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WashU sophomore Kiersten Anderson gets ready to dance in front of her laptop, radiating warmth for a Zoom gathering filled with senior patients. Her aim is to assist these individuals in engaging their bodies, feeling invigorated, and honing vital memory retrieval skills.
“I selected a few tunes from the ’50s today,” Anderson shares with the patients, all from the ease of their homes. “I hope you’re all thrilled to dance along with me!”
Anderson serves as a research and therapy intern at Memory Keepers, a nonprofit organization based in St. Louis that offers cognitive care for those with memory-related conditions along with programs for healthcare providers and caregivers. In this capacity, she observes support groups for caregivers, acquires knowledge about therapeutic methods, and co-hosts weekly therapy sessions.
She discovered the opportunity through WashU’s Chancellor’s Career Fellows Program, a Center for Career Engagement initiative aimed at sophomores with family incomes below $75,000. The program aids students in developing professional skills, securing summer internships that align with their career aspirations, and offers a stipend of up to $5,000. Additionally, many fellows, including Anderson, receive career guidance from industry and community mentors through the Taylor Family Center for Student Success, which assists first-generation and economically disadvantaged students.
“The Memory Keepers team initially asked me, ‘What are you capable of handling?’ They are eager for me to learn extensively and have permitted me to take on intriguing projects,” Anderson explained. “I have the chance to both work alongside and observe my supervisors. As someone hailing from a low-income, first-generation background, it’s been extraordinary to have people believe in my potential.”
Anderson operates remotely, which is perfect given that she does not possess her own vehicle. She mentioned that the cognitive care sessions have ignited a newfound passion for clinical care, while her research tasks have enhanced her investigative skills. Ultimately, she aspires to pursue a PhD in developmental psychology.
“I aim to enter the field of pediatrics, and while my current work with Memory Keepers isn’t directly within pediatrics, it has firmly established my desire for patient interaction,” Anderson stated. “In my initial two years, I envisioned myself solely working in a lab with a white lab coat. However, after my experiences at Memory Keepers, I now believe that having personal interaction with the individuals you assist is vital.”
The Chancellor’s Career Fellows Program was initiated in 2021 by Washington University in St. Louis Chancellor Andrew D. Martin to ensure that every student, regardless of their family income, can access a significant career experience. The program is partially financed by the Center for Career Engagement Professional Opportunities Fund.
“Research indicates that securing a paid internship significantly benefits students’ careers regarding the number of job offers they receive and their starting salaries upon graduation,” remarked Tyler Gahrs, strategy and impact manager for the Center for Career Engagement. “The Chancellor’s Career Fellows Program equips our students with the professional competencies they will utilize throughout their careers, while also expanding their network through professional connections, making them more appealing candidates.”
Anderson noted that the program has also instilled confidence in her.
“Regarding internships, I lack a background with an extensive professional network,” Anderson shared. “However, that doesn’t determine my future. The Chancellor’s Fellows has demonstrated to me that if you commit to the effort, opportunities will materialize.”
Career Catalysts is a collection about WashU interns, authored by WashU interns. WashU finances paid internships throughout the St. Louis region, granting students essential job skills while assisting local startups, small enterprises, and nonprofits in achieving their objectives.
Zach Trabitz was a news intern in University Marketing & Communications at WashU. This summer, he reported on the LIGHT public health summer camp; conducted surveys among WashU students and faculty regarding their preferred art destinations; interviewed researchers about the threats posed by ticks and mosquitoes; and profiled WashU faculty and students. He is majoring in art history in Arts & Sciences and serves as an editor at the Student Life newspaper.
Cole Bernstein is a multimedia intern in University Marketing & Communications at WashU. This summer, he produced a “Field Notes” video about CET Film Production at FAMU, a program abroad in Prague. Bernstein, who majors in film studies within Arts & Sciences, wrote and acted as the assistant director for the film “A Bird in the Field,” which debuted at the esteemed St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase.
The post Career Catalysts: Fellows program provides first-gen student skills and a stipend appeared first on The Source.
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