By Zoe Lance
Just a few weeks ago, Danielle Quillan heard back from one of the 海角社区CI students she had coached through an extensive internship application. After interning at a local laboratory for a semester through 海角社区CI鈥檚 Henry L. 鈥淗ank鈥� Lacayo Institute (HLI) for Workforce and Community Studies, the student had been hired for a full-time position after graduation.
鈥淚t makes me smile. I love hearing those stories,鈥� Quillan says. 鈥淧art of student success at 海角社区CI is having those students come back and say, 鈥楾hank 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.鈥� They鈥檙e going into their fields career-ready.鈥�
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 HLI鈥檚 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 students鈥� career goals.
For her deep investment in her students鈥� career readiness, Quillan received the 2018 海角社区CI Staff Award for Excellence. Director of Career Development & Alumni Engagement Amanda Carpenter, Ed.D., nominated Quillan for the award.
鈥淒anielle takes her work above and beyond,鈥� Carpenter said. 鈥淪he鈥檚 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.鈥�
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 海角社区CI Art student 鈥� she earned her bachelor鈥檚 degree in 2008 with an emphasis in art history.
鈥淎t one point, I didn鈥檛 really know if I wanted to go into teaching, or if I wanted to get my master鈥檚 degree in art history and work in the museum field,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut somebody suggested to me, 鈥榊ou should do an internship 鈥� maybe you want to be in another area or maybe you want to work somewhere else.鈥� It was eye-opening. I wanted to come back to 海角社区CI to see students鈥� success firsthand and feel like I鈥檝e made a difference.鈥�
Quillan counts expanding HLI as her proudest 海角社区CI 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.
鈥淲e鈥檝e grown the program substantially, and Danielle has made a huge contribution to that,鈥� Carpenter said. 鈥淪he 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.鈥�
The 海角社区CI Staff Award for Excellence, bestowed by 海角社区CI 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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漏 Fall 2018 / Volume 22 /Number 02 / Bi-annual