Most people choose the traditional route when applying for internships: They wait for an opening and submit a résumé. But Honda Carter knew what she wanted, so she took a different approach.
“I was looking at WKAR Public Radio’s website, but they didn’t have any positions up,” says Carter. “I met the news director at a convention in Detroit and pitched myself for a job.”
And her pitch paid off. Carter was offered an internship on the spot.
She credits TeenQuest and Summer Youth Initiative (SYI) for giving her the skills she needed to go for what she wanted.
“TeenQuest taught me the responsibility of having a job,” says Carter. “It taught me how to be responsible for myself.”
Find out what the Beecher High School graduate and Michigan State University student is up to currently and how TeenQuest helped her get there.
What are you currently doing?
Along with interning at WKAR Public Radio, I am a sports producer for Focal Point News, a student-run broadcast at Michigan State University. I am the vice president of the National Association of Black Journalists, the Social Media Chair of Black Media Entertainment and a mentor through the African American Student Mentor Program.
What is your favorite part about working for WKAR?
I like going out and getting interviews and then editing them together. The stories are really interesting.
How did the lessons you learned in TeenQuest/SYI help you get your current position?
It helped me with my interviewing skills. TeenQuest taught me how to respond to questions, shake someone’s hand properly and sell myself in an interview.
What is a memorable moment from TeenQuest/SYI?
At Beecher High School, where I worked through SYI, they had a Teen Supervisor position. They had supervisors every year, but the year I wanted to become one they were trying to remove the position. They were also switching up managers, so I had to pitch myself for that job, too [laughs]. I went to the new manager and told her I could help her as a Teen Supervisor, and she gave me the role.
What advice would you give to current TeenQuest/SYI students?
Take it seriously. Having the responsibility in high school will be an advantage when you graduate.
What has been your proudest moment since TeenQuest/SYI?
When I was accepted into my dream college. I remember I got the email at 10 at night. I was getting into my car when I read it and I just started screaming!
TeenQuest and Summer Youth Initiative are made possible through the generous support of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.
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