Ava, a Derby high school student, was hired as a summer intern by the Wichita Business Journal after a rigorous interview process through the Workforce Alliance Youth Employment Project. Throughout the summer, she assisted with various projects from research to administrative tasks and shadowing reporters, photographers, editors and the publisher.

Ava's internship experience was more than just a job. It was an opportunity to learn from seasoned professionals and gain firsthand experience in the field of journalism. She developed valuable skills, such as writing, editing, and fact-checking. The internship also helped her build a professional network that would prove invaluable in her future career.

At the end of the summer, Wichita Business Journal was so impressed they already pledged to hire another high school intern through YEP in 2025 and offered Ava a return slot as well!  

Here are the comments from Ava’s supervisor: “Ava played a pivotal role in driving nominations and participation for our recognition programs. She was hands-on in event setup and production, while also managing spreadsheets, updating databases, and addressing administrative challenges, including solving a product-ordering issue for customers. Ava worked closely with several team members, including our publisher, and displayed a strong eagerness to learn and take on new responsibilities. We witnessed remarkable personal growth in her, as she evolved from a quiet and shy individual to someone who confidently sought out larger tasks. She also demonstrated her commitment to our team by bringing her entire family to a Wichita Wind Surge staff outing, giving us the opportunity to meet them, which was a memorable and enjoyable experience for everyone.”