Hire-a-Youth Interns Make Their Mark on Enrollment Services

While many of their friends spent the summer relaxing at home, three Hoover High School students were busy gaining valuable work experience with Enrollment Services.

Hire-a-Youth program

Sophomore Nasro Salan and juniors Arely Cano and Lan Anh Dam joined nearly 80 other Hoover High School interns who worked on the SDSU campus through the San Diego Workforce Partnership’s Hire-a-Youth program.

From June 22 to July 30, the trio worked in various areas within Enrollment Services, including the Office of Advising and Evaluations, Communications and Curriculum. They assisted with administrative tasks and preparing student materials for New Student Orientation. Often, they worked side by side with current students, giving them a unique opportunity to learn about life as an SDSU student.

Getting familiar with SDSU

“Our main goal for the students was to help them become familiar with the SDSU campus, including people in our department and other areas,” said Sandra Cook, assistant vice president for Academic Affairs.

Nasro, Arely and Lan were guided throughout their employment by Lottie Bowen, assistant to Cook, who acted as the students’ trainer and work “mother.” Bowen provided her contact information to the students’ parents, taught them proper office behavior and helped them figure out their bus schedules so that they arrived to work on time everyday.

More than just a summer job

Cook also arranged for the students to take a campus tour, visit the Sharp Healthcare Human Patient Simulator and turtle pond at Scripps Cottage, and eat lunch with President Stephen L. Weber.

“We hoped that these young students would gain job skills and experience to be good employees in any future jobs they have,” said Cook. “The success of the program was better than we ever anticipated.”