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September Alumni Update
Alumni Highlights
This month’s Alumni Spotlight shines onSenay Gebremedhin, anOpportunities Plusalum from Wakefield High School.
Senay received his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a minor in African Studies from James Madison University. Currently, he is working at a non-profit calledWorld Education Services.
We spoke to Senay, and here is what he had to say:
“I found out about LP during my senior year of high school and asked them for help finding an internship. I was placed at theD.C. Mayor’s Office of African Affairs,andthat experience shaped my professional path. It was monumental for my professional development.
I was completely new to the internship process, and LP walked me through it all. They sent a resume and cover letter template and helped me fill it out. I would compare that process to career counseling. Being from a family of immigrants, my parents didn’t have much professional experience outside of Ethiopia. Having LP guide me on what to expect and how to handle different situations allowed me to navigate the internship experience with ease. The internship experience taught me about office etiquette, how to ask questions, gave me the confidence to say no to things, and how to accept or reject things – it was well-rounded guidance early in my career. Without LP, I would have struggled with it all.
Interning at the Office of African Affairs was professionally life-changing. My supervisors took a genuine interest in what I wanted to do as an intern and trusted me with many projects and initiatives. I joined staff meetings and was given permission to pursue a wide arrange of opportunities that allowed me to gain leadership skills that summer. I also gained the confidence to present to a large group of people that worked in the city. While in the office, I learned more about office etiquette, drafting professional emails, and representing OAA and the Mayor’s office in the community and with partners.
I graduated from college in 2009. At that time, the job prospects were horrible following the great recession, and I struggled to find a footing. So I reached out to Dr. Ponichtera, and he allowed me to volunteer at Liberty’s Promise. He told me to use that as another internship experience when I was applying to jobs. He helped me figure out what I needed to pursue and worked with me on my resume. He also helped me strengthen my interview skills, and above all, he was encouraging and supportive!
My advice to younger alumni and youth is totake advantage of internship opportunities, especially Opportunities Plus. Compared to other internships, Opportunities Plus is paid! I earned money while gaining valuable experiences that otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to afford. Internships allow you to build a network and grow your professional experience. I kept in touch with my supervisors at OAA for a very long time, and they were very helpful while I finished college and beyond that. In fact, they connected me to people they knew! An internship allows you to learn things that you wouldn’t learn outside of a professional office environment. Plus, you will look more competitive on any application with an internship experience."
Opportunities and Events
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The first 100 alumni to update their contact information will receive a ticket to Regal Majestic & IMAX!
LP Mentorship Program
Are you a recent high school graduate looking for a mentor to guide you through difficult college and career decisions? Do you have work experience and want to give back to the Liberty's Promise community and help recent high school graduates?Sign upto learn about Liberty's Promise Mentorship program and how it can help you!
Scholarships
QuestBridge
Due: Tuesday, September 28th, 2021
QuestBridge is a non-profit organization that helps high-achieving, low-income students gain admission and scholarships to 45 of the country's top-ranked colleges. Recipients are granted admission to one of QuestBridge's college partners with a full, four-year scholarship worth over $200,000 each.
This scholarship, sponsored by Matthew Wilson, a Washington, DC, attorney, is offered toany studentcurrently enrolled in an accredited community college, undergraduate, or graduate program in the United States. This includes incoming first-year college students who are high school graduates or possess a GED. The scholarship candidate must possess an interest in social justice, as demonstrated by past and present volunteer, professional, and educational experiences. All eligible candidates must be in good academic standing, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above.
Northwood HS Wellness Center Bilingual Senior Clinical Counselor
The Wellness Center is looking to hiring a person responsible for planning and providing mental health treatment for students at Northwood High School who have histories of trauma through diverse relationship-based therapies. Clickhereto apply!
Support Liberty's Promise
The LP Digital Tip Jar
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You can now donate to Liberty’s Promise by rounding up to the nearest dollar. Turn your spare change into positive change by clicking below.
Become a Mentor
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Join our mentorship program today and help give back to your fellow Alumni. Your experience and support as an LP Alumni will make a real impact across the LP Community.
