Hampton University

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I Know What You Did Last Summer!

For most students, summertime is a time for relaxing, visiting family and catching up with old friends. But for six graduating HU seniors, it's a time to learn new skills and gain experience that can be applied as they search for success after graduation. Through internships, community service, research programs and even traveling overseas, these seniors have taken advantage of time off from class to help prepare themselves for the endeavors to come after graduation.

shantel webber

Shantel Webber with P.E.A.C.E. campers.

SHANTEL WEBBER
Senior, Psychology Major
Richmond, Va.
Camp Coordinator for "P.E.A.C.E Camp"

Senior psychology major Shantel Webber spent her summer as a camp coordinator for "P.E.A.C.E Camp", a camp with a goal to help youth learn to live independently through Politics, Economics, Athletics, Culture, and Education. Located in Chesterfield County, Va., Webber and the P.E.A.C.E. Camp staff taught campers from age 10 to 17 during two five week sessions. By including everyday activities such as focus groups, speakers and field trips, P.E.A.C.E Camp implemented their mission and goal of preparing the youth for independent living by providing campers with a realistic understanding of how societal systems work. Webber, who plans to attend graduate school to earn her master's degree in psychology admits, "Through this experience, I learned how to deal with different types of people," a skill that will undoubtedly be useful throughout her future.

morgan anderson

Morgan Anderson interning in the studio
at FOX 29 in Philadelphia, Pa.

MORGAN ANDERSON
Senior, Public Relations Major
Philadelphia, Pa.
Internship with FOX 29 News

Morgan Anderson, a senior public relations major, chose to spend the majority of her summer interning with Fox 29 News in Philadelphia, Pa. As part of the Emma Bowen Internship program, which helps prepare minority youth for careers in the media industry, Anderson has interned with Fox 29 since 2005 and learned the many aspects that come along with the media industry. Working in the Creative Services department, her days were filled with reports, news meetings, and script reviews. Anderson plans to pursue media law after graduation and believes that her experience at Fox 29 is a good foundation for law school. Anderson has learned a lot at Fox 29. "This is what working in entertainment media is all about."

ben carter

Ben Carter attending a convention
in Boston, MA.

BEN CARTER
Senior, Broadcast Journalism Major
Pasadena, Calif.
Internship with Hill Holiday Advertising Agency

Instead of catching up with old friends and lounging on the warm California beaches, senior broadcast journalism major Ben Carter opted for a much cooler summer in Boston, Mass. There he was one of 38 interns working for Hill Holliday Advertising Agency. At Hill Holliday, Carter found himself applying skills learned from HU classes to his job. He also felt the tasks given in the classroom, such as creating campaign ads as a group project, helped prepare him for the professional world. Carter said he could see himself starting off at a company such as Hill Holliday after graduation.

staci childs

As Mistress of Ceremonies, Staci Childs introducing
Dr. Calvin Mackie at the 14th Annual SAEOPP/UTK McNair
Scholars Research Conference.

STACI CHILDS
Senior, Psychology Major
From Atlanta, Ga.
Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program

Usually, students take the summer to take a break from college life, but not senior psychology major Staci Childs. Childs spent her summer in college where she continued to study and take tests. As a member of the Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program, which is designed to help prepare minority students for graduate school and doctoral studies, Childs was one of 33 students studying at the University of Tennessee (UT). There, she interacted with scholars, researchers and other community personalities as she prepared herself for graduate school. At UT, she was given the opportunity to do research on, "The effects of mentoring, as measured by GPA, on African-American college students," with researcher and UT Professor Dr. Terrell L. Strayhorn. After graduation, Childs aspires to attend Harvard University where she will earn her Ph.D. in educational leadership.

moses wilson

Moses Wilson in Washington, D.C.

MOSES WILSON
Senior, Political Science Major
Rocky Mount, N.C.
Internship with U.S. Congress, Energy and Commerce Committee

While some seniors may be uncertain about their futures after graduation, senior political science major Moses Wilson knows exactly what he wants to do. Wilson plans to attend law school to study energy and environmental law. He will study to be an advocate for energy efficiency and its effects on our environment. This summer, Wilson interned with the U.S. Congress in Washington, D.C. alongside the Energy and Commerce Committee. There, he assisted with research that helped fill the key gap of domestic oil expansion within the U.S. Republican party's claim that oil companies within the United States are expanding their supply. Since this has been found to be untrue in many cases, the Energy and Commerce Committee has introduced a bill which allows investigation of any wrong doings. "I gained knowledge about the Energy and Environment Committee and the effects it has on U.S. citizens now as well as in the future," said Wilson.

amanda mobley

Amanda Mobley leading a tour
in Beijing, China.

AMANDA MOBLEY
Senior, Public Relations Major
New York, N.Y.
NBC General Electric (GE) Hospitality Program 2008

With only a few months to go until graduation, senior public relations major Amanda Mobley truly took advantage of her last summer before joining the professional world. Mobley was given the opportunity to travel to Beijing, China as part of the NBC General Electric (GE) Hospitality Program 2008. During her month stay in China, Mobley served as a host to top NBC clients giving tours, accompanying clients to Olympic Games and even writing an online blog for the NBC website. While in China, Mobley had the chance to view historic sites such as The Great Wall of China, meet Olympic athletes and indulge in authentic Chinese food. As she worked for NBC, Mobley gained a different type of experience in the public relations field as she served as a, mediator between the clients and the company. This special summer event not only served as a learning experience but also taught life lessons. "If you commit yourself to something, you make it your business to do it. Your word is the only thing that you have to hold on to and once you lose it, you may lose your accountability," Mobley said.

-Ronda Bryant