When I first heard about the Urban Alliance Program I wasn’t sure if I wanted to join or not. When the representatives of Urban Alliance came to my school, they gave a wonderful presentation to the seniors of HD Woodson SHS. They talked about how you were going to get a great job and how many people became successful after being in the program. When the presentation was over my feelings about not being sure had changed. For acceptance to the program I had to fill out an application packet. I also needed a 2.0 grade point average (GPA), 2 recommendations from a teacher and counselor, and a copy of my transcript.
Weeks after the application was filled out and turned in, I got a message from one of the representatives stating to give them a call as soon as possible. When I contacted the program coordinators of Urban Alliance they announced that I had been accepted into the program. I was ecstatic because there were only a limited number of students that could participate. They told me that I would have to go through training for four weeks and that it would help me become more aware of the business world.
When I went to school the next day, my District of Columbia College Access Program (DC CAP) advisor told me that I had been partially accepted. To get fully accepted into the program I had to attend training every day, participate in activities that were held, and go to an interview. Every day I attended training and learned new things that I didn’t know, such as how to use a fax machine, how to answer and transfer calls, what not to do during work, and other materials that were needed for the business world. When training was over I felt as if I’d accomplished my goals because I became more responsible as a person. I became well-organized and began to manage my time better.
During the interview, I was very nervous. I’d never been in an interview before. I was asked a lot questions such as, What did I learn in training? What are my strengths and weaknesses? How did I find out about the program? How would I be a good representative of Urban Alliance? Name one word that best described me, and a lot of other question. As the interviewer was asking the question all I thought was act like I’d been on a million and one interviews already. After the interview was over, I thought I did a great job because I answered the questions with complete sentences and was self-confident.
That following week, I had to attend a workshop that would let me know if I was accepted or not. The program coordinators gave out letters amongst the students. The letters stated if you got accepted or not. When all my friends and I got our letters, we opened them at the same time. I was nervous to open my letter because I didn’t know what to expect. As I opened the envelope and read the letter, it said “Congratulations you have been accepted into the Urban Alliance Program”!!! I was thrilled.
Being accepted in this program has required me to get a half-of-day schedule at school which means I only have to take two classes a day instead of four classes. I have to work from 2:00pm to 5:00pm every Monday-Thursday. I was very excited because not only did I have a half-of-day schedule but I had a job as an intern. I didn’t look at it as if I were an intern. Now I could tell lots of people that I had a non-profit job and hopefully become a positive role model for my little brothers.
At the Annual Fall Kickoff they announced where I’d be working. I found out that I would be working at Washington Area Women’s Foundation. I also met my wonderful mentor Mariah Craven and she explained to me what The Foundation was about. During my time at The Women’s Foundation, I have also learned a lot of new things such as how to use Microsoft Outlook, how to write blogs, and how to use a scanner. I have met wonderful new people and gotten a chance to help my fellow employees. When I go off to college I’m going to be sad because I will not be able to do the program any more.
Freedonia Dolberry is a new intern at Washington Area Women’s Foundation. She joined The Women’s Foundation through Urban Alliance. For more information about the program go to www.theurbanalliance.org.
