Undergraduate

Name: Anjolaoluwa Coker

Graduation year: May 2015

Bauer in D.C. employer/role: Division of Enforcement Intern at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

What was your most memorable “intern” moment?: During my Internship several Interns and I had the opportunity to tour the Supreme Court and sit in on an information session, in the actual Supreme Court chamber. The session explained further how cases were brought to and handled by the justices in the court. Another memorable experience during my Internship was hearing stories of how the SEC has worked with the FBI on certain cases to pursue individuals suspected of committing fraud. It was intriguing seeing real world applications of how Accounting and laws interact.

What was your most memorable “D.C.” moment?: My most memorable D.C. moment was getting on the stage at the historic “Busboys and Poets” in D.C. and performing original spoken word poetry in front of supportive strangers. The creativity of people I met at poetry events captivated me.

If you had to pick just one reason to tell a current Bauer student to apply for the program, what would you say?: Apply for the program because, where else will you get a chance to spend 4 months in a vastly different place, leave Texas, learn about yourself while discovering your passions and developing them, all on someone else’s dime. The experience changed my life, perspective and career ambitions; I am sure it will do the same and more for you.

Name: Melanie Franco

Graduation year: May 2016

Bauer in D.C. employer/role: Spring Fellow at the Institute for 21st Century Energy in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

What was your most memorable “intern” moment?: My department hosted an event where the CEO of ConocoPhillips spoke and I had the opportunity to help with the planning and executing process of the event from start to finish. There was a moment during the luncheon when Mr. Ryan Lance was speaking that I looked around the room of 500 or so guests and was just incredibly proud of all the work that we had all done, as a team, to make this event happen. It was an amazing feeling that I constantly felt throughout the entirety of my internship.

What was your most memorable “D.C.” moment?: My cousin came down from New York City to visit me over her spring break and we spent the weekend exploring the city. It was really fun to be able to show her the city that I had grown to love, even though after living there for months I still managed to get us lost walking home from the Washington Monument. It was also nice to have a little piece of home with me in this place that had become my new home, even if it was just for a weekend.

If you had to pick just one reason to tell a current Bauer student to apply for the program, what would you say?: Washington, D.C. is an extremely inspiring city, no matter what you wish to do with your life. Even if you do not have any interest in politics, there is something about being surrounded by and completely engrossed in the democratic process that makes you want to be the best that you can be. This program will encourage you to step outside of your comfort zone and really explore who you are and what you can do.

Name: Kamellia Zeynali

Graduation year: December 2015

Bauer in D.C. employer/role: Corporate Social Responsibility Intern at Financial Services Roundtable

What was your most memorable “intern” moment?: One of my most memorable moments as an intern in D.C. was having the opportunity to attend JumpStart's Financial Literacy Day on the Hill. The event was held in the Cannon House Office Building and as we stepped out of the elevator with our 300+ material on financial literacy, there were interviews occurring in the Canon Rotunda. It was a big "wow" moment for me because we were standing a few feet away from where some of the most influential political figures have been interviewed on national TV.

What was your most memorable “D.C.” moment?: One of my (many) fun moments in DC was attending the Global Citizen 2015 Earth Day Concert. The concert was completely free and was set up on the National Mall. The lineup included Usher, Mary J Blige, Fallout Boy, Train, and many more. We even got to see Bonnie Wright from Harry Potter! I think the most memorable moment of the day was as we were eating lunch.

If you had to pick just one reason to tell a current Bauer student to apply for the program, what would you say?: There are many if not hundreds of reasons why you should apply to the Bauer in D.C. Fellowship Program. But if I had to pick just one, I would say to apply for the experience. I'm not just talking about the internship experience, which yes is fulfilling, but I'm talking about the personal experiences you will gain both inside and outside your internship. Simple things like going to a new museum every weekend, to meeting the CEO of Discover, to making friends with people from all over the world, the experiences you will have in D.C. will be ones you'll never forget.

Name: Sarah Lastovica

Graduation year: BBA - May 2015, MSACCY - May 2016

Bauer in D.C. employer/role: I interned with Points of Light as the “A Billion + Change Intern.” A Billion + Change is a specific department within the Points of Light DC office.

What was your most memorable “intern” moment?: My most memorable “intern” moment was being able to sit in on a Points of Light Board Meeting. I was surrounded by professionals from all industries who wanted to be involved with the running of a nonprofit. I got to see the leader of the D.C. office explain about some of our initiatives and see how the Board members provided feedback and voted on different policies directly affecting my day-to-day activities. I thought it would be many years into my career before I got the opportunity to listen in on one of these meetings. Instead, I got the experience as an Intern.

