Oluchi Ezemma '22

1) What are some skills/competencies (NACE) that you developed during your internship?

I was able to exercise my communication and interpersonal skills in weekly leadership meetings where I was able to share project accomplishments and goals for the week. In working directly alongside the Program Director, I was able to share my experiences as an athlete and create ways to enhance the participants’ experiences within the program. My experience also allowed me to enhance my psychology studies by zoning into the effects of winter sports on the youths’ lifestyles- physically, mentally, emotionally, and academically.

2) How does this experience connect to your future career goals?

In the future I hope to pursue medicine and psychiatry. My experience at Winter4kids taught me about project based work and how important it is to use your personal experiences as a motivation to create ways to help others- all while working alongside a team who can give feedback to help turn brainstorming into action. As mentioned earlier, a good portion of my work centered around the effects of winter sports on the youth’s lifestyles- through this work I was able to use my background as an athlete and psychology major to find ways to make exercise, eating healthy, trying new things, working hard in school, and strengthening social connections less of a burden, and more of a fun and natural lifestyle for participants.

3) What advice would you give to other Holy Cross students?

My biggest advice to Holy Cross students is to take advantage of all the opportunities that are presented to you in your collegiate years, and pursue things you are truly passionate about- because each opportunity is another way to meet someone new, learn something new, and better yourself.