Breana was a Talent Search participant, a Duke TIP seasonal staff member, and now works for Duke University. She filled us in on how her time at TIP impacted her and helped her get to where she is today.
- What was your role at TIP? I worked as an Office Assistant in 2008 at the Appalachian State site, and then as Operations Coordinator in 2015 at Duke East.
- What initially interested you about the position? In 2008, it was part of my NC Teaching Fellows summer internship, but I chose to do the TIP internship because TIP sent me mail and called me since I was eight years old, and I wanted to be involved. In 2015, I remembered how much I enjoyed working for TIP in 2008, and I had a summer free, so I applied. I was interested in being part of TIP in any way during the summer, and I am good at logistics.
- Do you have a favorite memory of your time at TIP? Our admin team meetings almost always involved lots of laughter and great teamwork. In both my experiences, I had excellent directors and main office supervisors. I think the evening programs for the kids were my favorite, though—from baking peach cobbler with TIPsters to handing out snow cones while they dressed up in costumes (some dressed as Godzilla and a building). The creativity and fun were very life-giving.
- How do you think that your time spent at TIP impacted you personally and/or professionally? I know that my time in 2008 helped me with teaching and not being afraid to work with students when I became a teacher. In 2015, I was in graduate school and am now working as a minister at Duke University. The operations coordinator position not only allowed me to grow in my administrative skills, but it also gave me the confidence (after doing that airport schedule four times!) to handle almost any administrative problem I will face—including power dynamics and event planning.
- If someone you knew was applying to work at TIP, what advice would you give them? Just be yourself. TIP is a fast-paced, energetic environment, but it is one of the most supportive, impactful environments you can encounter, especially for summer jobs. Once a TIPster or TIP staff person, always a TIPster/staff person.