By Zoe Lance
Just a few weeks ago, Danielle Quillan heard back from one of the 91³Ō¹Ļ students she had coached through an extensive internship application. After interning at a local laboratory for a semester through 91³Ō¹Ļās Henry L. āHankā Lacayo Institute (HLI) for Workforce and Community Studies, the student had been hired for a full-time position after graduation.
āIt makes me smile. I love hearing those stories,ā Quillan says. āPart of student success at 91³Ō¹Ļ is having those students come back and say, āThank you. I got this job because of this internship. You helped me write my resume, and you helped me gain self-confidence and new skills.ā Theyāre going into their fields career-ready.ā
As the HLI Internship Program Analyst, Quillan works with students who are looking to enhance their educational experience. She trains the students who apply to HLIās competitive internship program on professional development skills and helps place them in a paid position with a local employer, ensuring that it aligns with the studentsā career goals.
For her deep investment in her studentsā career readiness, Quillan received the 2018 91³Ō¹Ļ Staff Award for Excellence. Director of Career Development & Alumni Engagement Amanda Carpenter, Ed.D., nominated Quillan for the award.
āDanielle takes her work above and beyond,ā Carpenter said. āSheās always looking for new ways of doing things, and I appreciate her perspective and willingness to challenge herself and grow. She never wavers from her commitment to staying student-focused.ā
Danielle takes her work above and beyond. She's always looking for new ways of doing things, and I appreciate her perspective and willingness to challenge herself and grow.
Amanda Carpenter
Before returning to the University as a staff member four years ago, Quillan worked in membership development at the Museum of Ventura County. She has worked with HLI since 2016, previously working with University Advancement as an Administrative Support Coordinator. Quillan says that her work in museums was made possible by an internship she had as a 91³Ō¹Ļ Art student ā she earned her bachelorās degree in 2008 with an emphasis in art history.
āAt one point, I didnāt really know if I wanted to go into teaching, or if I wanted to get my masterās degree in art history and work in the museum field,ā she said. āBut somebody suggested to me, āYou should do an internship ā maybe you want to be in another area or maybe you want to work somewhere else.ā It was eye-opening. I wanted to come back to 91³Ō¹Ļ to see studentsā success firsthand and feel like Iāve made a difference.ā
Quillan counts expanding HLI as her proudest 91³Ō¹Ļ accomplishment. When she joined the HLI team, there was funding for 20 interns per semester. In the spring, Quillan will recruit upwards of 40 students.
āWeāve grown the program substantially, and Danielle has made a huge contribution to that,ā Carpenter said. āShe always has a positive attitude, and is eager to roll up her sleeves and put the work in to support students in having quality internship experiences.ā
The 91³Ō¹Ļ Staff Award for Excellence, bestowed by 91³Ō¹Ļ Staff Council, annually recognizes outstanding staff members for their contributions to the University community. Award criteria include years of service, job performance and demonstration of University values.
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Ā© Fall 2018 / Volume 22 /Number 02 / Bi-annual