This summer, we have two interns joining us at our Mesa, Arizona headquarters. Learn more about one of these interns – Emily Barrett – in her own words. Welcome to the National Center team, Emily!
1. Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Emily Barrett and I am from Springdale, Arkansas. I am a rising Senior at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma and a member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. I am a Business Management major with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship. I am the current President of the American Indigenous Business Leaders (AIBL) chapter on my campus. I serve on the board for the Wesley Foundation. I am a member of the Finance and Economics Network club, and I am on my campus’s Business Ethics Bowl team. I desire to have a career in Project Management and to eventually establish my own business.
2. What made you interested in interning for the National Center?
As soon as I read the National Center’s mission statement, I knew I would be a good fit for the summer internship. I was most interested how involved the National Center is across the United States. I knew coming into this internship that no matter what I my role would be, I would constantly be learning from the experience learning from the people who work at the National Center.
3. What’s been your favorite part of the internship?
My favorite part of the internship thus far has been meeting my co-workers and learning more about them and how they ended up here.
4. How do you hope to use the internship in your studies and career path?
I hope to use this internship to better prepare me for my future career in Project Management. It is already allowing me to practice time-management, communication, and interpersonal skills.
5. Do you have any advice for fellow students who have an interest in economic development or work in Indian Country more broadly?
My advice for fellow students is to find internships that interest you and will have a lasting impact. Reach out to your connections and ask around to see if you know anyone looking for a little help on the side. Don’t turn down volunteer opportunities, because they can grow into paid opportunities. Make achievable goals for the short run, but never lose sight of your long-term goals.
6. When you’re not in school or interning, where’s the most likely place we can find you? What are your hobbies, interests, etc.
When I am not in school or interning you can find me behind a camera, in a pair of roller skates, or just hanging out with my close friends. I have had a deep passion for photography since I was 12-years old. Roller skating has been a hobby of mine since my father introduced me to it when I was nine-years-old. In the hustle and bustle of school, interning and working, it is comforting to know that I have close friends around that love and support me through every endeavor.