What was your most memorable “D.C.” moment?: My most memorable D.C. moment would have to be from my walks. It didn’t matter to me if it was snowing, or if the sun was brightly shining, I would take walks from our apartment down past the Capital building, and beyond to the monuments. The unique thing about D.C. is that there is always activity. Every walk I took showed me new sights and new people to watch. Often I would sit by the reflecting pool in front of the Capital and watch people pass me by. Other times I would sit and watch the sunset over the Washington Monument. There is so much beauty in D.C., and while it is a fast-paced city, I enjoyed being able to relax and take in its beauty.

If you had to pick just one reason to tell a current Bauer student to apply for the program, what would you say?: I would recommend participating in this program because it gives you a unique opportunity to learn and grow, an opportunity that very few students are provided the opportunity to experience. The exposure I received during this program has aided me in everything I’ve done since and set me apart from my peers. I can call on months of experience to bring wisdom to my work that I would not have if I had stayed in Houston.

Name: Sravya Chilukuri

Graduation year: May 2014

Current employer/role: Credit Analyst, Comerica Bank

Bauer in D.C. employer/role: Smiths Group, Government Relations Intern

What was your most memorable “intern” moment?: My most memorable intern moment was when our team went to present at a Smiths Group location in New Jersey. We were part of the PAC team, and we went to promote the importance of political involvement for employees.

What was your most memorable “D.C.” moment?: My most memorable DC Moment was all the tours with my Bauer in D.C. crew. We made it a point to go out every weekend and have the time of our lives! I got to see most of the monuments, museums and try all delicious foods thanks to my group.

If you had to pick just one reason to tell a current Bauer student to apply for the program, what would you say?: If I had to pick one reason for a student to apply, I would say "because you will get more in return for your time spent there." It isn't just the internship, but the atmosphere of being a D.C. Intern. It isn't the usual summer internship but much more, you get to travel, live and experience a semester full of adventure.

Name: Nancy Valero

Graduation year: May 15, 2015

Current employer/role: Wholesale Distribution Analyst, Targa Resources

Bauer in D.C. employer/role: Government Affairs Intern at The Financial Services Roundtable.

What was your most memorable “intern” moment?: My most memorable intern moment was having the opportunity to work with Congressmen and Senators directly. I met some of the nation's most influential people. I had the chance to make a small contribution to our nation's history.

What was your most memorable “D.C.” moment?: My most memorable D.C. moments were: kayaking on the Potomac River, watching the sunset on the National Mall, and taking a walk down memory lane with my friends during our last hours in DC. We took pictures, played at the park, took more pictures, and ate ice cream through our final hours in D.C.

If you had to pick just one reason to tell a current Bauer student to apply for the program, what would you say?: The Bauer in D.C. Fellowship program is a life changing experience where you will learn not only about national matters, but how to become a more independent and reliable person. You will learn that giving it your all sometimes isn't enough. You will learn that you are not just representing a school, but a student body that is Bauer. You will learn to hold yourself to higher standards. You will learn to never give up, and you will learn that even though it is just one day of your life, you have the potential to leave a legacy for the generations to come.

Name: Sam Castillo

Graduation year: December 2014

Current employer/role: Advisory Consultant, EY

Bauer in D.C. employer/role: U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Center for Education and Workforce / Programming and Communications Intern.

What was your most memorable “intern” moment?: My most memorable intern moment in D.C. was getting the privilege to attend and assist in coordinating the, “Tapping into Talent: Improving the Transition from School to Work” event. I enjoyed the event because it was a relevant topic that I could easily relate to. Furthermore, I got to network and learn a lot on this topic from different points of views and how business plays a key role in many of the initiatives discussed.

What was your most memorable “D.C.” moment?: Although I enjoyed every second of the experience, I would say my most memorable D.C. moment was towards end of the program when the weather cooled down and we went on a late night stroll to see the monuments at the national mall. This came after we all went together to see the Cherry Blossom Festival Fireworks. It was bitter sweet, because we only had a few weeks left before our departure. The stroll itself was a great bonding experience with my Bauer in D.C. family, because it allowed us to reflect back on the amazing memories we made.

If you had to pick just one reason to tell a current Bauer student to apply for the program, what would you say?: I would say to not be afraid to try something completely new especially if it’s something that challenges you to come out of your comfort zone. The Bauer in D.C. program gave me the opportunity to learn more about myself and the courage moving forward to embrace and strive for opportunities that allow me to grow both professionally and personally. In addition I am humbled to have met such a great group of friends that I grew close to during my 16 weeks in D.C.

Name: Jason John

Graduation year: BBA 2014, MSACCY 2015

Current employer/role: Advisory Consultant, Deloitte

Bauer in D.C. employer/role: U.S. Department of Commerce - Office of Public Affairs, Public Affairs Intern.

