Eds. note: Earlier in the summer, we ran a story about two local girls who had earned prestigious internships at the Museum of Latin American Art. Then this weekend, we received the following essay from one of them, Imani Smith, reflecting on her time there.
By Imani Smith | I am blessed to have had the opportunity to participate in an internship at the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) in Long Beach through the Bank of America Student Leaders Program.
I applied for the Bank of America Student Leaders Program looking for a new experience. As an aspiring entrepreneur, I wanted a better understanding of all aspects of successful non-profit organization. I wanted to attend the Washington D.C. Leadership Summit and leave D.C. a more politically aware voter prepared to submit my first ballot this fall. I wanted to meet and network other equally driven leaders from around the country. I yearned for an opportunity unlike anything I had ever done before.
My participation in the Student Leaders Program exceeded my high expectations. My internship in the Department of Education at MOLAA could not have been better suited for my passions. In addition, I had the opportunity to gain a comprehensive view of the various sectors of the museum. I observed a structure that allows for effective collaboration between various departments, enabling the museum to run successfully. The internship showed me a prime example of a non-profit organization, a model I plan to use when I start my own business.
The Washington D.C. Leadership Summit was a fantastic addition to the program. From it, I learned more about my leadership skills. I met equally motivated and passionate student leaders from around the country, each enthusiastic about the Washington D.C. experience. From Capitol Hill to the Lincoln Memorial, all two hundred and twenty of us student leaders did our share of sightseeing. Thanks to the Close-Up Foundation, we were able to acquire a better understanding of the rich history and ideals our country was founded upon.
There are so many negative stereotypes about my generation—ranging from superficial to apathetic—but after meeting so many other student leaders, I am confident in my generation’s ability to carry this nation to greater heights. However, we cannot do it alone. Opportunities such as the Bank of America Student Leaders Program are absolutely necessary in order to give us the exposure and inspiration we need to continue working hard towards our big goals. There are more than two hundred and twenty student leaders in the world, who each need such opportunities.
Though the Bank of America Student Leaders Program is over for me, the work has just begun. This fall, I will begin my first semester at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, majoring in Chemical Engineering, and as I work to succeed in my courses and to better understand my aspirations and passions, I never forget what I have personally learned through my experience with the Bank of America Student Leaders Program: my goals must extend further than attaining a degree; they must be to serve, inspire and change.