After an eight-week internship, Uptown student is first-generation family member to go to college
this fall

By Dave Fidlin | Reportero SDUN

Jorge Rivera did not come from the most privileged background, but he never stopped dreaming about the boundless possibilities that lie before him.

Rather than relax over the summer—a period of time that bridges the gap between the end of high school and the beginning of college—the 2011 Herbert Hoover High School graduate delved into an intensive internship that solidified future goals.

Rivera was one of five San Diego students selected to partake in the Student Leaders Program; a Bank of America sponsored eight-week initiative.

In addition to Rivera, other San Diego participants included Gabriela Perez, a Herbert Hoover student who interned at Community Housing Works; Cristen Enge, a recent graduate of Scripps Ranch High School who interned at Junior Achievement of San Diego & Imperial Co.; Pedro Mota, a senior at Lincoln High School who interned at Junior Achievement; and Alan Vong, a senior at James Madison High School who interned at Community Housing Works.

This summer, Rivera spent his summer on a paid internship with the San Diego based Ocean Discovery
Institute, an organization dedicated to working with urban youth on topics related to the ocean and natural environment.

Rivera said that Ocean Discovery helped him hone the important life an academic skills that enabled him to attend UC Berkeley this fall.

“It’s been a very enriching experience for me over the years,” he said of his time at Ocean Discovery. “I’ve had a number of incredible experiences, including an opportunity to travel to Mexico and do hands-on research [for the organization]. The Ocean Discovery Institute gave me so many opportunities that I wouldn’t have been able to do on my own.”

During his intensive internship, which began June 27 and wrapped Aug. 17, Rivera worked with Executive Director Shara Fisler and other lead staff members on a number of projects, including writing grant requests and assisting with donor research.

Rivera said he took pride in his work throughout the summer, and hopes his efforts would trickle down to younger students in living situations similar to his. In recent years, Rivera said he has become a staunch advocate of providing all students with equal opportunities at attaining a quality education.

One summer highlight for Rivera was an opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. in mid-July for a student leadership summit, also sponsored by Bank of America. He and other program participants learned the virtues of service through a variety of activities and workshops.

With a highly rewarding summer experience still fresh in his mind, Rivera said he has a number of goals in the future. He is settling into post-high school life and eventually aspires to major in and pursue a trade within the study of mechanical engineering.

“I’m looking around for opportunities here in Berkeley,” Rivera said. “I want to look for something
similar to [Ocean Discovery] so I can continue to research and become a problem-solver. I love solving problems.”

More than anything, Rivera said he is excited and humbled to have opportunities that were not necessarily present in previous generations of his family. “I’m living my dream right now,” he said emphatically.

Bank of America provided 230 students with opportunities to partake in a variety of civic-minded internships across the nation. According to company officials, $1 million was devoted to this year’s leadership program, which began in 2004.

“Our Student Leaders Program helps match extraordinary civic-minded youth with nonprofit organizations in need of additional resources,” said Rick Bregman, president of Bank of America’s San Diego market. “Through this initiative, we’re equipping young people with invaluable learning and professional development experiences, while continuing to create and build a true culture of service in our own backyard.”