medical resources available and helped them access needed financial support. He faithfully visited Atwell in the hospital and in his handicapped-accessible apartment. After a year of recovery and therapy, Atwell entered Gulf State College and Voorhis couldn't be prouder.

 

"The bond formed between volunteer mentors and students is a lasting and transformational one," said Dan Lyons, interim CEO of Take Stock in Children. "We are proud to honor Dr. Voorhis, and all of our 7,500 volunteer mentors for their commitment to higher education and Florida's at-risk youth."

Scholar Spotlight: Laura Gomez

Laura Gomez, an honor student from George Jenkins High School, was selected in 10^th grade by the Polk Education Foundation’s Take Stock in Children scholarship mentoring program to receive a Ronald McDonald House Charities/Tampa Bay Florida Prepaid tuition scholarship valued at approximately $5500.

 

As a senior this year, Laura has continued to apply for scholarships and is now a national finalist for the Bill and Melinda Gates Scholarship and was recently selected by Florida Southern College as one of five George Jenkins Scholars who will receive a full scholarship for all unmet financial need, including room and board, when she starts in the fall. The scholarship also includes $2,000 per semester living stipend. Rounding out the package with her Bright Futures, State scholarships and PELL grants, Laura has set her sights on a Masters degree in Nursing.

 

Congratulations on all of your accomplishments, Laura. We are so proud of you!

SAT versus ACT

Pepsi versus Coke

Cowboys versus Indians

Disney versus Nickelodeon

SAT versus ACT

As College Success Coaches, we often get asked which is better, the SAT (Standardized Achievement Test) or the ACT (American College Testing) for college admissions?  Colleges will accept either the SAT or ACT. So which should you take?  Below is advice from test prep aficionado, the Princeton Review:

It's all about the numbers. Some students end up scoring substantially higher on the SAT; others do better on the ACT. In lieu of a crystal ball, we created The Princeton Review Assessment (PRA) designed to help you determine which test is better fit with your abilities.

To help you zero in on the right exam, here are seven key differences:

1.     ACT questions tend to be more straightforward

ACT questions are often easier to understand on a first read. On the SAT, you may need to spend time figuring out what you're being asked before you can start solving the problem. For example, here are sample questions from the SAT essay and the ACT writing test (their name for the essay):

SAT: What is your view of the claim that something unsuccessful can still have some value?
ACT: In your view, should high schools become more tolerant of cheating?

2.     The SAT has a stronger emphasis on vocabulary

If you're an ardent wordsmith, you'll love the SAT. If words aren't your thing, you may do better on the ACT.

3.     The ACT has a Science section, while the SAT does not

You don't need to know anything about amoebas or chemical reactions for the ACT Science section. It is meant to test your reading and reasoning skills based upon a given set of facts. But if you're a true science-phobe, the SAT might be a better fit.

4.     The ACT tests more advanced math concepts

In addition to basic arithmetic, algebra I and II, and geometry, the ACT tests your knowledge of trigonometry, too. That said, the ACT Math section is not necessarily harder, since many students find the questions to be more straightforward than those on the SAT.

5.     The ACT Writing Test is optional on test day, but required by many schools

The 25-minute SAT essay is required and is factored into your writing score. The 30-minute ACT writing test is optional. If you choose to take it, it is not included in your composite score — schools will see it listed separately. Many colleges require the writing section of the ACT, so be sure to check with the schools where you are applying before opting out.

6.     The SAT is broken up into more sections

On the ACT, you tackle each content area (English, Math, Reading and Science) in one big chunk, with the optional writing test at the end. On the SAT, the content areas (Critical Reading, Math and Writing) are broken up into 10 sections, with the required essay at the beginning. You do a little math, a little writing, a little critical reading, a little more math, etc. When choosing between the SAT and ACT, ask yourself if moving back and forth between content areas confuse you or keep you energized?

7.     The ACT is more of a "big picture" exam

College admissions officers care about how you did on each section of the SAT. On the ACT, they're most concerned with your composite score. So if you're weak in one content area but strong in others, you could still end up with a very good ACT score and thus make a strong impression with the admissions committee.

