Workshop u Student stories

Throughout the visioning stage of WU, Mykhia developed a theory that she wanted to work in a hands-on, active job. And then, she used her internship to test that hypothesis! She interned at TinyWPA, an amazing community wood-shop, which allowed her to to figure out if she was going in the right direction before committing time and resources to a trade program.

Turns out, it was a great fit: and TinyWPA hired Mykhia on for

a full-time fellowship position.

- Mykhia

- LERAUN

- TATYANA

"I've gained experience with a range of equipment, from table saws to CNC machines, mills, and miter saws.

Currently, I'm building three benches for Johnny Sample Rec. It's thrilling to see my skills come together in a practical way, and I'm loving every moment of it."

During his year at WU, Leraun figured out that he wanted to work in creative, expressive spaces - like at the gaming conventions that he loves spending time at. He connected to the Arden Theatre and landed an internship as the assistant prop manager, where he found out that although he always thought he wanted to work in the digital world, exercising his art through the form of construction, painting, and set design was an unexpected delight.

Tatyana just finished her Associate’s degree at Penn State.

She arrived at WU knowing she wanted to make a difference in young people’s lives – but unsure of what avenue to take. Education? Therapy? Government work?

She realized that you can't make choices without grounding them in real experiences. So, she interned at Spectrum Success to get exposure to two types of social services she had not yet tried: work with adults, and work

with the special needs community. Day-to-day, she she helps designs programming for a cohort group of adults with autism, and supports folks through games, meals, and relationship-building.

- QAYLA

Qayla is a self-taught coder and learner of all kinds. She came to WU wanting to break into the tech field and build a portfolio for her skillset.

She interned at Warmly, a fast-growing AI sales start-up, where she was able to practice her initiative and self-leadership by managing many of her own projects.

After WU, Qayla landed a competitive apprenticeship with Aon. While it's not in the tech field she imagined - it's allowing Qayla to finish her AA degree (for free!) while working and developing herself professionally in remarkable ways. This is what WU is all about: pivoting and taking advantage of great opportunities in unexpected packages.

- OLA

Ola was laser-focused at WU; wanting to gain experience in the engineering field as he made decisions about where and how to pursue his higher education. Ola's journey was one of finding places to master and demonstrate new skills, even outside of the traditional college classroom space.

Ola interned at Alli Fabrication: where he worked with the engineering design team. He become versed in CAD drawings (a highly in-demand skillset) and left the internship with a portfolio fo work to show for it. He also was inspired to witness the full "process of going from the clients to the design to the making of the product;

it's just a beautiful process for me."

Yasir just finished his Associate’s at Penn State in Finance. He’s an avid learner, reader, and thinker –– catch him reading ‘The Intelligent Investor’ during lunch breaks. His big picture goal is to reinvest in young people and in communities, and he wanted to use his time at WU to figure out how he can make the most of his last two years of college when he returns.

Yasir built deep relationships with mentors, and grew his network; eventually connecting to a job at Vism Financial Consulting. He works to analyze financial data for clients for example, a new nail salon in town, to help them have the information they need to succeed.

Yasir was offered not one, but two post-internship opportunities from his

networking efforts.

- YASIR

" I want to seek out other hands-on work in the future, because of what I learned through this internship. I figured out that I go by feel, I go by actions. I do, instead of thinking. So that fits for me."

"It's given me a brief glimpse into a different world of service outside of working with children. I’m building confidence I’m networking. There are people who come through at the hospital or researchers and i'm talking to them just to connect and build my network."

"This work has pushed me harder than I’ve ever been pushed before. I always say I want a challenge, I say I like learning new things, and this is exactly what I wanted. I I thought I could do it, but now I proved to myself that I can."

"I’m really being a part of the team. My mentor briefs me at the beginning of each day and assigns me things just like any other designer.

There is a standard that my mentor pushes me to. And my work is neater, and cleaner, and also faster than it used to be when I first arrived here, because of my mentors help."

"In meetings, I learn as much as I can about people, because I genuinely care. I’m listening just to listen. And it’s allowed me to be seen differently from somebody without those skills I learned at WU. It's more important to be felt than seen. People will always remember how you make them feel."

- Mykhia

A proud Mykhia laying on the bench she helped build at TinyWPA.

Qayla's first day on the her new post-WU job.