One of the most exciting moments at Step Up is when an alumna shares her experience from a summer internship. During the school year, Step Up facilitates an extensive after-school program for teen girls in 9th through 12th grade at participating Step Up partner schools. As part of the 12th grade curriculum, Step Up teens participate in Young Luminaries College + Career Activation that includes monthly group mentoring focused on college applications and career preparation and culminates with a summer internship. Many of the girls spend the summer after high school graduation getting hands-on experience in a number of industries. It's a great way to spend the summer between high school and college.
A number of alumnae reflect on their summer internships. Keep reading!
Katherine
Interned at Lerner et Cie (Los Angeles)
"While I interned at Lerner et Cie, I learned so much about the fashion industry. I learned about different styles, organizing showcases and pricing. I enjoyed this experience because I have a deeper understanding of the industry and I worked with a successful young woman, Elizabeth, as my supervisor and mentor. I have learned so much from her that I will never forget."
Fariha
Interned at AOL (New York)
"Interning at AOL in the sales department was one of the best experiences! When walking into AOL, I was nervous about many things. Many questions consumed my thoughts such as 'Would I enjoy the work?', 'Will the people at AOL be welcoming?' and so on. After my first day, I could not have been more excited to go back the following day. While interning, I was assigned a project to identify younger millennials (ages 18-21) views on consumer targeting. I was able to accomplish this by researching and interviewing people who worked there. After gathering data and completing the presentation, I presented it to my fellow interns and got their feedback. I then had to present everything that I discovered to the Product Sales and Targeting team. At AOL, I was able to build and improve on my professional skills and get a whole new experience."
Ahja
Interned at Kelly Allison Photography (Chicago)
"There were many parts of my internship that I loved, especially helping with photo shoots. It was fun and cool to see how to use photography for storytelling. I learned more about taking quality photographs. We would eat the best tacos for lunch too. Yum! Step Up helped prepare me for this internship because they taught me the importance of professionalism and how to make a great impression with company leaders and colleagues."
It's because of supporters like you that support Step Up and its mentorship programs that prepare teens for successful and fruitful internships!
