Internships and apprenticeships, when done right, give interns and apprentices life long lessons. Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, these opportunities aren’t accessible to many and so we wanted to invite folks who have had these experiences to share some of the lessons they’ve learned.

Jatayvia Whitaker

In November, I came across the opportunity to become an intern through my college at a non-profit I thought very highly of. I have been following them for quite some time now and when I saw the post that they were partnering with UNT Dallas to provide paid internships, I jumped at the opportunity. After applying and doing a zoom interview I was selected as one of there interns. I started In February as an Operations Intern and is currently still on as an intern to this day. Read more>>

Amya Martin

I would like to lead this discussion by saying first off, Internships in real life are definitely not as bad as they are in movies lol. Ive only had one internship but they definitely changed my perspective on my whole career and just life in general. It’s so much to be taught when you’re willing to listen to constructive criticism and support around me,that’s the push i needed. I was used to being praised and told my work is fine but working with Mykel Firm they have taught it’s okay to know something and still get taught how to do it the right way. Read more>>

Kris Friedman

When I was in college, I worked in the Career Planning and Placement Department at my school. My father had been the head of the department when he was alive, and after he died suddenly, the counselors took me under their wing as I was a young adult just trying to figure out what I was going to be when I grew up. :) At that time, I was looking into starting a career in marketing and PR. Read more>>

Bianca Comer

I am an apprentice now, really. I’ve gained a wealth of wisdom from homebirth midwife, Lakisa Muhammad (other homebirth midwives as well); she is the one who welcomed me into the midwifery profession. The call to serve in this capacity has been with me for a while and it wasn’t until I started assisting with homebirths that I began to see maternal health (or, birth work) in a new light. Birth work is community work. Read more>>

Brittany Johnson

I experienced a pivotal moment prior to my teaching career even starting. I had chosen to student teach at a pretty affluent school within HISD. Not knowing much about the campus or demographics, I chose the campus due to its relation to my apartment at the time. I was a young Black girl who spent her elementary years on the Southside of Chicago. That was really all the experience I had when it came to elementary education. When I began student teaching in the Rice Village community, it didn’t take long for me to see the inequities that were taking place in lower socio-economic communities. Read more>>