Leaders 4 Life Fellow Wade McDonald Recognized

2013 Leaders 4 Life (L4L) Fellow Wade McDonald was recently featured in the Women of Sugarmill Woods' newsletter, highlighting his accomplishment of receiving a L4L scholarship.  Leaders 4 Life is a scholarship program within Take Stock in Children (TSIC) funded by the Asofsky Family Foundation that provides scholarships to five Florida students each year. Wade was onboarded as a TSIC student in 2008, and the Women of Sugarmill Woods are the sponsors of his TSIC scholarship. Below is an excerpt from the glowing newsletter article that features Wade's accomplishments:

Several local and state dignitaries were present for the [Leaders 4 Life] awards ceremony. State Representative Jimmie Smith told Wade that he now has an opportunity to change the world. Superintendent of Citrus County Schools, Sam Himmel, added that Wade comes from great stock and that he is a great representative of our county. Sheriff Jeffrey Dawsey said that in his job he sees both the best and the worst of our young people today, and all too often only the bad ones make the front page of the newspaper, but Wade represents success and his story belongs on the front page of the paper. (Wade’s award was indeed the front page story on the January 31st edition of the Citrus Chronicle!)

Sheriff Dawsey added that Wade had a vision, had goals, and he created a path to reach his goals. His passion will get him where he wants to go. Bob Allen, Wade’s mentor in TSIC during his four years at Lecanto High School, remembered a shy, introverted young boy when he first met Wade. But they hit it off well. Bob has seen how Wade has developed and matured into a successful young man with a great sense of humor, positive values, good self-image, and good work ethic. He’s polite; he’s prompt; and he helps others. He’s a special young man. Both Ginger Bryant, chairwoman of Citrus County School Board and Pat Lancaster, Citrus-Levy TSIC coordinator, echoed Bob’s description of Wade, and they both appreciate what Wade has done to help other students in the TSIC program.

We join the Women of Sugarmill Woods in congratulating Wade, and we are so proud of all of his accomplishments!

Wade McDonald at the Leaders 4 Life Award Presentation

Wade's brother Shane, father Blaine, Wade, and mother Joan

Happy AmeriCorps Week!

Happy AmeriCorps Week! AmeriCorps can mean a lot of things to many different people, whether it is volunteering, building park trails, working with homeless youth, or advocating for students, one thing is for sure – AmeriCorps members make an impact in their community.

 

Check out the grand prize winner in the 2010 AmeriCorps Video Contest:

 

Here at Take Stock in Children, our AmeriCorps term is definitely many of these things and more.  Everyday, students inspire us, challenge us, and encourage us to be better individuals, volunteers, and citizens.  We thank you for the opportunity to serve you in order to “Get Things Done!”

Game Changers - the Story of Mitchell Marcus

TSIC’s annual Leadership Summit kicks off tomorrow in Tallahassee, Florida and is all about “Game Changers in Education.”  A recent story about high school student Mitchell Marcus broke last week, and is a true Game Changer, one rich with leadership, inclusivity, and sportsmanship.  Check out this great video and read more from the Huffington Post below:

 

A special needs student from a Texas high school scored a basket in the final game of the season after a player from the opposing team gave up the ball.

Mitchell Marcus, a teenage student at Coronado High School in El Paso, Texas, is the team manager for the Coronado Thunderbirds and an avid basketball fan. During the last game of the season on Feb. 12, Marcus, who has a "developmental disability," was given the chance to play, according to Fox local affiliate KFOX 14 in El Paso. With 90 seconds left, Coach Peter Morales put Marcus into the game.

"Mitchell's a great shot," his mother Amy told KFOX. "He took his first shot and missed. It hit the rim. You just hear the whole crowd sighing. It went out of bounds and Franklin got it. We all knew that he wasn't going to have his chance."

Then, Jonathon Montanez, a senior at Franklin High School and a member of the opposing team, down by 10 points, tossed Marcus the ball. "Since we were down and there was only 13 seconds left, might as well give Mitchell his last shot," Montanez told KFOX.

Marcus finally scored, and the crowd went wild.

A video of the game and Marcus' basket went viral after being uploaded online.

CBS News correspondent Steve Hartnan knew he wanted to tell Marcus's story. "It's America at its best," he told the El Paso Times. "When I grew up, kids like Mitchell got picked on, and to see how far we have come along is touching. I get emotional thinking about it."

NBC Southwest station KTSM first reported on Marcus' story the day after the game, calling it "the play of the year."

"I was so happy then," Marcus said about his shot. "It made my night."

Over the past three years, Marcus has helped the Thunderbirds earn a No. 1 ranking in the city of El Paso.

Coach Morales spoke with ESPN's El Paso radio station, KROD, about Marcus's amazing experience.

