This summer, I was lucky enough to participate in two incredible internship experiences. The first was the Tijuana Byrd Internship through the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas (WFA). This program was designed to help women of color pursuing STEM-related fields gain valuable experience, build professional connections, and get their foot in the door of careers that can sometimes be difficult to break into. As part of the WFA program, we were introduced to several partner companies. After interviewing with WFA and being accepted into the program, we then had the opportunity to interview with these companies for our second internship placement. I was incredibly fortunate enough to be selected by Arvest Bank, where I had the opportunity to work under my amazing supervisor, Robert Downing.
During my time at Arvest, Robert made sure to provide us with countless opportunities to build and grow many professional connections. I had the opportunity to meet and network with individuals in leadership positions throughout the company, as well as shadow several different departments. As someone who was unsure of what specific career path I wanted to pursue after college, these experiences provided me with invaluable insight into the many opportunities available within the financial industry. Each week, I had the opportunity to shadow two to three different departments, which allowed me to see firsthand what the day-to-day responsibilities and work environments looked like beyond the classroom. This experience helped me better understand my own interests, strengths, and the types of careers I could see myself pursuing in the future. In addition to the professional experience I gained through shadowing, I also participated in several seminars and professional development opportunities. These included women’s empowerment sessions, DISC personality assessments, and discussions focused on understanding our individual strengths and improving communication.
During my WFA internship, I had the opportunity to participate in what were called “T-Byrd” road trips, where we toured places such as an Osceola steel mill and ArcBest. These trips opened my eyes to careers and opportunities that I had never really considered before. We also visited different places throughout Little Rock, including the airport, hospitals, and other organizations, which gave us the chance to see a variety of careers and work environments firsthand. One of my favorite parts of the internship was attending seminars and panels featuring women in positions of power. The WFA would bring together groups of successful women who shared their journeys, challenges, and experiences with us. It was incredibly inspirational and, at times, emotional, being surrounded by women who were once in the same position we were in. We also participated in coaching sessions that taught us how to be more confident, set boundaries, and advocate for ourselves. These are skills I know I will continue to use throughout my career and personal life.
Overall, both the Tijuana Byrd Internship and my experience at Arvest gave me much more than professional experience. They gave me confidence, connections, mentorship, and a clearer understanding of the possibilities ahead of me. I am incredibly grateful to everyone who was a part of the program and invested their time in me and helped open doors that I may not have known existed. These experiences have played an important role in preparing me for life after college and have given me a stronger sense of direction as I begin the next chapter of my career.
Isabel Hernandez
Isabel is a proud graduate of Southern Arkansas University, where she earned her BBA in Finance and is currently pursuing her MBA. She currently serves as an Assistant Resident Director and Admissions Counselor Fellow.
