Cle-Andra Rolle, a senior at Florida Memorial University majoring in biology, says her dream of becoming a doctor is a realty because of Miami-Dade County Commissioner Barbara Jordan’s Summer Youth Internship Initiative (SYII).
Rolle worked as an intern this summer at Jackson Memorial Hospital, assisting medical staff. “I saw someone being resuscitated...doctors brought them back to life,” she said. “That experience solidified it for me. I’m getting a head start on my career.”
For eight to 10 weeks, 30 students were paid to work in County government and the private sector as part of the SYII program. Students underwent an extensive interview process and were required to attend a daylong orientation session with a motivational speaker, life coach and several entrepreneurs.
Students who participated in the program were from Florida Memorial, St. Thomas University, Florida State University, Florida Atlantic University, University of Florida, Florida A&M University, Florida International University and Spelman College.
“The Summer Youth Internship Initiative was designed to give students real work experience, and our interns have made me very proud in how they have excelled in and outside of the workplace,” Jordan said.