"This kid is very very loyal to your program," Morales told ESPN radio. "He's dedicated. We've had kids that come to this program and play with us and this kid has been more loyal than some of those kids to us because he wants to be here."


Take Stock in Children commends Mitchell, his coach, and the other team for their great examples of leadership and dedication.  This story serves as an inspiration for our students to create a positive environment at home and at school that allows everyone to thrive.

Alternative Spring Breaks!

 
With Spring Break coming up in the next few weeks, we thought we would offer our students a way to engage in volunteerism while taking a break from studies. Alternative Spring Breaks are trips where a group of college students engage in volunteer service that focus on a particular social issue such as poverty, the environment, or education reform. Students learn about the social issues and then perform week-long projects with local non-profit organizations. Alternative breaks are great because you get to travel and work with a group of peers for a week, all while creating an impact in the community!

What you stand to gain
·         Travel You can travel to new communities and meet new people
·         Involvement These trips are great ways to become more involved in school and in your community
·         Savings Alternative Breaks are often considerably less expensive (if not totally free, covered by student government) than traditional Spring Break trips
·         Experience Serving with an Alternative Spring Break is a great way to gain leadership experience

Quality components of an Alternative Break
Strong Direct Service: Should provide an opportunity for participants to engage in direct or “hands on” projects and activities that address unmet social needs, as determined by the community.

Orientation: Alternative breakers learn about the purposes and goals of their community partners with which they will be working.

Education: Breakers learn about the complexity of the social issue through reading materials, speaker panels, documentaries, and guest lecturers related to current trends and historical context. A strong educational foundation for the trip will contribute to a meaningful service experience.

Training: Breakers are provided with adequate skills necessary to carry out service projects during their trip. This may include learning physical skills, such as construction or maintenance skills, as well as interpersonal communication, such as interacting with children, sensitivity training, working with people with disabilities, trail building, etc.

Reflection: During the trip participants process the service work as it connects to the broader social issue. Groups set aside time for reflection to take place individually and as a group.

Reorientation: After students return to campus, reorientation activities allow participants to talk about issues with others on campus, learn about local volunteer and civic involvement opportunities, and brainstorm other means to benefit their local community. Reorientation (the post-trip application of the experience) is the essential purpose of an alternative break - to provide a platform for participants to work towards lifelong active citizenship.

Diversity and Social Justice: Strong alternative break programs include diverse representation of students from the campus community and direct exposure to studying social justice issues

Impact

Many students who return from an alternative break experience consider it a life changing event. Alternative break alumni have reported changing their major, increasing their campus involvement, committing to continued community service, actively staying updated on social issues, and joining a service program post-graduation such as AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, or Teach for America. Many return to participate and lead alternative break programs throughout their time as students.

An impact analysis conducted in 2001 by Dr. Pushkala Raman and her Marketing Research Class at Florida State University in conjunction with Break Away (www.alternativebreaks2013.org) revealed that there is overwhelming evidence to support the view that alternative breaks are “indeed contributing to the creating of active citizens.”

Many schools coordinate Alternative Spring Breaks for their students, so if you are interested in taking part in a trip this spring, check with your Student Government or Community Outreach office.  You may also want to check out the following link for more organizations which offer their own Alternative Spring Breaks:  studenttravel.about.com/od/springbreakvolunteers/qt/alternate_sprin.htm

Internship Opportunity - Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities

Throughout the year, we have been blogging about the importance of internships for professional development and networking opportunities. Internships are a great way to gain experience in your field, build your resume, and make connections with future employers. On a personal level, internships are also a great way to travel, earn some money, and make new friends!

This past summer, I applied and was selected to intern with the United States Census Bureau as a Statistician through the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) National Internship Program (HNIP). It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that has helped me grow as a student, professional, and individual. I encourage Take Stock in Children graduates to apply for this amazing opportunity 

Fellow HACU interns and I

in front of the Capitol in Washington, DC

(second to the right, second row)

THE SCOOP The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) is a non-profit organization that was established in 1986. The HACU National Internship Program (HNIP) is an internship program that places students in federal and corporate internships in the summer, spring, and fall of each year. HNIP was started in 1992 with only 24 students and one internship site. Today, HNIP serves nearly 700 students per year at over 40 internship sites nationwide!

BENEFITS One of the best parts about HNIP? It’s paid! There are different pay scales based on your education level/year in college (i.e. sophomore, junior, senior, graduate student) ranging from $470 -$570/week. Additional benefits include airfare provided to and from your internship site, orientation in Washington, DC (with travel and lodging provided), housing arranged by HNIP staff, opportunities to live in another city, and of course, opportunities for professional development.


