Work Ready Philadelphia Intern Report: Natalia Quiñones

This summer I enrolled myself in a program called Work Ready Philadelphia. This program helps students find jobs that they are interested in for the future. And it helps you become comfortable and have a better understanding of working in a business environment. Also, you learn how to enroll in college and about scholarships and grants to help you get into college.

Through Work Ready, I had an internship at the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia. I learned how to do research, make business calls, and work with a database. I also learned how to set up meetings using Microsoft Outlook.

The main project I worked on was that I had to interview seven people and find out a little about how they got their jobs at the Economy League and what colleges they went to.

The first person I interviewed was Erik Johanson. Erik Johanson is a project manager. He does things that have to do with SEPTA. He went to college at Tufts University. He studied Political Science while he attended college.

The second person I interviewed was Robert Gordon. He is a Research Associate and also manages all the information and technology systems. One of the questions that I asked him was why he picked this job. He said he chose this job because of the type of reports being done here. He also thinks Philadelphia has a great potential to become a better place.  He went to college at Villanova University. While he was in college he studied Political Science and minored in Communications. The projects he currently working on are updating the PDI index and a report for The Philadelphia Foundation.

The third person I interviewed was Allison Kelsey. She is the Communications Director who does public relations and worked on the Economy League's website and events. She attended Brown University and later received her master's from the University of Pennsylvania. While she was in college she studied Religious Studies. The project she is currently working on is finishing the next Insight that is going to be about World Class Greater Philadelphia. And she is also working on the Leadership Exchange.

The fourth person I interviewed was Steve Wray, the Executive Director. He makes sure the company meets its financial and budget expectations. He attended Duke University and earned his masters at Carnegie Mellon University. He studied Public Policy, Political Science, and Economics in college. The project he is currently working on is the World Class Greater Philadelphia to help the region to better understand its future. He also directs research and projects.

The fifth person I interviewed was Alison Gold. She is responsible for figuring out strategy for the company and the Board and for staffing the Board of Directors. She attended Columbia University in New York. The project she is currently working on is the Greater Philadelphia Leadership Exchange and World Class Greater Philadelphia.  

My experience here has been great. I have met a lot of new people and learned new skills. Things that I have learned from this internship and Work Ready I will take with me and keep using throughout my next school year.

--Natalia Quiñones, Work Ready Summer Intern