What was your most memorable “intern” moment?: My most memorable "intern" moment would have to be when I was asked to help write a speech for the then Secretary of Commerce. The Chief Speechwriter was housed in the Office of Public Affairs and had me try my hand at writing a few lines for a speech that the Secretary would be giving at an event for the Department. I couldn't believe he was actually letting me help him and to top that, he included a few of my additions in the actual speech. At the event, it felt incredible having someone as high up as the Secretary of Commerce read lines from a speech that I helped write!

What was your most memorable “D.C.” moment?: My most memorable "D.C. moment" would have to be attending the 2013 Presidential Inauguration. We've always witnessed a president inaugurated on television every four years, but I never thought I'd be able to be one of those thousands of people standing on the national mall listening to the President speak. Describing this as an exhilarating experience is an understatement!

If you had to pick just one reason to tell a current Bauer student to apply for the program, what would you say?: I would tell that student to not think twice about participating! You might think that interning in DC might not be related to what you're studying at Bauer, but EVERYTHING you do when you live and work in the nation's capital is relevant to whatever you decide to do as a career! The experiences, memories, and relationships you build will help you stand out in the workplace and allow for you to think differently, more creatively, than your peers. Interning in Washington will only add to your incredible Bauer degree.

Name: Nadine Tavera

Graduation year: Spring 2013

Current employer/role: Headstart Network Foundation, IDEX Accelerator Global Fellowship (Bangalore, India).

Bauer in D.C. employer/role: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Office of Minority and Women Inclusion, HACU intern.

What was your most memorable “intern” moment?: My most memorable intern moment was getting to participate in roundtable discussions focused on improving the participation and employment of Latinos within the federal government. It was amazing to be able to meet so many thought leaders and representatives from different federal agencies who truly care and work towards building diversity and inclusion at all levels.

What was your most memorable “D.C.” moment?: There are so many memorable “D.C.” moments, it is hard to just choose one! From visiting the White House during the full bloom of Spring, to getting my very own private tour of the Treasury Department and Department of Justice, the best part was being able to witness history as President Obama took his second Oath of Office during the 2013 inaugural ceremony on Capitol Hill. The crowd was massive and the city was completely shut down as the streets filled with thousands of people in red, white and blue. I’ve never felt more patriotic and proud to be an American in my entire life!

If you had to pick just one reason to tell a current Bauer student to apply for the program, what would you say?: This one semester could potentially define the rest of your career path, so why spend it in a classroom and reading text books when you could be gaining real work experience and skills while building everlasting friendships and memories?

Name: Tracy Do

Graduation year: May 2014

Current employer/role: Accounting Analyst, Targa Resources

Bauer in D.C. employer/role: Financial Services Roundtable – Housing Policy Council Intern.

What was your most memorable “intern” moment?: My most memorable intern moment was getting to be a part of an initiative that highlighted industry efforts in reducing homelessness among veterans and wounded warriors. This project has helped hundreds of service members that have done so much for our country and has made me appreciate our troops even more.

What was your most memorable “D.C.” moment?: From volunteering for the Cherry Blossom Run, to attending a Ted talk, I made sure every single weekend was packed with activities!

If you had to pick just one reason to tell a current Bauer student to apply for the program, what would you say?: The Bauer in D.C. program is a once in a lifetime opportunity that I will forever be grateful for. Being able to be a full-time intern in Washington, D.C. as a student is one of the most powerful things because it encourages you to take full advantage of the resources around you to get ahead. After immersing myself in D.C. culture, I learned the importance of purposely living outside of my comfort zone. Bauer in D.C. laid the groundwork for me to see that passion and conviction are necessities in accomplishing any goal. I am no longer afraid to push my limits and rise above any obstacles. The Bauer in D.C. program really solidified my desire to dream bigger. Take the challenge!

Name: Vanessa Salinas

Graduation year: December 2014

Current employer/role: Management Consulting Analyst, Accenture

Bauer in D.C. employer/role: The Financial Services Roundtable /Communications Intern.

What was your most memorable “intern” moment?: My most memorable moment as an intern was when my senior manager trusted me to speak to a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives about a sensitive issue pertaining to a hot piece of legislation at the time.

What was your most memorable “D.C.” moment?: I had two very memorable moments in DC. The first was when my fellow interns and I met former presidential candidate John McCain. And the second was when CEO and former Governor Tim Pawlenty asked if I would accompany him and his team to a Bloomberg interview he giving on why Big Banks were “too big to fail.” We swapped life stories, dreams, and aspirations while in the cab on the way to his interview.

If you had to pick just one reason to tell a current Bauer student to apply for the program, what would you say?: It is your shot to help the United States of America in its heartbeat, Washington D.C.!