Aspire Institute and the Aspire Leaders Program, known for empowering university students worldwide, also provides opportunities for local talent in the Boston, Massachusetts area. This past summer, two Boston University students, Hailee Helfrick and Mason Yates, had the opportunity to intern with Aspire Institute full time. They shared their insights as both Aspire Institute interns and first-generation college students about supporting Aspire’s mission and gaining exposure to the inner workings of a nonprofit startup organization.
First-Generation College Students Accessing Opportunities
As first-generation college students, Hailee and Mason embody a drive and determination to pursue opportunities and form new networks. They discovered the internship through Boston University’s Newbury Center, a hub for first-generation student success. Their experiences underscore the importance of proactivity, resourcefulness, and openness to unexpected opportunities – qualities that Aspire Institute also hopes to nurture in Aspire Leaders Program participants globally.
Meet Hailee
Hailee Helfrick, a senior majoring in anthropology with a specialization in health and medicine and a minor in sociology at Boston University, will graduate in January, take some time off, and then hopes to go to law school. Her involvement in campus organizations like Sigma Delta Tau sorority and Alpha Alpha Alpha, a first-generation college student honor society, showcase her leadership skills and commitment to community engagement – all things she brought to her summer as an Aspire Institute intern.
Navigating the First-Gen Experience
Hailee shared openly about her story as a first-generation college student. She speaks of supportive parents who emphasize education and support her wholeheartedly although they may not understand everything about her college life and future goals. As she plans for a gap year before law school, she is aware of the need for self-reliance post-graduation. She also noted that law school originally drew her in as it is something she can easily explain to family back home.
In terms of finding new networks and opportunities, she emphasized the value of speaking to other people, learning about their interests, and continuing to form her future career goals.
From Spring to Summer: Growing and Shifting Perspectives at Aspire
Being an Aspire Institute intern during both spring and summer, Hailee had the time to gain comprehensive experience in a nonprofit. She appreciated the intimate setting and the work she was able to complete.
“I feel like most places you get something very remedial,” she said.
During Hailee’s time at Aspire Institute, she has done everything from research on different alumni engagement strategies to helping design a possible new program. These experiences challenged her preconceptions about creating change.
“I want to help people, and I think I always had a very grand idea of what that meant,” she explained.
Previously, she thought of large organizations and governmental agencies but now sees how smaller organizations and individuals can create ripple effects and lasting impact.
Looking to the Future
Hailee will be pursuing another internship during her Fall semester before graduating and looking for full-time work prior to law school. She’s embracing the possibilities.
“There are countless opportunities,” she expressed. “We’re young enough that we’re not tied down anywhere.”
Meet Mason
Mason Yates, studying business administration with a focus on finance and marketing, demonstrates his leadership through involvement in student government and his party, Terriers United, which advocates for low-income and first-generation college students. These passions align closely with Aspire Institute’s mission and the work of the Communications & Outreach team.
Building a Support Network as a First-Gen Student
Mason shared openly about his strong support system. He speaks gratefully of the guidance he received from his aunt during the college application process, the unwavering support from his mother, and the shared experiences with his sister who also attended college in Boston. This network has been crucial to navigating his journey as a first-generation college student.
“She guided me in picking school, how to apply, financial aid, just everything,” he said about his aunt. “She took out her own time to help me which was really special.”
Mason’s mother continues to be key to his journey as well, supporting him in every facet of his life. He recognizes that although she may not understand the college journey, she has so much knowledge from her years of working and other experiences. Mason truly appreciates her unwavering support and how they find common ground.
Throughout college, Mason has also continued to explore many extracurriculars as he did in High School and find new opportunities and connections.
Mason highlighted the value of being open to new experiences and meeting new people.
“It’s really just about being resourceful,” he said. “Opportunities can sort of come out of anywhere like personal connections or various places online.”
A Window Into Our Globalized World
Mason’s experience as an Aspire Institute intern provided unique exposure to global audiences and a variety of stakeholders. His responsibilities included interviewing alumni and world-class faculty, supporting marketing and communications efforts, and gaining insights into international perspectives.
“I’ve had the opportunity to learn about so many different people, of so many different walks of life – domestically and internationally,” he explained. “I think that’s just a really unique experience.”
The internship experience impacted Mason’s view of the world through these projects and interactions.
“This whole internship has just been a huge change in perspective of my little U.S. college student bubble that I’ve lived in for the past 3 years,” he admitted.
As many Aspire Institute staff and Aspire Leaders Program participants experience, Mason also broadened his horizons and felt a deeper awareness about journeys of other first-generation college students worldwide.
Looking to the Future
As he approaches his senior year, Mason focuses on enjoying his final year of college while considering his next steps.
“I’m excited to continue doing the work I’m doing in student government and continuing to meet new people,” he said.
Each year, he has met new people on campus and doesn’t want this to stop even as he balances continuing to as an Aspire Institute intern this fall, student government responsibilities, and finding a job for after graduation in May.
Reflecting on Trust
The culmination of their summer internships included a chance to step back and reflect as well. Both summer interns read Trust: Creating the Foundation for Entrepreneurship in Developing Countries by Aspire Institute co-founder and Harvard Business School professor, Tarun Khanna. During their final week of their summer internship, they presented on how their learnings from this book related to their experience and future goals.
Hailee felt this allowed her to reflect on her journey and work at Aspire Institute in a different way.
“While you’re in it, you can forget exactly the purpose but being able to step back and look at through this lens of trust and interdependency [shows] the impact one person can have that can impact the lives of thousands,” she expressed.
Mason insightfully reflected on how trust proves vital as the Aspire Institute team works to scale impact worldwide. He witnessed this as he worked with other teams to align communications and marketing efforts throughout the summer and will carry this into his future work with Aspire Institute and beyond.
Shared Insights on Aspire
Both Hailee and Mason expressed an appreciation for the unique value of interning at Aspire Institute. They gained real responsibility in a startup and nonprofit setting, developed a global perspective, and came to understand the impact of trust and interdependency.
“Everyone from an intern at Aspire all the way up to the founders – everyone’s role is really important,” he said.