Exploring the beautiful National Mall

OPPORTUNITIES Personally, many of my friends from the program were signed on to full-time positions through their internship site. HNIP has a variety of Federal partners, including the Department of Treasury, Department of Commerce, Office of Personnel Management, US Census Bureau, Department of Labor, Department of Homeland Security, and more. In terms of corporate partners, HNIP interns have been placed with companies such as Apple, Sodexho, Lockheed Martin, and IBM. Students come from a variety of backgrounds, ranging from business, mathematics, journalism, and sociology, so there is a place for everyone! While the majority of interns work in Washington DC, other potential sites include Anchorage, Alaska; Atlanta, Georgia; Chicago, Illinois; Boston, Massachusetts; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Seattle, Washington. If you are looking for the opportunity to live abroad, this is the program for you.

CHECK IT OUT I made so many friends through this program that I am still in touch with today. Because interns are coming from all over, I now have friends from California, Texas, DC, and even Puerto Rico. At a recent graduate school interview in Boston, I was asked about my experience with statistics, a pertinent skill for the field I wish to pursue; needless to say, my interviewers were quite impressed that I worked as a Statistician with the US Census Bureau. HACU has provided me with lifelong friends and experiences to cherish for years to come. I encourage all TSIC students to check out this program for a great opportunity to live abroad and enrich your life.

For more info and eligibility, please email awhitcomb@takestockinchildren.org or visit www.hacu.net for more info!


-Allie Whitcomb
AmeriCorps College Success Coach
 

Recuerdo Madrid – Greetings from Madrid!

A first generation college student, Take Stock in Children graduate and 2012 Leaders 4 Life (L4L) Fellow, Alfonso Mejia represents what the TSIC model is all about: when students are provided with support, motivation and accountability, they will excel personally and academically.

A 2012 graduate from Charles W. Flanagan High School in Broward County, Alfonso Mejia is the first person in his family to pursue a college degree.  President of his high school class for all four years, he graduated within the top 2% of his class.  He aims to continue his involvement with student government at the University of Florida, where he is currently studying Accounting and Finance and plans on going to law school to become a lawyer and work in the non-profit sector. 

In an attempt to make the most of his college experience, Alfonso is currently studying abroad at Antonio de Nebrija University in Madrid, Spain through UF’s School of Business.  Alfonso’s family is Colombian, so he is fluent in Spanish, but in an effort to perfect the language and gain an appreciation of the culture, he enrolled in the highest level Spanish course offered.  He explains, “Part of the reason I chose [to study abroad in] Spain was because I wanted to master my Spanish and have a solid foundation [of the language].  Second to English, the Spanish language plays a significant role in the business world and is almost essential [to know].”

Refining his Spanish is just one component to his experience abroad, as he will also have the opportunity to teach children once a week and volunteer to feed the homeless.  “Living abroad has taught me to value other cultures and ways of life.”  It is this altruistic and motivated spirit that sets Alfonso apart, making him a great example of what being a Leaders 4 Life Fellow is all about.

The Leaders 4 Life Fellowship was created in partnership with the Asofsky Family Foundation and recognizes TSIC students who have emerged as leaders.  Of L4L, Alfonso says:

Whenever I feel down, I remind myself how fortunate I truly am.  Being a L4L Fellow means to me a life-long commitment of gratitude and generosity.  The L4L Fellowship was created through genuine principles that must be reciprocated by the fellows.  For now, we must focus on our studies and finish strong, but when we are done with school we must remember where we came from and who gave us the opportunity to be what we will become in the upcoming years.  I plan on giving back to society in the same way that L4L does: giving a student the power of an education.

In the future, Alfonso plans on mentoring youth, starting his own scholarship fund similar to the Leaders 4 Life Fellowship, and one day hopes to be on the Take Stock in Children Board of Directors.  We are so proud of all of Alfonso’s accomplishments and wish him buena suerte – good luck – for the rest of his semester abroad in Spain!

Scholar Spotlight: Ha Tran's Travels to Ghana!

Photo from www.uniteforsight.org

Originally from Santa Rosa County, Ha Tran is a Take Stock in Children alumna and was named a Leaders 4 Life fellow in 2011.  In her second year at Duke University, Ha is majoring in neuroscience with a concentration in global health.  Her focus on global health has led her to become involved with the organization Unite for Sight, and will culminate in an eight week trip to Ghana, Africa this coming summer.

