Thirteen interns from San Antonio's Upward Bound program have spent six weeks this summer on the Trinity University campus, taking courses and working in selected offices or departments. The result for these high school students has been an inside look at college life and insight into the working world.
The interns arrived on the Trinity campus with fresh perspectives and a "ready to work" mindset, and they said they will leave with newly gained abilities.
Allison Payne, an intern at the KRTU 91.7 FM radio station, says, "I've learned so much here that I can apply to real world situations or that I can use elsewhere, such as building up my organization skills, computer skills, and networking. Being here also helps me become more diverse among my music taste."
Ricardo Peña and Waverly Reyes, who interned in the engineering science department, agreed, "The beneficial part of this internship is that it's challenging, it prepares us for tough challenges in other situations, and it's definitely a learning experience."
The interns share a motivation to get work done. For example, Raveé Mata, in the Office of Experiential Learning, and KRTU's Payne feel that Trinity gives a "home-like feeling." Payne says being at Trinity really gives her "a sense of belonging."
Mata mentions that since many interns are seniors, "It makes sense that we've grown a certain type of love for the campus. Some of us have been here since the beginning, and some like myself, have recently joined." It is definitely easy to understand this perspective from high school students who have gotten a feel for an actual college campus. Most of the interns agreed that the summer at Trinity and the experiences on campus will never be forgotten.
To qualify for the Upward Bound program at Trinity University, interns had to apply for specific jobs in designated areas. This year's interns at Trinity campus and their department are:
- Ana Nunez, Information Technology Services
- Allison Payne and Ivonne Martinez, KRTU 91.7 FM radio station
- Karen Padilla and Arin Douglas, University Presbyterian Children's Center
- Samuel De Los Santos, Department of Physics and Astronomy
- Lizeth Salazar, Student Involvement
- Raveé Mata, Office of Experiential Learning
- Waverly Reyes and Ricardo Peña, Department of Engineering Science
- Diana Long, Study Abroad
- Samantha Martinez, Office of Career Services
- Cheyenne "Cici" Garcia, Office of University Marketing and Communications
Additionally, other Upward Bound interns worked off Trinity campus, including Rosario Moreno and Laura Filerio, who were at the Law Office of Diane Martinez; and Alexis Mata, who was at a dental office.