{"id":101221,"date":"2023-07-18T01:58:00","date_gmt":"2023-07-18T06:58:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/?p=101221"},"modified":"2023-07-18T08:21:35","modified_gmt":"2023-07-18T13:21:35","slug":"summer-at-unmc-step-up-omaha-interns-on-campus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/2023\/07\/18\/summer-at-unmc-step-up-omaha-interns-on-campus\/","title":{"rendered":"Summer at UNMC: Step-Up Omaha interns on campus"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Randy Smith didn\u2019t want the typical high school summer job working in retail or slinging hamburgers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Step-Up Omaha program \u2014 and its partnership with UNMC \u2014 offered the perfect solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smith, now 18, is completing his third year with the program at UNMC. He\u2019s one of seven summer interns participating this year in Step-Up at UNMC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The program is an initiative of the Empowerment Network and the City of Omaha to give youth ages 16 to 21 valuable job experience through the summer. More than 100 employers around Omaha have participated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNMC joined the list of participating employers in 2016. Interns in this year\u2019s seven-week program will work in departments across campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The program gives students a chance to experience UNMC through the eyes of an employee, said Sarah Gloden Carlson, JD, assistant vice chancellor and director for human resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey can test drive careers and opportunities here,\u201d Gloden Carlson said. \u201cIt\u2019s equally rewarding for the campus, because the interns really do add value to what we do. There are tremendous relationships formed through this process.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During a welcome session, Gloden Carlson encouraged the interns to find their passion and to take advantage of every opportunity provided along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sharlon Rodgers, Step-Up worksite coordinator, echoed that advice. The program, she said, is designed to help students get an early glimpse into potential career fields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf we give faith and opportunity to our young people, they can flourish,\u201d Rodgers said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Evelyn Grixby, who helps to facilitate the program at UNMC, said: \u201cHaving the opportunity to mentor the interns and expose them to work related to their major and\/or skill set, that is challenging and recognized, is rewarding. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s important that our interns are provided with real work experiences to ensure the continued success of our program at UNMC,\u201d she said. \u201cIt will set them up for success later in life. We want them to be successful. We want it to carry over into the community, school and into future careers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smith said his experience at UNMC will give a leg up in starting a career. He recently graduated from Omaha North High School and plans to study business and psychology at Metropolitan Community College.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He spent his first summer on campus working in the Center for Healthy Living. Last summer and this summer, he\u2019s working on photography, social media and other tasks within the UNMC Department of Dermatology<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWith this type of knowledge, I can apply these skills wherever I go next,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to Smith, this year\u2019s interns and their assignments include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n