Ha writes, “I started looking into this program though my global health course here at Duke. Our yearlong case study focused on an NGO and I chose Unite for Sight.  Aside from the obvious benefits of this program, what I think is most significant is that UFS is quite literally breaking down the barrier for access to health care.”  Ha continues that she has taken a variety of global health courses throughout her time at Duke and finds UFS to be a role model for all other organizations to follow.  “In our class, we looked at everything from tax forms to end-of-the-year reports to analyze the effectiveness of this organization.  As with any program, there are things to be improved. I hope to help improve those aspects during my eight weeks in Ghana.”

Ha will specifically be working in an eye clinic to screen for eye disease, implementing education programs, and assisting in surgery for children and adults.  Traveling to rural villages, she will be providing eye care to those who do not have access to an eye doctor.  Ha’s family emigrated from Vietnam, where there is a saying “Cho ánh sáng,” meaning “the ability to give light.”  Through Ha’s commendable efforts, she will be providing vision, light and hope to the people of Ghana.  Aside from this trip, Ha has also personally collected over 825 glasses to donate and has completed over 30 hours of medical training for this trip, as well as an additional 60 hours of outside training through Unite For Sight and her global health courses at Duke University.  We are so proud of Ha’s efforts, and we encourage you to check out her web page here to learn more about this remarkable program.

If you have any questions about her trip, you can contact Ha at ha.tran@duke.edu or call her at (850) 686-6067.

Declaring a College Major

Wondering just what major you will settle on? Check out this infograph with data from the National Center for Education Studies that breaks down the most popular undergraduate degrees:

The Most Popular College Majors 2012 infographic by herrimanjoe.

Ways to Save in College!

How College Students Can Save Money infographic

Summer Opportunities

 As we enter the New Year and new semester, it is not too early to begin thinking about your summer and what opportunities lay ahead for you!  Here are a few recommendations to keep yourself busy this summer that you may consider:

Summer classes Though school is out for the summer, this does not mean you have to stop learning!  Several colleges and universities throughout the state of Florida offer summer programs for high school students spanning a variety of concentrations, including leadership, entrepreneurship, and medical sciences.  This is a great way to stay busy, meet new people, and to also get a feel for different colleges.  Especially if you are particularly interested in a specific school, this is a unique opportunity for you to meet their faculty and introduce yourself to their program, a major bonus for admissions!  Check out this link for more info on some of these programs!  For college students, many schools offer summer classes, a great way to obtain an accelerated degree.  Summer is also an excellent opportunity to take advantage of study abroad opportunities and learn in a different state or even country!

Volunteer Summer presents a great opportunity to give your time and talents to help others.  In previous blog posts we have spoken about the importance of volunteerism and civic engagement; not only does volunteerism help others and the larger community, but it also enriches your own life.  This is especially true in terms of your college and career plans if you have a specific interest.  For example, if you are interested in veterinary science, you may volunteer at an animal shelter or animal clinic.  This not only helps animals and the community, but it also exposes you to the field of your interest – a great experience to have for a resume!

Internships and Jobs With classes out, summer is a time when most students take on an extra job or internship.  Internships are pre-professional work experiences that provide the opportunity to gain experience in a particular field.  By gaining experience in a field, it can help you narrow your career and research interests.  Internships can also provide academic credit and even supplement classes.  They are great opportunities to try different things, without having the commitment of a contract or career move; internships are usually for a couple months or a 1 year program. 

Internships are also a great opportunity to live in a different city, state, or country!  If you are interested in Fashion, you may consider applying to an internship in New York and those interested in Political Science may consider applying to internships in Washington, D.C.  If you are applying to internships and getting academic credit for it, you can often apply financial aid to help you pay for housing or transportation, which is especially helpful if you are considering interning abroad.

January is a great time to start looking for internships and jobs.  Give yourself ample time to fill out the applications thoughtfully, so that you are able to submit a strong application.

To find the internship or job that is right for you, you must first consider your interests and goals.  It is also important to decide what you want to get out of the experience, if the internship is for college credit, perhaps you need a position that fulfills certain guidelines set by your academic advisors.  Internships are great learning experiences for students, and your fresh perspectives and previous experiences are a valuable asset to the organization and employers with whom you will be working with.  For more information on internships and different opportunities, check out the following to find an internship in your field:

• www.internmatch.com

• www.vault.com/wps/portal/usa

• www.libertyguide.com