Meet The Summer Interns – Josephina Qiu
The Plano Chamber is thrilled to introduce two Plano Independent School District students who will be joining them this summer as interns through the Plano Mayor’s Summer Internship Program, generously sponsored and supported by Capital One. “Combining Plano’s vibrant business community with a nationally recognized school district, the Plano Mayor’s Summer Internship Program is a paid summer internship program for rising juniors and seniors attending a Plano public school or residing in Plano.” Coupled with Plano Chamber’s goal of fostering connections and creating a thriving Plano business community, the Chamber’s collaboration with this program is the perfect outlet to provide a valuable environment for leadership, engagement and building up a skilled workforce.
The Plano Chamber would like to welcome and spotlight our first intern, Josephina Qiu. LaChaya Terry, our Communications & Marketing Director asked Josephina a few questions about her community involvement, future goals, and what she hopes to learn this summer from her interning experience.
- What would you like readers to know about YOU and why you chose to participate in the Plano Mayor’s Summer Internship Program?
A notion that I have strived to make central in my life is to embrace new challenges and push my boundaries. Change was hard for me to approach when I was younger, and I found comfort in stagnation that often barred me from valuable experiences and new growth. Therefore, trying new things and pushing myself out of my comfort zone became my outlet to embrace adaptability. The Plano Mayor’s Summer Internship Program was an experience I chose to participate in to further expand my horizons. I had never worked in a professional environment before, and I wanted to further explore and gain experience in the business industry which I hope to pursue in the future. Because the Plano Mayor’s program is so diverse and ranges from nonprofit work to corporate opportunities for a variety of industries, I thought it would be the perfect experience to face new change. Participating in this program has opened so many new doors to networking, professional environments, and engaging myself in different communities. At the Plano Chamber of Commerce, I hope to extend that same mindset to such a thriving community.
2. Tell us about your community involvement.
Growing up in Plano, I was exposed to so many amazing communities and it became important to me to have the opportunity to give back. As an Asian American, one of my core inspirations has always been my parents and their experiences immigrating to the United States. In my freshman year of high school, I joined a nonprofit organization, Citizens of Tomorrow, to tutor English to international students on a weekly basis in hopes of sharing the educational resources that I have been privileges to grow up with. Through this organization, I have been able to connect with various kids across the world and share my culture as well as learn from theirs. Since then, I’ve found a passion in education and impacting younger generations of children. With this, I helped start a nonprofit called the Young Voices Assembly which is devoted to teaching kids public speaking and providing them with the resources to build confidence in communication. Having outreached to various childcare programs, specifically those in underprivileged areas, YVA has sought to encourage advocacy and emphasize the importance of public speaking for tomorrow’s leaders. I have also been involved within my church community, frequently volunteering at food banks such as Grace Bridge with my church’s youth group.
3. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In 5 years, I see myself graduating from university with a degree in business, specifically marketing or merchandising. From a young age, I had always been interested in the fashion industry as a bridge between artistic pursuit and commercial influence. After graduating, I would love to use my degree to find a job within the luxury industry and further pursue my passions. I would also love to continue advocating for equity and inclusion, especially in spaces such as fashion where minorities are seldom seen.
4. What do you hope to learn while interning at the Plano Chamber of Commerce?
At the Plano Chamber of Commerce, I hope to primarily learn how commercial communities connect with each other and those around them. Internship at the Plano Chamber of Commerce is not only unique in gaining insight into professional environments, but also in networking and meeting different business through the myriads of events and opportunities the Chamber provides. I also hope to garner more experience in corporate culture, managing business relations, office life, as well as collaboration within the local economic landscape. Through so many valuable connections, events, and passionate staff, I am sure this interning experience will provide a plethora of learning opportunities and heighten my exposure to corporate logistics and the business world.
